Paula Grace is a certified Dare to Lead™ Executive, Organizational Development, and Co‑Active Professional Coach (CPCC) with more than 15 years of experience leading and working in HR and L&D functions across government contractors, manufacturing, retail, grocery, and co‑operatives in organizations ranging from small businesses to global enterprises. in the Fortune 250 and Global 200. She partners with high‑performing, goal‑driven executives and leaders—from the C‑suite to the frontline—who are navigating constant change, driving innovation, and continuously balancing the pressure to “do more with less.” Leaders who are ready to level up their lives and leadership choose her as a trusted thought partner to get clear on what matters most, amplify their personal and professional impact, and strengthen their confidence as they play to win and achieve extraordinary results.
Experience
With decades of leadership experience, she’s had the privilege of working with leaders at every level—from the C-Suite to the frontline —across a range of industries, and from small businesses to large, global companies in the Fortune 250 and Global 200. Expertise includes Dare to Lead™, leadership development, facilitation and training, human resources management, and partnering with business executives to drive organizational evolution.
She has a natural gifting towards developing systems and structures that create clarity and “organize chaos”. Whether working within established frameworks or creating new ones, she’s passionate about helping organizations and leaders grow, thrive and achieve sustainable success through thoughtful, strategic leadership.
Education and Certifications
Paula holds multiple coaching certifications including Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Co-Active Certified Coach (CPCC) through Co-Active Training Institute (CTI), and specializes as a Dare to Lead™ executive and organizational development coach.
She earned her M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Bethel University, and is a certified practitioner for: Dare to Lead™, InsideOut Coaching™, Insights Discovery™, Situational Leadership II™ (SLII), #IamRemarkable®, Myers Briggs Type Indicator™ (MBTI), Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue™, Strengths Deployment Inventory™ (SDI), and FranklinCovey’s The 6 Critical Practices of Leading a Team™. She enjoys speaking at conferences when opportunities arise.
What Matters Most
She makes her home in Minneapolis by Lake Nokomis with her two furry roommates, Vivian and Josephine. She loves lake life, slow mornings with hot coffee, sunshine, and tacos and believes any day is a good day when it involves reading, singing, gardening, hiking, and helping other people learn.
What’s Next
Paula is actively pursing a Master Certified Coach (MCC) accreditation through the International Coaching Federation.
Her mantra is: I am already enough. And, I am becoming more expansive and aligned. I will continue to pursue mastery with fierce courage, aliveness, and deep connection.
Paula’s Values
Integrity
“Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them.” ~ Brené Brown, Rising Strong
This definition of Integrity is my North Star. I’m not afraid to do hard things or speak up. I am fiercely committed to living and working with integrity, even if it is hard. Especially if it is hard. Stay human.
Mastery
I am insatiably curious and I love learning – about people, places, culture and things that make this world diversely rich and beautiful. An academic at heart, I love all things that help me think differently. Most of all, I love listening to, and learning from, people’s stories. I am serious about becoming a masterful practitioner in all areas of my work, both for myself and the people I work with.
Home
I moved a lot as a kid. A lot. 3 states, 5 cities, 7 houses, and 9 schools before I was 18 years old. The only Home I knew was my grandparent’s home in Minot, N.D. They had a little green house on the corner of 11th Ave SE with a baby’s breath bush outside the steps, a clothesline in the yard, and rhubarb growing in the garden. Their home was as humble as they were: a faith-centric, farming family full of love, community, and homemade iced gingerbread men with red hots for buttons.
My Home is sacred ground for me. I don’t take for granted the importance of being firmly rooted to friends, family and community. It is everything.
