1) What are your name, title, organization and accountability?
Gretchen McCoy, Senior Vice President, Technology Management Group, Visa International. I am responsible for delivering global, business-driven technology direction and optimal solutions for the Visa organization.

2a) When and why did you attend Executives Leading Sustainable Change?
I attended the first ELSC program, ELSC 2002, because I wanted to understand the challenges that other key executives were facing in the area of effectively leading large scale, complex global initiatives. Networking with other executives was also a reason why I attended this session.

2b) When and why did you attend any other IWL programs (ELSC, PLC, etc.)?
I made arrangements with IWL to bring the ‘Leading High Performance Teams’ program onsite at Visa. I had my global team attend the course and had very positive results.

3) What skills have you used the most since the program(s)?
This applied learning experience provided communication tools and leadership techniques which enabled the global team to achieve breakthrough resulting in several million dollars of savings. This was accomplished by applying the newly acquired collaborative dialogue and discovery technique skills.

4a) What results are you most proud of having produced at work? What did the results allow for?
In addition to the breakthrough cost savings in several million dollars for Visa, the impact that the programs have had on me personally have been to make me a more effective leader. I have shifted my perception and thinking, and improved my communication skills and my day-to-day practices.

4b) What results are you most proud of having produced anywhere else (optional)?
By applying what I learned in ELSC, I am generating a new and expanded level of trust and deeper relationships with people.

5) What resources do you want from or do you have to offer the rest of the IWL community as you continue your leadership journey?
I would like to continue to stay connected with the alumni network and share my experiences and help others along their leadership journey. We are all in this together!

Gretchen can be reached at