GRACE under pressure: Mary Olson-Menzel

Mary Olson-Menzel has over 30 years of leadership across media, tech, healthcare, and many other industries globally. She is the Founder and CEO of MVP Executive Development, a national leadership, coaching, and organizational management consultancy with offices in Connecticut, New York, and Illinois. Her clients range from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups with a broad reach of industries from FinTech to Football (the NFL). As a seasoned executive leadership coach, Mary works with both companies and individuals to unlock the potential that improves business performance and catalyzes growth. Her coaching methods bring a fresh lens to business and a perspective that nurtures teamwork and helps drive results through grace, empathy, and "Humane Leadership". 

Before starting her company in 2012, Mary was a partner at two leading global executive search firms. She also spent a decade at Tribune Company in Chicago as National Managing Director of Talent, leading a team of 40+ human capital professionals. This is where her understanding and expertise in recruiting and coaching were honed. She worked closely with 20 newspapers, 27 television stations, and hundreds of digital assets across the country to attract and retain the best and the brightest. In her early years, Mary worked in both the tech space and media and entertainment, where she started her career as a television reporter. 

Driven by an innate curiosity and a deep passion for her work, Mary has dedicated her life to helping leaders at all levels channel what “lights them up” and inspires them into more fulfilling and successful personal and professional journeys. Mary earned her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Public Relations from Illinois State University.

Mary currently lives in Westchester, NY, with her husband, three kids, and their Goldendoodle, Wrigley. She is a part of Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches, which brings together the world's leading executive coaches, consultants, speakers, authors, iconic leaders, and entrepreneurs. Mary volunteers for various charities locally as well. Her newest book is “What Lights You Up? Illuminate Your Path and Take the Next Big Step in Your Career.” www.maryolsonmenzel.com