As a coach and consultant, I bring curiosity and science to help clients excel.
Curiosity helps me engage with clients and uncover their unique issues and concerns. Science provides proven solutions and techniques for addressing them.
Curiosity is my superpower. It propelled me on a lifelong learning journey. That learning journey focused on unlocking the secrets of applying psychology and science to create an awesome workplace.
My curiosity netted me a doctorate in work-related psychology and years of leadership and talent management experience in corporate and consulting organizations. I apply that same curiosity to helping executive coaching clients explore their own strengths and challenges and career interests.
Powerful questions combined with data and science support executive coaching clients to develop and grow and overcome obstacles.
Education
After an undergraduate degree in psychology and history from Rice University, I completed a Master degree and a Doctorate in Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology from Michigan State University.
I also hold an ACC certification from the International Coach Federation (ICF).
My education prepared me to approach my work with sound psychological principles, data and critical thinking. I also developed an appreciation for the similarities and differences among people and how to support people in leveraging their own strengths to be successful.
Work experience
In my early career I worked for large and small consulting companies. My consulting experience included change management work, design of learning and assessment technology, research and development of leadership 360 and culture surveys and more.
I eventually moved into corporate America – first with PetSmart and then with Sysco – doing leadership development and talent management work. I coached countless executives during this time – with assessment feedback, through leadership programs and through informal and formal coaching engagements. Through leadership programs, I designed and taught and sponsored programs to develop key management and leadership skills for leaders of all levels.
I also learned the behind-the-scenes reality of how corporations function. This includes oversight of succession planning (up to and including CEO level), internal talent planning and promotions, tapping employees for leadership programs and developmental opportunities, reporting talent and diversity messages and numbers to the board of directors and more.
My coaching work extends to include college students as a vendor coach for the Doerr Institute of New Leaders at Rice University.
Business savvy
Leading development programs for high potential field leaders, I learned about business fundamentals such as managing a P&L, sales and customer issues, warehouse and distribution challenges, financial reporting and more.
Experience and qualifications
- Ph.D. and M.A. in Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychology from Michigan State University
- B.A. in psychology and history from Rice University
- Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coach Federation (ICF)
- Member of American Psychological Association (APA), Society for Industrial Organizational Psychology (SIOP), Society of Consulting Psychology and ICF.
- Current: Principal & Founder of Howell Leadership Science, LLC, a coaching and leadership consulting firm
- Current: Founder of Science of Working (www.sciencefworking.com) a blog dedicated to translating academic research about effective leadership into practical advice for leaders in organizations
- Current: Vendor coach for the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University
- Head of Enterprise Talent Management (leadership development, learning, Diversity & Inclusion) for Sysco
- Director of Leadership Development & Assessments at PetSmart
- Consulting roles at Denison Consulting, Novations Learning Technology and Andersen Consulting
Ann can be reached at Ann@Howlead.com and resides in Houston, TX