Meet Penny Koch-Patterson

What led you to the world of executive coaching?

Many years ago, I learned that my top strength on the StrengthsFinder Assessment is Maximizer.  That’s when things just clicked, and I knew how best to align my career with my capabilities. At my core, I believe that when people maximize their skills and strengths, they can reach their full potential. That belief has guided me as a people leader, colleague, and coach. Coaching is about reaching one’s potential, and when my clients are ready to take the steps needed to reach their full potential, I’m there to walk with them every step of the way.

What do you bring to your coaching work?

I bring a toolbox full of resources and experience. That includes over 15 years in direct management roles, an MBA, a doctoral degree in leadership, and over 2,500 hours of coaching experience. I spent the first 20 years of my career working across industries such as tech, healthcare, non-profits, education, and startups. As a result, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t in organizational leaders across a variety of contexts. I bring this insight and direct experience to every engagement. 

I joined HLG as a coach in 2014, and over the years, I’ve come to believe that an “Inside Out” approach to coaching has the greatest impact on my clients. When we start with ourselves and our own awareness, we can then look outside ourselves to colleagues, teams, and eventually the system to bring about lasting change.

What’s your coaching philosophy?

I am deeply committed to my clients' success. I focus all my energy and attention on their goals, even as those goals evolve throughout our work together. I believe in meeting people where they are and equipping them with strategies that make a lasting impact.

What are you learning right now?

Every day starts with reading the headlines (from a range of sources), so I can better understand the landscape my clients operate in. But honestly, my best learning comes from my clients. Listening deeply to them gives me context, perspective, and a window into how leadership is evolving and where it’s staying the same.

Lately, I’ve been reading David Whyte's poetry and revisiting the timeless beauty of Mary Oliver’s work. I’m also diving into new insights from thought leaders like Adam Grant, Jennifer Garvey-Berger, and Bob Kegan.

What are you most proud of?

At home, I’m proud that no matter how full my days are, I sit down for a home-cooked meal with my family most nights. We do daily check-ins with me, my husband Ken, and our sons Henry and Charlie, and it helps us stay grounded and connected.

Professionally, I’m proud of my clients. The world isn’t designed for the kind of leadership we need today. Leading takes courage. It takes persistence. I’m proud of every client who has stepped up to meet the moment and lead with heart.

What’s something people might not know about you?

I love to bake from scratch. No store-bought shortcuts in my kitchen! I bake everything from kransekake to pavlova to French macarons, and my kids swear I make the best chocolate chip cookies in the world. Baking is one of the ways I unwind and bring joy to the people around me.

What keeps you grounded?

“When the heart is touched by direct experience, the mind may be challenged to change.” That quote from Fr. Peter Hans Kolvenbach reminds me that real transformation starts with connection. And that’s what I strive for with clients, with my family, and with the world around me.