VITAL WorkLife

Physician Peer Coach and Consulting Physician

GR Coaching and Consulting

Founder and Executive Coach

ChristianaCare

Clinical Faculty, Department of Medicine

Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency Program

Associate Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency Program

Program Director, Transitional Year Residency Program

US Army

Associate Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency Program, Tripler Army Medical Center

Chief Resident, Department of Medicine, Tripler Army Medical Center

Resident Physician, Department of Medicine, Tripler Army Medical Center

Concur Technologies

Senior Consultant

Systems and Computer Technology

Product Consultant

I am an executive coach who empowers high-achieving professionals to elevate their leadership, embrace transitions, and thrive through change.

Change is hard, especially for high achievers who hold themselves to exceptionally high standards and value stability while often grappling with fear of failure.  

However, transitions don’t have to be daunting. Coaching can provide the tools and mindset to confidently navigate change with purpose and joy.

As your coach, I will partner with you through life's twists and turns, transforming these transitions into opportunities for growth and fulfillment. Through one-on-one coaching and tailored leadership development programming, I foster holistic personal and professional growth through every step of the journey.

--

My Story:

My story is filled with many unique chapters. In short, over the course of my career I’ve been a consultant, physician, military officer, healthcare leader, medical education leader, and professional coach -- often wearing three or more of these hats at the same time. Along the way, I’ve found the most joy in providing inspiring leadership through change and helping high-achieving individuals successfully navigate transitions and challenges. I look forward to utilizing my deep expertise in leadership, professional development, and coaching to help you elevate your leadership and thrive through change.

Gretchen Rickards

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁.

Today marks 13 years of marriage to my husband, Nealanjon (Neal) Das.

Our origin story breaks every workplace romance rule. He was my attending during residency, though the dynamic was far from romantic — I actually considered him the second scariest attending in the entire program. We didn’t start dating until after I graduated and stayed on as staff, and we fell in love against the backdrop of Hawaii.

But this post isn’t about how we met. It’s about a moment that changed everything.

During COVID, when I was physically and emotionally depleted but still pushing through, Neal had the courage to tell me I wasn’t OK. He also suggested I try the free physician peer coaching offered through my institution.

That one conversation opened the door to getting the support I needed and eventually led me to my purpose in coaching.

If not for that suggestion, I doubt I would have sought help on my own. The physician mentality of pushing through at all costs, never showing weakness, and always putting work and patients first, was deeply ingrained — even as a leader who regularly suggested wellbeing resources to others.

Over the years, we’ve navigated two children, two cats, seven moves, parental illness, breast cancer, a craniotomy, six job changes, and two major career transitions, and I can’t imagine a more supportive partner every step of the way.

In leadership circles, we celebrate mentors and sponsors, but we rarely acknowledge the partners who make our work possible — the ones who see us clearly even when we can’t see ourselves, and love us enough to tell us hard truths.

Neal, I’m grateful for you beyond words. Here’s to lucky 13 and many more.

Leadership and Transitions Coach | Physician | Educator | Lifelong Learner

𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝘄𝗿𝗮𝗽.

After a few days of recovery and reflection, I’m finally putting words to an unforgettable weekend.

Our inaugural 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘞𝘢𝘺 𝘙𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 brought eleven women physicians together from across the country, representing different specialties and career stages, for a meaningful blend of leadership development, well-being, and community in Chadds Ford, PA.

When Diane W. Shannon, MD, MPH and I created this retreat, our guiding intention was this: 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘥, 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵. And based on what participants shared, many did.

The magic happened in the small group conversations, the honest stories shared over meals, and the space to pause and reconnect with what matters most. Many participants shared that they left with more clarity, stronger boundaries, new tools, and renewed confidence. Perhaps most powerfully, they left feeling part of a supportive community of women physicians and reminded that they aren’t alone.

To the remarkable women who joined us, thank you. Your openness and generosity shaped the entire experience. And sincere thanks to the Fairville Inn, InJest Events, and Laura Robinson for helping bring this retreat to life.

We’re already planning the next Lead Your Way Retreat for October 2026 at the same location. ✨ If you want priority updates as we finalize plans, feel free to reach out.

#WomenPhysicians #WomenInMedicine #PhysicianLeadership #PhysicianWellbeing #LeadershipDevelopment

“𝗜 𝗻𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱.”

I recently caught up with a former coaching client, a woman physician I worked with nearly three years ago as she was preparing to negotiate a new contract. Back then, we focused on the fundamentals: knowing what she wanted, asking for it clearly, and trusting her own value.

