Mary Woolf is a globally accomplished Human Resources executive with over 20 years of transformative leadership experience across HR strategy, talent development, digital learning ecosystems, and organizational change. With a career that spans prominent leadership roles at IBM, Ernst & Young (EY), and Yum! Brands, Mary has consistently delivered high-impact talent and technology solutions that drive business performance and enhance employee engagement. Her visionary leadership and passion for transformation position her as a sought-after consultant, advisor, and board candidate across multiple industries including manufacturing, healthcare, aviation, and the arts.

Mary currently serves as Associate Partner of Talent Development Transformation at IBM, where she leads the design and execution of large-scale HR and learning initiatives for global clients. Her work integrates advanced analytics, design thinking, and digital solutions—bringing together human capability and technology to future-proof organizations. Her portfolio includes projects from $500,000 to $70 million, underscoring her ability to manage complexity and deliver results at scale. She is widely recognized as a trusted advisor to C-suite leaders and senior HR executives.

Before joining IBM, Mary was a Senior Manager at Ernst & Young (EY) where she specialized in HR transformation and learning strategy. There, she led high-stakes engagements across sectors, helping CHROs and VP-level leaders rethink their HR operating models, implement talent strategies, and embed technology solutions into their organizations. Her experience included system integration, stakeholder engagement, and long-term ROI analysis—bringing measurable success to client transformations.

Mary’s earlier tenure at Yum! Brands further shaped her reputation as a dynamic HR technology leader. As Senior Director of HR Technologies, she managed a $10 million global HR tech budget, implemented PeopleSoft and Saba systems, and led a comprehensive five-year HR technology strategy. Her leadership resulted in the implementation of a learning management system (LMS) that reached over 700,000 users in 120 countries, saving the company $30 million annually. Her influence extended beyond systems to strategic talent development through corporate university operations and leadership coaching.

A trailblazer in learning technology, Mary’s earlier role as Director of Learning Technologies at Yum! involved overseeing the global shift from paper-based to digital learning. She introduced scalable platforms and ecosystem tools that modernized the company’s training landscape, enhanced workforce agility, and enabled real-time performance tracking. Her strategic foresight allowed Yum! to maintain a competitive advantage through innovation and digital evolution.

Mary’s foundational years at IBM Global Services, Symbol Technologies, and The Walt Disney Company provided a robust grounding in SAP implementations, enterprise learning solutions, and HR systems transformation. At Disney, she managed teams of over 200 through major training rollouts and LMS integrations, supporting transitions to self-service HR models across business units. These early experiences laid the groundwork for her enduring impact on organizational learning, leadership development, and talent strategy.

In addition to her corporate achievements, Mary is an active community leader, serving as the President of the Williams Rotary Club (2023–2025). She is also a dedicated member of Women in Aviation International, AOPA, and EAA, reflecting her personal passions for aviation, the arts, and athletics. Her creative spirit, coupled with her professional acumen, makes her a unique leader who balances strategic thinking with authenticity and purpose.

Mary is a published author and respected speaker in the fields of HR, learning, and digital transformation. Her thought leadership includes contributions to T&D Magazine, Training Magazine, and The Hive. She has also delivered keynote presentations at major industry conferences including the Women in Aviation Conference, ASTD, and Consero. Her commitment to advancing the HR profession is evident in her continual contributions to research and dialogue on the future of work.

Academically, Mary holds dual Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Human Resources from Webster University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from Kenyon College. She also holds an SPHRi certification from HRCI and has earned numerous digital credentials, including in AI and enterprise design thinking from IBM. Her lifelong learning mindset reflects the values she brings to every role—curiosity, growth, and excellence.

Throughout her career, Mary Woolf has demonstrated the ability to bridge vision and execution, strategy and empathy, and innovation with practicality. Whether enabling HR functions to do more with less, guiding organizations through cultural transformation, or implementing scalable learning ecosystems, Mary continues to serve as a catalyst for organizational success.

Character:
Mary is a values-driven leader who embodies integrity, humility, and a deep sense of purpose. She leads with empathy and inspires those around her to grow both personally and professionally.

Knowledge:
With over two decades of experience in HR strategy, systems, and learning, Mary brings unmatched depth in digital transformation, organizational development, and talent innovation. Her expertise is amplified by a global perspective and cross-industry insight.

Strategic:
Mary excels at translating complex business and technology strategies into actionable HR operating models. Her ability to connect enterprise goals with workforce capabilities makes her a powerful architect of sustainable transformation.

Communication:
A gifted communicator, Mary articulates vision and strategy with clarity and passion. Whether facilitating executive conversations or engaging global audiences, she builds trust, drives alignment, and inspires change.