Mary Ann McGowan

Mary Ann McGowan is a leadership development expert, executive coach, and trusted partner to leaders navigating the complexity of modern work. With over three decades of experience, she brings a deeply human-centred approach to leadership. It is an approach that begins not with what leaders do, but with who they are.

Her work is grounded in a simple but powerful belief: leadership is shaped in the small, everyday interactions that define how people experience us. Through her programmes, coaching, and now her book Put Who First: A Human-Centred Guide to Leading Yourself and Others, Mary Ann supports leaders to show up with greater awareness, intention, and presence, both with themselves and with others.

Put Who First invites readers to first look inward, to understand the patterns, beliefs, and habits that shape their leadership, before turning outward to lead others in a way that makes people feel seen, valued, and able to do their best work. At its core, the book is about building wise relationships with yourself and with the people you lead.

Mary Ann is a PCC-credentialed executive coach and is certified in Emotional Intelligence, Conversational Intelligence, and the Neuroscience of Change. She has worked with leaders across industries and around the world, helping them move beyond transactional leadership to create meaningful connection, strong cultures, and sustainable performance.

Her work is known for its clarity, warmth, and practical application, bringing together deep insight and simple, powerful tools that leaders can use in the moments that matter most.