Fast forward to today. Because of a family move, she needed to navigate another job transition. When we spoke a few months ago, I encouraged her to consider building in some time off between roles (if financially feasible) to create space for her and her young family to settle and reset.

She confidently negotiated for that and so much more, including:
✔️ A start date of her choosing, with several months off in between
✔️ A significantly higher salary than the initial offer
✔️ A signing bonus
✔️ An administrative role and title with protected time to do it well

She was glowing as she shared the news and expressed gratitude for the groundwork we laid together years ago.

She used the skills she built through coaching to design the job that fits the season she’s in now.

That’s the staying power of coaching: an empowered mindset, tools that last, and a career built with intention.

#LeadershipDevelopment #NegotiationSkills #LeadershipCoaching #SustainableLeadership

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𝗪𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝘅 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱, 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.

Last January, my family bought this “unplug” box on Etsy. We came up with the tagline together: 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘞𝘪-𝘍𝘪.

It’s been sitting on a shelf most of the year, but that phrase has become our family code for “Put down the device and be present with us.”

On a recent Saturday, I set an intention to be more present, so we finally put the box to use and ended up having an impromptu digital detox.

What unfolded felt almost magical and reminded me that connection doesn’t always require more time — just more intention.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 — 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀.

What tools or practices help you reset and reconnect?

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸, 𝗜 𝘀𝗮𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Last Tuesday, my 12-year-old daughter was almost hit by a car while crossing to her bus stop. The stop sits on a busy road with poor visibility, made even more challenging by recent construction that has changed traffic patterns near our home. Needless to say, it was a frightening moment for both of us.

At 7:30 a.m., I called the school. By pure chance, the 6th grade principal, Ms. Katie King, picked up. She listened, empathized, and immediately connected me with the district’s transportation director, Mr. Tom Jenkins.

When I couldn’t reach Mr. Jenkins by phone, I sent an email. At 4:30 p.m., he called me back, agreed the situation was unsafe, and took immediate action. By the next morning, the bus stop had been moved to the end of our driveway.

Two days later, Ms. King followed up to express her concern and make sure everything had been resolved.

Listening, empathy, decisive action, accountability, follow through, and strong communication skills were present in every step of this experience.

The entire situation left my daughter feeling safe, our family feeling heard, and me grateful to be part of a district where compassionate, responsive, values-driven leadership isn’t just talked about – it’s practiced and role modeled.

I am proud to be part of Kennett Consolidated School District and so appreciative of the leadership team at Kennett Middle School.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆?

#leadership #leadershipinaction #gratitude

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JSESSIONID

Kennett Consolidated School District

𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻?
You might not need more hours — you might need stronger boundaries.

I’ve had boundaries on the brain this week. They’ve come up in multiple coaching sessions and were also a key theme in my recent leadership retreat.

When the topic arises, it can feel a little nebulous. Here’s how I frame it with clients:

Boundaries aren’t about shutting people out. They’re about giving yourself permission to decide who and what gets access to your energy.

𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂:
→ Protect your well-being and mental space
→ Strengthen relationships through mutual respect
→ Increase focus and effectiveness at work
→ Build confidence and strengthen your leadership presence

Without them, we risk resentment, overcommitment, and exhaustion.

𝗦𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁?
Pay attention to the moments when you feel resentful or emotionally drained. Those feelings are data points — clues indicating where a boundary may be missing or unclear.

The goal isn’t to build walls; it’s to open doors with intention.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀?

#Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #SustainableLeadership #Boundaries

𝗪𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 — 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀.

But if you're a healthcare professional building a business, exploring a pivot, or interviewing for non-clinical roles, your network matters more than ever.

That’s why I’m presenting:
𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟭𝟬𝟭: 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹
📅 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 5 𝘢𝘵 8 𝘗𝘔 𝘌𝘛
🎤 SoMeDocs(Doctors on Social Media) 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢, 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 & 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦

I’ll share practical, timeless strategies to take the pain out of networking — especially for healthcare professionals navigating growth and transitions.

𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹: The conference is offering 20% off. I’ll put the course link and the discount code in the comments.

Hope to see you there!

Open article: Networking 101: Timeless Principles for Today’s Healthcare Professional | SoMeDocs: Doctors on Social Media by doctorsonsocialmedia.com

Networking 101: Timeless Principles for Today’s Healthcare Professional | SoMeDocs: Doctors on Social Media

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.

