Her Story
About Gwendolyn
Gwendolyn Bingham built a distinguished career over 38 years in the military, culminating in her retirement in 2019 as a three-star General Officer following a demanding tenure at the Pentagon as Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management. During her service, she also commanded the Tank-automotive and Armaments Lifecycle Management Command, developing deep expertise in strategic leadership, organizational development, talent and resource management, and global security operations. Since transitioning from active duty, she has channeled that experience into board governance and leadership consulting, currently serving as Independent Director for Accendra Health, Inc., and previously holding a director role with Owens & Minor. She also leads her own consulting practice, P B J & G, LLC, based in Austin, Texas.
Gwen holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Alabama, earned in 1981, along with two master's degrees: one in Management from Central Michigan University and another in National Defense Strategy and Resources from the National Defense University. Her contributions have been recognized with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2018, along with inductions into both the Army Materiel Command Hall of Fame and her branch's hall of fame. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she remains active in mentorship and public speaking, drawing on her wide-ranging leadership experience to support others navigating their own career paths.
A firm believer in the Golden Rule, Gwen leads with kindness, dignity, and respect, while placing equal emphasis on competence and confidence, principles she carried through many years of being the only woman, or the only minority woman, in professional settings. She credits her parents, family, mentors, and colleagues for laying the groundwork for her success and remains committed to paying that support forward, particularly to young women seeking guidance in leadership. Outside of her board and consulting work, she serves as a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and as Board Chair of Blue Star Families, reflecting her ongoing dedication to service beyond her military and corporate achievements.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Gwendolyn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I owe my success to more than my own effort alone. My parents and family gave me a strong foundation to build on, and throughout my journey I have been fortunate to have mentors, teachers, colleagues, advocates, and senior leaders who invested in me and supported my growth. I try to stay humble and always make it a point to acknowledge the people who helped make my success possible.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The advice that has stayed with me the longest came from my mother, who taught me to live by the Golden Rule: treat others the way you want to be treated. That principle has guided me from childhood through my college years, throughout my military career, and now into the corporate world. It's central to how I lead, because I believe every person deserves to be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women to invest in networking, to seek out encouragement, and to build strong mentorship relationships. I try to lead by example in this regard, making it a priority to check in on others, truly listen to them, and offer encouragement, especially when they're going through difficult moments or feeling unsupported.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In my board work, I approach challenges through preparation, collaboration, creative thinking, and optimism. I believe leaders need to do their homework, inspire and motivate the people around them, think beyond conventional solutions, and stay open to new approaches. I try to maintain a "glass half full" outlook, because I've found that a positive mindset helps move both people and organizations forward.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Kindness, dignity, respect, competence, and confidence are the values that ground my leadership. Throughout my career, I was often the only woman, or the only minority woman, in the room. Those experiences taught me the importance of walking into every space prepared, capable, and self-assured, while never losing sight of the respect I owe to others.
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