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Ellen Hootman

Ellen Hootman

Passionate People Leader | Champion of Kindness, Empathy, and People

Location icon Davis, CA, USA

About

I’m an HR executive and Certified Professional Coach with over 25 years of experience empowering leaders and organizations to achieve their full potential. I specialize in leadership development, organizational culture transformation, and executive coaching, blending strategic insights with a compassionate approach. My work focuses on fostering emotional intelligence, mindful communication, and resilience, helping individuals and teams thrive. Through tailored programs, public speaking, and consulting, I drive lasting transformation, creating inclusive, high-performing workplaces that align personal growth with professional success.

Job Categories

Human Resources
Executive Leadership

Industries

Technology and AI
Semi Conductor
Retail and Consumer Goods
Human Resources

Top Skills

Leadership Development
Organizational Transformation
Executive Coaching
Emotional Intelligence
Strategic HR Leadership
Team Building
Inclusive Workplace Culture
Available
Clock icon
Part-time
Contract
Fractional

A
Advising
C
Coaching
C
Consulting
F
Fractional Leadership
M
Mentoring
S
Speaking

What I Offer

I help leaders, HR professionals, and organizations overcome challenges in leadership development, culture transformation, and team effectiveness. As an experienced HR executive and coach, I deliver tailored solutions that drive measurable results.

Leadership Development

Custom programs to foster resilient, emotionally intelligent leaders who inspire teams and achieve strategic goals.

Executive Coaching

Individualized coaching to navigate challenges, boost performance, and create lasting professional impact.

Culturel Transformation

Strategic guidance to build inclusive, values-driven workplace cultures that enhance employee engagement and retention.

Tailored Workshops

Interactive sessions on mindful communication, team building, and conflict resolution to strengthen organizational cohesion and performance.

Ask Me About

Leadership Strategies
Talent Development
Emotional Intelligence
Succession Planning
Employee Engagement
Organizational Culture
Executive Coaching
HR Systems and Strategies
Diversity and Inclusion
Team Building

Leadership Excellence

Description
For: Emerging leaders and executives. A comprehensive coaching program designed to develop leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and resilience.
Outcomes
Enhanced decision-making, team performance, and strategic alignment.

Cultural Transformation

Description
For: Organizations undergoing change. Strategic consulting to align values, foster engagement, and cultivate inclusive cultures.
Outcomes
Increased employee satisfaction, retention, and productivity.

Custom Workshops

Description
For: HR teams, managers, and leadership groups. Tailored workshops on mindful communication, team building, and conflict resolution.
Outcomes
Improved team cohesion and workplace morale.

Executive Coaching

Description
For: Executives and senior leaders. Individualized coaching to overcome challenges, boost confidence, and create impactful leadership.
Outcomes
Clearer vision, stronger communication, and transformative growth.

Wisdom at Work

Notable Roles

Founder, Ellen Hootman Consulting

As an executive coach and consultant, I’ve supported leaders in navigating challenges, expanding their awareness, and creating transformational change both personally and professionally.

Vice President of People, Lily AI

Led people strategy for a high-growth AI company, aligning HR initiatives with business goals, improving organizational effectiveness, and driving employee engagement across diverse teams.

Global Head of People, Blaize

Spearheaded HR initiatives for a late-stage startup, focusing on leadership training, international talent strategies, and scalable HR systems for a rapidly growing team across nine countries.

Areas of Expertise

Leadership Development

I design and deliver leadership programs that foster emotional intelligence, critical conversations, and transformational growth. My coaching approach blends mindfulness with strategic insights to empower leaders and their teams.

Organizational Transformation

I specialize in cultivating workplace cultures that align values, boost employee engagement, and promote inclusivity. My approach integrates talent management, succession planning, and team-building strategies for long-term success.

Public Speaking and Training

As a sought-after speaker, I deliver engaging keynotes and workshops on leadership, HR best practices, and compassionate workplace strategies, inspiring audiences to adopt positive, actionable changes.

Key Achievements

Executive Coaching Impact

Coached leaders across industries, helping them achieve personal and professional breakthroughs, enhancing their leadership effectiveness and team dynamics.

Cultural Alignment at Lily AI

Successfully integrated HR strategies that fostered a cohesive company culture during periods of significant growth and innovation.

Transformation at Blaize

Designed and implemented leadership training programs that enhanced executive performance and prepared the organization for global expansion.

I believe that wisdom means that one can make solid decisions based on insight, experience, different perspectives, compassion, and humility.

Summary of Skills

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Ellen Hootman is a member of OpenWater Group — a new curated community of high-achieving professionals with decades of experience.
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