Patricia Brown James

Patti’s career began in human resources with Shell Oil, followed by time with Schlumberger Limited, before joining Bridgestone Americas from 1992 to 2013. Following retirement from Bridgestone, James revitalized a regional nonprofit leadership program. She is currently a consultant providing human resources, business development, education, and transition coaching services to both individual and business clients.

Recognized internally and externally as an inspirational leader, coach, and mentor, James has advised leaders at every level, from CEO to emerging leader. She successfully navigated breaking the cultural barrier for women in leadership in a global Japanese-owned company and helped others do the same, travelling and working with teammates in Europe, Japan, Liberia, Latin America, Canada and the U.S.. One CEO who worked with her praised her strategic ability and willingness to speak truth to power: “On more than one occasion her good business sense kept us out of the ditch.”

James holds BSBA and MBA degrees from The Ohio State University and a Master of Arts in Civic Leadership from Lipscomb University. She is active in the nonprofit community and mentors with Rutherford CABLE, Middle Tennessee SHRM, OSU Fisher College of Business, tnAchieves, and WOMEN Unlimited. In 2011, she was named a Women of Influence by the Nashville Business Journal.