Naomi Banks
Naomi Banks is an executive coach, leadership consultant and speaker who is passionate about partnering with organizations to drive positive transformation. Naomi has a knack for uncovering and understanding organizational goals and challenges. She partners closely with business leaders to align their strategies with winning cultures to drive business results. Naomi brings two decades of experience in the high-tech and healthcare industries working as an HR Business Partner. She has a special interest in building cultures where all people feel welcomed, included, and valued.
Expertise
Developing and Facilitating Meaningful Learning Experiences
Leadership and Team Coaching
Creating Diversity and Inclusion Strategies
Connecting Organizational Needs to Development Solutions
My Background
While my career journey has been anything but traditional, there has been a common thread throughout: A passion for helping people succeed and achieve their maximum potential. Throughout my 20-year career as an executive coach, leadership consultant and HR professional, I’ve been partnering with organizations to achieve their potential and to inspire personal transformation. This has resulted in the positive evolution of teams, programs and business strategies. I help organizations ensure they are fostering safe spaces for people to lean vulnerably into challenging situations and grow.
I started my career at Digi International when the company was in start-up mode. My natural tendency is to take a people-centered approach to work, which meant I soon found myself in an HR position and a later a leadership role within the company despite being originally hired into a different department. A handful of years later, I entered into the world of health care, joining Park Nicollet in 2002 and worked in a variety of HR roles to include recruitment, employee relations and HR strategy as an HR Business Partner. Transitioning from a start-up to a large, well-established company in a brand new industry was an exciting challenge. Today, I work closely with leaders and teams to uncover the challenges at hand and drive real results through leadership development solutions.
I completed the Coach U training program as well as the Coaching Certificate Program at the University of St Thomas, which has changed my life. Coaching always seemed like a natural, obvious method for working with people to help them develop. I am honored to be invited into these emotional spaces with leaders – getting a front-row seat as they reveal their own transformation.
Why I Work
“I am passionate about partnering with people during times of meaningful transformation — whether that is on an individual, team, or organizational level. Doing work that makes a positive impact on the world gets me out of bed in the morning. Supporting others to lead from a place of authenticity and vulnerability is important.”
– Naomi Banks
When I Am Not Working
I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota and appreciate the diversity my city offers -- both in the things I do and in the people I meet. I enjoy visiting our authentic restaurants, listening to live music, and attending community and cultural events. And you can’t beat a Minneapolis summer! I have been involved with music since I was a kid, singing with jazz and funk bands across the Twin Cities. Music and the arts bring me joy, connection, insights and ideas in all areas of my life and work.
Fitness and sports are also a huge part of my life –I love to move! I have made the transition from being a long-time runner to power lifting and love the journey of becoming physically and mentally strong.
Finally, I have a fantastic and supportive family who I enjoy spending time with and traveling with. I feel honored to have the most amazing friends. Their diverse backgrounds and cultures have taught me so much about the world and given me an opportunity to have new experiences and gain additional perspectives.