Tamara Patrick
Tamara Patrick is a seasoned Strategic Talent Practices Executive with over two decades of experience in learning and development, leadership, and organizational transformation. She holds a Master’s degree in Organization Development and Leadership from Fielding Graduate University and has built a career activating strategy through leader capability and management systems. Tamara’s expertise spans leadership development, talent management, culture change, experience design, and executive coaching, enabling her to drive meaningful impact across organizations.
Tamara retired from corporate leadership in September 2024 after a distinguished career that included 26 years at Whirlpool Corporation, culminating as Head of Global Learning and Development, and senior leadership roles at Nike, where she served as Former, Global Head of Global Learning & Development. Throughout her career, she has led enterprise learning programs from frontline employees to executive ranks, fostering leadership depth, human-centered skills, and a culture of continuous growth. Her work has emphasized innovation, emotional resilience, intuition, and practical workplace readiness in the context of an AI-influenced world.
Currently, Tamara serves as an advisor to Angus Fletcher’s Primal Intelligence initiative and collaborates pro bono with the University of Arizona to prototype career-readiness programs for undergraduate and graduate students. She has also contributed in founding and advisory roles with First Tee of Benton Harbor. Committed to mentoring, continuous self-investment, and cultivating human-centered capabilities, Tamara embodies a philosophy of accountability, self-awareness, and growth-oriented feedback, making her a trusted leader, mentor, and advisor across professional and educational communities.
• Evidence Based Coaching Certificate, Coaching
• Leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Immunity to Change: Individual and Teams
• Hogan Asessment
• Holy Cross College - AA
• St. Joseph Public Schools
• The First Tee of Benton Harbor
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the guidance and support I’ve received from mentors and family, as well as my own commitment to personal growth. I have been fortunate to benefit from mentoring programs such as Career Readiness at the University of Arizona and the guidance of Felicia Mayo at Nike. Investing in myself through continuous learning and development, while also giving back by supporting programs like Girls on the Run, has been central to my journey. Outside of my professional life, I find balance and joy in spending time with my grandson, cooking, and engaging in strategic games like chess and board games, which continually sharpen my focus and creativity.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be prepared, ask the right questions, stake a claim in ambiguous assignments, check in with managers, deliver on time, be a team player who enables others, be coachable and keep learning.
Locations
Nike
Portland, OR 97210