When Marlene McGrath became 3M’s vice president of international human resources in 2006, one of her first moves was to hit the road. Marlene traveled to more than 30 countries around the world, a fraction of where 3M operates, and learned a lot in the process.
“I was personally blown away by the level of talent we have, by the skills and experience I saw,” she says. “I really think the future of 3M as an innovative, thriving company is built on our people.”
That philosophy – coupled with being a lifelong “people person” – has honed Marlene’s focus on employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, and leadership development in her current role as senior vice president, human resources. Under her direction, 3M has placed on the Best Companies for Leaders list compiled by Chief Executive magazine and climbed the ranks of Aon Hewitt’s Top Companies for Leaders and Hay Group’s Best Companies for Leadership lists.
3M, she says, is fast becoming known as a place where talented people of different backgrounds and cultures see themselves excelling along a career path they’ve created, and a company where leaders can grow. Her team focuses on making sure that 3M provides future leaders with the support, development and diverse assignments necessary to prepare them for success in a complex world.
“I believe that leaders must be able to capture the hearts and minds of employees,” Marlene says. “Truly great leaders have the potential to not only impact the future of 3M, but also the world. It’s important for leaders to have multiple business, functional and geographic experiences to create global understanding, agility and the ability to innovate and inspire others to perform.”
Marlene herself began with 3M more than 20 years ago, as a lawyer in the company’s legal department. She also served as a director and vice president in human resources before being named to that organization’s top spot two years ago.
A native of Ontario, Canada, Marlene is married to Graham Porter and has three grown children.