Gail Meneley-Goodwin was one of eight founders of the Center for Executive Options and helped grow its Midwest executive coaching and transition practice into the global practice profit leader. In 2003, she and her partner, Hugh Shields, launched and co-founded Shields Meneley Partners, providing confidential advisory services to C-Suite executives and Board of Directors during times of organizational and professional transition. Shields Meneley Partners was acquired by Felix Global in 2021 and she currently sits on the Advisory Board.
Mrs. Meneley-Goodwin has extensive business experience at top executive levels within the financial services and nonprofit sectors. She was President and CEO of the Institute of Financial Education, a national financial services training organization headquartered in Chicago with 250 locations across the country. In successive leadership roles, she spearheaded the spin-off of The Institute and successfully led its transition from a single market to a full-service provider of financial education and training. She secured capital for market expansion, reengineered the corporation, restructured the executive team, recruited board members from target markets, reduced operating costs, built a national sales organization, established strategic alliances, and drove product and delivery innovations.
Formerly, Mrs. Meneley-Goodwin was a Board member for United States League Management Services. She has been a keynote speaker and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun Times, Crain’s Chicago, Smart Business, Human Resource Executive, and Directors and Boards magazines. She holds a B.A. from Mundelein College of Loyola University and has participated in executive programs at the University of Texas, the University of Washington, and the University of Southern California. She is active in many civic, cultural, and business organizations including The Economic Club of Chicago, The Chicago Club and The Chicago Network.
