Rita F. Williams, PCC, CPCC, GCSC, EMBA
Coaching, Facilitation, and Consulting Experience
Great leaders walk the talk and model the way. Over my career, I’ve helped more than 8,000 business leaders unearth the tools they need to build on their strengths, trust their emotional intelligence, develop powerful teams, and achieve their personal, professional, and operational goals. Corporations are only as effective as their leaders.
A highly experienced executive and organizational development expert, I provide coaching, talent, and business development consulting services to mid-sized and large companies and nonprofits.
Leaders and middle managers often need to balance the organization’s needs with their needs and the needs of the people who report to them. Tied to their devices, they’re usually connected to work 24/7. They are concerned with work-life integration and have little time for reflection, self-care, and relaxation. Often, they become overwhelmed and burned out. I help them find clarity and move from feeling threatened to be challenged and transformational.
Leadership is my passion. Whether personally or professionally, as the two are closely intertwined, I help business leaders engage the strengths necessary to develop self-awareness, collaboration, agile teams, and a foundation for sound decision-making.
My unique approach offers an unusual blend of caring, compassion, and results-driven strategies that helps leaders move the needle nearer to their goals.
Business/Organizational Leadership Experience
I have experience in corporate, entrepreneurial, and nonprofit settings. Beginning with my banking career, I worked through the ranks to a senior-level cabinet position as Vice President, Human Resources. I became the first woman of African American descent to occupy that role at Ameritrust Bank(AKA Key Bank). After many years with Ameritrust, I launched The Innovative Group, a Business consulting practice focused on privately held family-owned businesses. I later joined JP Morgan Chase and then FedEx Ground. I retired from FedEx in 2019. In many roles, I have specialized in Diversity Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging, Talent Development, Coaching, Training, Business, and HR Consulting. Upon retirement, I launched a coaching practice, Coaching With Rita LLC. I have received many awards, including the JPMorgan/Chase Eagle and the FedEx 5 Star corporate awards for my work on Employee Engagement and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging initiatives. In addition, I am a Certified Professional Coach, Talent & Organizational Consultant, and Speaker for Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies.
Education and Training
I graduated from Notre Dame College with a Bachelor of Business Administration and an Executive Masters of Business Administration from Case Western Reserve University. I am a Professor at Notre Dame College, currently teaching Leadership/Management in the Masters Business Administration (MBA) program.
Licenses & Certifications include:
Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
Certified Gallup Strengths Coach
Certified Professional Coach