This Giving Tuesday, I’m supporting the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation 
 — an organization dedicated to protecting the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare workers.

As an Ambassador, I’ve seen the impact they make through meaningful advocacy, education, and efforts to remove the stigma around help-seeking.

If you're looking to give today, I hope you'll consider this important mission. Because when we care for the people who care for us, we strengthen the entire foundation of healthcare.

𝘈 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴.

#GivingTuesday #PhysicianWellbeing #CareForTheCaregivers

Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation

CoachHub - The digital coaching platform

Featured on CoachHub’s official website as a Fortune 500 Expert Coach. Recognized for fostering psychological safety and clarity in executive leadership. Selected among a global network of coaches for my impact with senior leaders and Fortune 500 clients.

Featured on CoachHub’s global website as a Fortune 500 Expert Coach.”

As a Bilingual Executive & Leadership Coach, I collaborate with global leaders to drive meaningful change in their personal and professional lives. With a focus on tailored, scalable coaching programs, I am dedicated to unlocking the full potential of individuals and teams through strategic leadership, inclusivity, and innovative coaching practices.

Key Responsibilities:

Executive Coaching: Tailoring coaching for senior leaders, focusing on leadership, strategic thinking, and performance, helping them navigate complex challenges confidently.

Client Impact: Consistently recognized for exceptional client satisfaction across all levels and sectors at CoachHub, with ongoing positive feedback highlighting the significant improvements clients achieve in leadership and team performance.

Bilingual Coaching: Conducting coaching sessions in multiple languages.

Innovative Methods: Implementing coaching strategies using CoachHub’s tools to create sustainable behavioral change and measurable improvements in leadership and team performance.

Certified Assessments: Certified Hogan and SuccessFinder assessor, specializing in delivering personalized assessments that enhance leadership capabilities.


Achievements:

Featured in CoachHub’s 2025 Q1 Global Newsletter for shaping AIMY™, the AI coaching assistant. Selected for the AI Advisory Board and recognized for contributions to ethical, human-centered integration of AI in coaching. Represented CoachHub at Nasdaq during the unveiling event.

Global Impact: Coaching executives from diverse backgrounds, enhancing leadership effectiveness, cross-cultural collaboration, and strategic execution.

Measurable Outcomes: Implementing coaching interventions with quantifiable improvements in leadership and team cohesion, tracked through CoachHub’s proprietary tools.

Bilingual Executive & LeadershipCoach

* One of only two coaches globally selected to join CoachHub’s AI Advisory Board, guiding the ethical and human-centered integration of AI in coaching.

*Featured in CoachHub’s 2025 Q1 Global Newsletter for shaping AIMY™, the AI coaching assistant, bringing a values-based lens to its design and integration.
	
*Represented CoachHub at NASDAQ during the global unveiling of AIMY™ — a proud moment highlighting my leadership at the intersection of coaching, innovation, and impact.

AI Advisory Board Member | CoachHub

Accredited Executive Coaching 

As CEO of Accredited Executive Coaching, I am committed to driving global leadership transformation by cultivating environments where leaders think boldly, act intentionally, and grow sustainably. With over 25 years in senior roles, including Fortune 500 leadership, I partner with executives and teams worldwide, guiding them through complexity with a strategic, human-centered approach.

In addition to leading my firm, I serve as an ICF Brand Ambassador, advocating for the highest standards in coaching excellence and leadership impact. I am also a member of CoachHub’s AI Consulting Group, working alongside global experts to ensure that innovation enhances—not replaces—the relational and ethical foundations of coaching.

My work integrates cutting-edge insights, deep listening, and reflective partnership to unlock leadership potential at every level. Whether navigating organizational change, executive decision-making, or team dynamics, I create a space for clarity, strategy, and action—where leaders don’t just adapt to change, but define it.

I believe leadership is an evolving practice, and coaching is its most powerful catalyst. By fostering trust, challenging assumptions, and expanding perspectives, I help leaders design their path forward with confidence, purpose, and measurable impact.

Chief Executive Officer

Nova Southeastern University

Served as an adjunct faculty member, contracted to teach undergraduate students and support their academic success during their first year of college. Focused on fostering personal development, team building, and effective teamwork to help students navigate the challenges of higher education.

