Her Story
About Aimee
Aimee Close is a seasoned people and culture executive with more than 30 years of experience leading talent transformation, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness across multiple industries. As Director of Talent at Goodwill Houston, she oversees enterprise-wide talent strategies that support the organization's mission of empowering individuals through education, employment, and career opportunities. Her leadership spans the entire employee lifecycle, including workforce planning, talent acquisition, employee experience, performance management, succession planning, and leadership development, with a strong emphasis on building inclusive, high-performing organizations where people and businesses thrive together.
Throughout her career, Aimee has held senior leadership positions with organizations including BP, Buckeye Partners, FleetPride, and CapRock Communications, where she successfully led large-scale HR transformation initiatives, organizational development strategies, and global talent programs. Her expertise combines Agile methodologies, change management, project leadership, and human-centered coaching to help organizations navigate growth and transformation. Having worked across financial services, telecommunications, transportation, oil and gas, and the nonprofit sector, she has built a reputation for aligning talent strategies with business objectives while fostering cultures of continuous learning, innovation, and operational excellence. Her credentials include certifications in Agile, Scrum, Lean Six Sigma, IBM Design Thinking, professional coaching, and organizational development, supported by a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.
Beyond her executive responsibilities, Aimee is a passionate advocate for leadership development and workforce empowerment. She regularly shares insights on coaching, performance feedback, and developing future leaders, while supporting initiatives that create equitable access to employment and career advancement. Active in organizations such as SHRM and the Association for Talent Development, she is committed to advancing the HR profession through mentorship, collaboration, and thought leadership. Guided by a philosophy that growth comes from embracing discomfort and continuous learning, Aimee remains dedicated to helping individuals unlock their potential while enabling organizations to achieve sustainable success through their people.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Aimee
01What do you attribute your success to?
Not being afraid to fail and accepting that failure is part of learning. I am a learner at heart, naturally curious, with a willingness to try new things and recognize that learning involves imperfection.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to never be afraid of being uncomfortable. Growth and skill development happen when I step outside my comfort zone, embrace uncertainty, and accept the challenges that come with learning. Every uncomfortable experience is an opportunity to build resilience, expand my capabilities, and become a stronger professional.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to be open to saying yes to opportunities that offer meaningful learning experiences. Even if a role or challenge feels unfamiliar, it can help you develop new skills, expand your perspective, and build confidence. Every experience has the potential to shape your growth, so stay curious, embrace new opportunities, and never stop learning.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is bringing humanity back into human resources while maintaining profitability, as HR has lost its way due to profitability drivers. The biggest opportunity is for young professionals to challenge existing norms and for HR professionals to pursue certifications in Lean Six Sigma, systems thinking, and design thinking to become more strategic.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being compassionate, demonstrating empathy, and being fair. Also, don't be afraid to be uncomfortable and embrace it.
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