Kathie L. Patterson
Chief Human Resources and Corporate Citizenship Officer
Kathleen (Kathie) L. Patterson serves as the chief human resources and corporate citizenship officer of Ally Financial. Since August 2016, she’s held oversight responsibility for the company’s human capital, talent management, employee relations, total rewards, employee experience, and cultural efforts, ensuring they support the organization’s overall strategic objectives and drive Ally’s efforts to be a leading employer of choice. She also oversees the company’s corporate workplace team as well as Ally’s corporate citizenship and community relations efforts. Kathie also serves as the chair of the Ally Charitable Foundation.
Prior to becoming CHRO, Patterson served as the senior vice president of human resources for Ally’s Auto Finance and Insurance lines of business. She 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.
Born and raised in the city of Detroit, Kathie 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. She is the immediate past chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan. Patterson is also on the Detroit Advisory Board for CareerSpring and an active member of Impact100 Metro Detroit.
Patterson was honored as a Woman of Excellence by Seramount in 2023 and Crain’s Notable Nonprofit Board Leader in 2024. She was also recognized as CHRO of the Year by HRO Today in 2021 and named Michigan HR Executive of the Year for 2019 by the American Society of Employers.