Skills: Personal Development · Team Building · Teamwork · Higher Education · Adult Education

Adjunct Professor

Spearheaded the recruitment and admissions strategy for the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, overseeing a student body of 4,500.
- Cultivated an environment of psychological safety within the recruitment team, encouraging open communication, collaboration, and the sharing of innovative ideas, which led to significant improvements in the recruitment process.
- Drove the transformation of recruitment processes, resulting in a notable 8% increase in new student enrollment during a challenging pandemic environment.
- Collaborated closely with the marketing department to optimize advertising strategies, resulting in a more efficient allocation of resources and a higher return on investment.
- Recognized for creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, ensuring that the recruitment team consistently exceeded targets and delivered outstanding results.

Executive Director of Recruitment

Served as the lead marketing strategist, recruitment expert, and student experience leader for one of the largest schools of education in the United States with more than 8,000 students in approximately 40 countries.  

Recruited by the Associate Provost to lead the Fischer College of Education which was losing significant market share and needed a marketing strategist, recruitment expert, and student focused leader with a proven track record in the university eco-system to execute a multi-channel marketing effort designed to support new student recruitment targets. 

Strategic thinker who translated big picture marketing vision to implementable operational plans, a dot-connector who understands how marketing efforts work together to build the brand and advance the University's enrollment goals. 

Coached directors and managers to support and develop staff in marketing, admissions and recruitment areas to successfully exceed new and existing student targets. 

Managed relationships and mobilized resources to meet goals, while spotting and mitigating potential issues. 

Regularly provided excellent counsel to the Dean, Provost, and colleagues across 17 colleges in the NSU system. 

A team player and doer. I worked collaboratively with diverse national and international groups inside and outside of the University at all levels. 

Experienced in working in team-centric operations. 

Calm and intentional under pressure. I managed very stressful situations in a solution-oriented way with a coaching style and "can do" attitude.  

Managed numerous expectations from a diverse leadership team in a proactive and consultative manner.

Executive Director of Marketing, Recruitment, & Admissions

Led the marketing and recruitment efforts for the Division of Applied Interdisciplinary Studies, successfully overseeing a diverse portfolio of academic programs and increasing overall enrollment by an impressive 20% across multiple semesters.
- Established psychological safety as a cornerstone of the team’s culture, allowing team members to voice concerns, share new ideas, and experiment with innovative approaches without fear of negative consequences.
- Strategically managed and developed a dynamic team, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation that resulted in improved recruitment processes and higher student retention rates.
- Directed comprehensive marketing initiatives that included digital campaigns, partnerships with educational influencers, and targeted outreach efforts, driving significant growth in program visibility and engagement.
- Achieved a series of enrollment milestones, contributing to the division's financial growth and the successful launch of new academic programs, while enhancing the division’s reputation as a leader in interdisciplinary education.

Division Director of Marketing, Recruitment, and Admissions

University of Phoenix

Experienced Vice President with a strong track record of managing a $50+ million budget, overseeing 4,500 students, 150 staff members, and 400 active faculty members. As a senior leadership team member, excelled in coordinating cross-functional activities to ensure a thriving team structure and exceeding shareholders' expectations.

Key Achievements:

Financial Oversight: Successfully managed profit and loss reports, exceeding budget and prior year profit expectations by 12% over the annual plan and 9% ahead of the prior year.

Operational Excellence: Created a culture of accountability and integrity across operations, finance, academic affairs, enrollment, admissions, and regulatory boards, surpassing goals in all five learning centers in South Florida.

Enrollment Growth: Exceeded total enrollment plan by 5% of the annual plan and 21% ahead of the prior year.

Community Representation: Represented the organization in key relationships with business, government, and community stakeholders within the campus market.

Academic Quality: Actively assessed and monitored academic reports to enhance academic quality through classroom experience, interaction, and delivery.

Core Competencies:

Innovative Leadership: Provided innovative leadership with a "coaching style" that generated alignment across the University's ecosystem.

Strategic Relationship Management: Skilled in managing key relationships with stakeholders in the business, government, and community sectors.

Professional Attributes:

Leadership and Accountability: Proven ability to lead with integrity, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.
Analytical and Proactive: Demonstrated analytical skills and proactive approach in managing financial and operational goals.
Stakeholder Engagement: Strong track record of engaging with diverse stakeholders to represent and advance organizational interests.

Vice President, Florida

Vice President - Texas


Dynamic Vice President with a proven ability to oversee a $35+ million budget, manage 3,200 students, 85 staff members, and 250 active faculty members. Excelled in driving enrollment growth, operational excellence, and strategic leadership in the Texas region.

