Patrice Elder, Ed.D

She Reminded Me That People Always Come First

Some leaders are remembered for the organizations they build.

Others are remembered for the people they build.

Patrice Elder is one of those people.

Although I've only known Patrice for a little over a year, it feels as though she's been part of my journey much longer. From the very beginning, she brought something every leader needs but often doesn't realize they're missing: compassion.

Not the kind of compassion that avoids difficult conversations.

The kind that helps people believe they are capable of more than they imagined.

Patrice has an incredible gift for making people feel seen, heard, and valued. Whether she's mentoring a new athletic administrator or encouraging someone who's questioning themselves, she leads with empathy, grace, and genuine care for the person sitting across from her. She has a way of making people feel safe enough to be honest about their challenges while reminding them they are more capable than they believe.

That is one of the many reasons I asked Patrice to lead the mentoring program for the Global Community of Women in High School Sports.

Mentoring has always been at the heart of our mission. We don't simply want to connect women. We want to help them grow, discover confidence, and realize they never have to navigate leadership alone. There isn't anyone I trust more to guide that work than Patrice.

She brings professionalism, wisdom, and authenticity to everything she does. She listens before she speaks. She encourages without taking over. She challenges people while never making them feel judged. She understands that growth isn't about having all the answers. It's about helping someone discover the answers already within themselves.

Beyond her wisdom, Patrice brings something equally powerful.

Joy.

Her smile, positive spirit, and contagious energy have a way of changing the atmosphere in every room she enters. She reminds people that leadership can be both meaningful and joyful. Even during difficult conversations, she brings hope, perspective, and calm.

Over the past year, Patrice has become someone I know I can count on completely. She is dependable, trustworthy, and deeply committed to helping others succeed. She continually reminds me that she's here to support me, and I can't fully express how much that has meant throughout this journey.

The Global Community is stronger because Patrice is part of it.

I'm a better leader because I've had the privilege of learning from her example.

What She Taught Me

Leadership isn't measured by how many people follow you.

It's measured by how many people grow because of you.

Patrice reminds me every day that the most meaningful work we do isn't building programs.

It's building people.

The greatest leaders don't simply change organizations. They change lives, one person at a time.