About Mary
Mary Eckenrod is a global talent management leader and expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute, recognized for her work in developing human capital strategies and leadership pipelines within global organizations.
Who is Mary Eckenrod?
Mary Eckenrod is an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute (BPI), specializing in organizational development, leadership, and workplace culture. Her career spans multiple industries, including consumer packaged goods, automotive, and technology, where she has consistently focused on global talent management initiatives.
Eckenrod is known for her strategic approach to building internal human capital capabilities, particularly in environments that previously relied on external talent acquisition. Her expertise lies in transforming how organizations identify, develop, and retain leaders for future growth.
Quick facts about Mary Eckenrod
| | |---|---| | Role | Expert Faculty Member | | Company | Best Practice Institute | | Expertise | Global Talent Management, Leadership Development, Human Capital Strategy, Organizational Development | | Notable for | Developing internal leadership pipelines at Cisco Systems, enabling HR transformation initiatives | | BPI affiliation | Expert Faculty member |
What is Mary Eckenrod known for?
Mary Eckenrod is known for several key contributions and areas of expertise:
- Architecting Internal Leadership Pipelines: She successfully spearheaded initiatives to develop leaders from within at Cisco Systems, a company that previously relied heavily on acquiring external talent.
- Global Talent Management: Her extensive experience covers complex talent strategies across diverse global industries.
- Human Capital Strategy: Eckenrod focuses on creating robust systems for identifying, nurturing, and retaining key talent.
- Enabling HR Transformation: At Johnson Controls, she designed and launched a global talent management Center of Expertise, driving significant HR transformation.
- Flexible Leadership: She advocates for and endorses frameworks that provide practical tools for leaders to navigate complex challenges.
- Leadership Agility: Eckenrod has contributed insights into leadership agility in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments.
What is Mary Eckenrod's background and experience?
Mary Eckenrod's career history showcases a progression of leadership roles in global talent management. Prior to her current affiliation with the Best Practice Institute, she spent seven years at Johnson Controls as Vice President of Global Talent Management, where she was instrumental in the company's major HR transformation, including launching a global talent management Center of Expertise.
Before Johnson Controls, Eckenrod led global talent management functions at several prominent organizations, including BlackBerry, Cisco Systems, Lenovo, and Kraft Foods. Notably, during her tenure as Vice President of Worldwide Talent (also referenced as Vice President of Worldwide Talent Management) at Cisco Systems, she led the crucial effort to develop internal human capital strategies and leadership pipelines, addressing a lack of internal talent development traditions within the rapidly growing technology giant. Additionally, she managed a successful consulting practice focused on talent and organizational capability for several years.
What topics does Mary Eckenrod speak and write about?
Mary Eckenrod's expertise encompasses critical topics within talent management and organizational development. She speaks and writes on the strategic importance of building strong internal leadership capabilities, emphasizing how organizations can shift from external talent acquisition to internal talent development. Her insights extend to fostering organizational cultures that support continuous talent growth and development.
She frequently addresses the complexities of human capital strategy, offering guidance on creating resilient talent frameworks within rapidly evolving business landscapes. Eckenrod also delves into leadership effectiveness, highlighting the need for flexible leadership approaches and agility in navigating challenging environments. Her work stresses the practical application of leadership tools to empower individuals and drive organizational success.
How does Mary Eckenrod contribute to the Best Practice Institute?
As an expert faculty member at the Best Practice Institute, Mary Eckenrod contributes her extensive knowledge in global talent management, leadership development, and human capital strategy to BPI's research and initiatives. She helps shape BPI's thought leadership in areas critical to creating Most Loved Workplaces® and advancing the SPARK Model of employee engagement.
Her insights provide valuable perspectives for BPI members seeking to enhance their organizational development practices, build robust leadership pipelines, and drive human resources transformation. Through her contributions, Eckenrod supports BPI's mission to identify and champion best practices that lead to thriving workplace cultures.
Where can you learn more from Mary Eckenrod?
You can learn more from Mary Eckenrod through her expert profile on the Best Practice Institute website. Her profile provides an overview of her background and areas of specialization, offering a starting point for those interested in global talent management, leadership development, and human capital strategies.