About Me
Gretchen Rickards
I've spent my career at the intersection of leadership, medicine, and education. Today, I bring those experiences together in my work as an executive coach.
My path to coaching
I've always been passionate about leadership and helping others reach their potential. My career began in technology consulting, helping organizations navigate major system changes and supporting employees as they adapted to new ways of working. That early experience was the beginning of a career spanning military service, medicine, and medical education, with leadership and professional development as consistent themes.
My time as an Army officer shaped my belief that leadership is both a privilege and a responsibility. Later, as an internal medicine residency program director, I especially valued the opportunity to support physicians in their professional development and help them navigate professional challenges. Leading through the COVID-19 pandemic also prompted me to reflect more deeply on the impact that leadership can have on individuals and organizational culture.
Executive coaching brings together the aspects of my career I've found most meaningful. It allows me to draw on my experience as a physician, educator, and leader while helping others develop greater self-awareness, navigate challenges, and expand their leadership effectiveness.
What Shapes My Approach
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A Physician's Lens
My medical training has shaped how I approach complex challenges.
I listen closely, look for patterns, consider the broader context, and ask questions that help uncover what may be contributing to a situation. I bring that same curiosity and analytical approach to coaching.
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Firsthand Leadership
Experience I've held leadership responsibilities in both military and civilian healthcare environments. I understand firsthand the competing priorities, difficult decisions, organizational dynamics, and responsibility for others that come with leadership.
I've also experienced how much thoughtful leadership can influence the effectiveness, development, and experience of those being led.
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An Educator's Perspective
As a residency program director and physician educator, I spent years mentoring, teaching, and supporting the professional development of the next generation of physicians.
My background in adult education and curriculum development shapes how I help leaders make connections, explore new perspectives, and apply insights to their own leadership challenges, whether through one-on-one coaching or interactive workshops and retreats.
Credentials
Education & Credentials
BA, Psychology, Princeton University
MD, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Internal Medicine Residency, Tripler Army Medical Center
Fellowship in General Internal Medicine, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
MPH, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Professional Certified Coach (PCC), International Coaching Federation
Certified Professional Coach (CPC), iPEC
Hogan Assessments Certified
Center for Creative Leadership 360 Assessment Certified
Certified Diversity Coach
Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Kennett Collaborative
Ambassador, Dr. Lorna Breen Foundation
Ambassador, Women in Medicine
On a Personal Note…
A Little More About Me
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our two daughters, and friends.
Hawaii holds a special place in my heart. We lived there for seven years during my military service, and it's where my husband and I met, married, and started our family.
I'm an avid reader, usually with several books going at once, and I enjoy writing as well. In recent years, I've returned to piano lessons, taken up Mahjong, and finally started taking improv classes after wanting to try them for more than 20 years.
Let’s Connect
Let's start a conversation
I'd welcome the opportunity to learn more about your leadership goals or the development needs of your organization and explore whether coaching might be a good fit.