Leadership

Kathleen (Kathie) L. Patterson was named chief human resources officer of Ally Financial in August 2016. In this role, she’s responsible for overseeing the company’s human capital, talent management, compensation, benefits, well-being, internal communications and cultural efforts – ensuring they support the organization’s overall strategic objectives and drive Ally’s efforts to be a leading employer of choice.

Most recently, she served as the senior vice president of human resources for Ally’s Auto Finance and Insurance lines of business. Patterson joined Ally in 2007 to lead change management as the company underwent a major functional reorganization in the wake of its spin-off as an independent financial services company.

Prior to joining Ally, Patterson was the managing director of human resources at DTE Energy, a Detroit-based diversified energy company. There, she managed the company’s talent acquisition and development and consulting efforts including organizational and leadership development,  employee engagement strategies, and diversity management. She also led DTE’s efforts to grow young talent through a partnership with local schools, developing an age-appropriate, hands-on curriculum that developed energy-related trade skills.

Patterson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Detroit Mercy in industrial/organizational psychology. She serves as board of directors’ chairperson of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Detroit, which focuses on changing children's lives by matching them with caring adults to guide them on a path to success, as well as Cranbrook Institute of Science, which aims to build a scientifically literate public with a specific focus on transformational experiences in STEM education.

Born and raised in the city of Detroit, Patterson is active in several organizations aimed at helping the city’s renaissance with a particular focus on mentorship and coaching young people in Metro Detroit. This includes 3 years as a mentor and executive guest lecturer in Wayne State University’s mentorship program, which provides first generation college students with coaching to help them succeed in business. She’s also an active member of Impact 100 Metro Detroit, a volunteer group of women whose purpose is to fuel transformation in the Detroit-area by uniting women in collective giving. Patterson was honored by the American Society of Employers as the Michigan HR Executive of the Year for 2019 and recognized as CHRO of the Year by HRO Today in 2021.