Key Achievements:

Enrollment Success: Exceeded total enrollment (new and existing students) by 15% of budget and 26% ahead of the prior year.
Top Performance: Earned the #1 spot for a team in Enrollment and Operations in the SW region for two consecutive years by surpassing all key profit and loss metrics.
Rapid Expansion: Launched a new learning center in El Paso, Texas, which became the fastest-growing campus in the SW region within six months.
Leadership Development: Coached and mentored 13 team members who became department leads within six months of opening the new learning center in El Paso, Texas.

Core Competencies:

Financial Oversight: Expert in managing profit and loss reports to ensure financial targets are met and exceeded.
Strategic Growth: Skilled in launching and expanding learning centers to drive rapid regional growth.
Team Leadership: Proven ability to develop and mentor team members, fostering a culture of leadership and excellence.
Operational Excellence: Strong track record in achieving top performance in enrollment and operations.
Professional Attributes:

Innovative Leadership: Provided strategic leadership with a focus on innovation and results-driven approaches.
Analytical and Proactive: Demonstrated ability to analyze data and proactively manage financial and operational goals.
Stakeholder Engagement: Engaged effectively with diverse stakeholders to support and advance organizational objectives.
Growth and Development: Committed to continuous improvement and professional development for self and team members.

Vice President, Texas

Opened a start up campus in Juarez, Mexico eight months earlier than expected for the University of Phoenix.
Acquired state and federal accreditation as well as waiver of Mexican Foreign investment restrictions in less than 17 months.  
Collaborated with a law firm representing Apollo in Mexico to launch the first dual MBA offering in Juarez, Mexico from a profit institution in the United States. 
Diligently earned the trust of the immigration officers to acquire six teaching visas to launch the MBA
program to meet aggressive deadlines in less than 3 months.
Interpreter for colleagues from University of Phoenix in meetings with the Secretary of Education and
accrediting officers.
Hired campus leadership team and executed all sales, operations, and enrollment training in Juarez,
Mexico.
Earned faculty status in Mexico to teach business courses in 2005.

Vice President, Mexico

Xerox

As a sales and operational professional managed the largest accounts in South Florida ( FPL, Ryder, Office Depot) and generated double digit profits for the center 4 consecutive years.  Responsible for outside business-to-business operations, sales, and managing the entire sales cycle, gaining new market share, and growing existing accounts.  Earned the "Operational Excellence Award " for implementing the first "Operational Excellence" operational eco-system in the United States with the support of the operations and sales team.

Senior Client Account Manager, Florida


I help executive leaders and teams unlock transformation through strategy, clarity, and presence. With over 25 years in senior leadership roles, I bring a track record of driving growth, innovation, and cultural transformation across Fortune 500 companies and leading universities. My experience spans Xerox, the University of Phoenix, and Nova Southeastern University, where I led large-scale initiatives that delivered measurable results and lasting impact.

Contributing Coach – AIMY AI Coaching Platform (CoachHub)
Bridging ICF-aligned coaching with emerging AI innovation for scalable impact

Key Achievements:
	•	Fortune 500 Leadership: At Xerox, I led high-impact initiatives in sales and operations, resulting in multi-million-dollar partnerships and significant team expansions.
	•	Higher Education Transformation: At NSU, I spearheaded the turnaround of the university’s largest school, overseeing 4,500 students. Through strategic partnerships and four major reorganizations, I enhanced operational excellence and fostered a culture of transparency and leadership alignment.
	•	Pioneering International Education: I established the Instituto de Estudios Superiores for the University of Phoenix in Mexico, collaborating directly with the  Secretary of Education. This initiative expanded educational opportunities, and I successfully recruited and built a full team to support the institute’s mission. Additionally, I was among the select few granted approval to teach in Mexico’s MBA Dual program.

These experiences have reinforced my belief that empowering leaders to think expansively and act with clarity is essential for organizational success.

As the CEO of Accredited Executive Coaching, I am dedicated full-time to partnering with senior leaders to unlock their potential and foster sustainable leadership practices. My coaching philosophy centers on the understanding that leaders inherently possess the insights they need; my role is to facilitate strategic reflection and impactful action.

In addition to my coaching practice, I serve as an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Brand Ambassador, promoting the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in the coaching profession. I also contribute to shaping the future of coaching as a member of the AI Consulting Group for CoachHub, collaborating with experts to ensure that technological advancements enhance—rather than replace—the ethical and relational foundations of transformational leadership.






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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Gretchen Rickards's LinkedIn Performance

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