Jim McDermid, MA

Jim McDermid brings over 40 years of experience as a business executive and HR consultant, with a proven track record of implementing value-added HR strategies aligned with real business imperatives. His work spans Business and HR Transformation, Cultural and Organizational Change, Talent Acquisition and Management, Executive Compensation, and Merger Integration – giving him a uniquely comprehensive perspective on what it takes to build organizations that perform at the highest level.

Throughout his career, Jim has operated at the most senior levels of corporate leadership, serving as Chief HR Officer, Section 16 Officer, Group Vice President, and Sector Vice President. He has managed both corporate and divisional HR functions, led large-scale change initiatives, and overseen 450 HR professionals across 22 countries in developed and developing economies. His work in HR transformation has produced measurable results – including driving employee engagement scores from the 43rd to the 71st percentile in a single year, the highest scores across the enterprise.

As an executive coach, Jim works with Board-level leaders, CEOs, C-Suite executives, senior leaders, and high-potential talent. His coaching expertise spans Positive Intelligence, Career Planning, Mindful Leadership, Change Management, and Executive Presence. He brings the rare combination of deep functional HR expertise and firsthand executive experience to every coaching engagement, allowing him to meet leaders where they are and help them build the clarity, presence, and effectiveness their roles demand.

Jim holds an M.A. in Political Science and Labor Economics from McMaster University and a B.A. in Political Science and Industrial Relations from the University of Toronto. He is an ICF ACC Certified Coach and a PQ Mental Fitness Coach, and he is based in Queen Creek, Arizona.