Celebrating Women Who Lead – Patti Garrison

Celebrating Women Who Lead – Patti Garrison

Sarasota residents are encouraged to recognize the impactful leadership of women in various organizations across our vibrant coastal community, as highlighted by RealManage during Women’s History Month. This installment focuses on Patti Garrison, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at RealManage, whose career spans over two decades of dedicated work in people strategy and organizational performance.

Garrison's professional journey is rooted in a core belief: organizations flourish when their people are supported, engaged, and empowered. Before joining RealManage, she spent 32 years with The Home Depot, where she advanced through numerous leadership roles in human resources and operations. During her tenure, she earned a strong reputation for developing talent, strengthening company culture, and achieving measurable business results.

In March 2024, Garrison joined RealManage as a human resources manager. Her immediate impact led to rapid promotions, first to director of human resources within months, then to vice president in August 2025, and ultimately to senior vice president of human resources in September 2025. This swift progression underscores her strategic leadership and her ability to directly link people practices to business performance.

Currently, Garrison leads RealManage’s People and Culture team, overseeing critical areas such as talent strategy, leadership development, and associate engagement. Her primary focus is to ensure that RealManage’s human resources practices align with the company’s business objectives and foster a culture where associates feel empowered to succeed.

Garrison finds the most rewarding aspect of her work in cultivating culture and engagement. She is passionate about creating environments where associates feel valued and inspired. “When our associates thrive,” she states, “it shows in their performance, in their collaboration, and in the overall energy of the organization.”

As a woman leader, Garrison is committed to mentoring other women, emphasizing authenticity and transparency. She openly shares her own experiences, including setbacks, viewing them as stepping stones to stronger leadership. Her advice to aspiring women leaders in Sarasota and beyond is to take ownership of their careers, proactively seeking opportunities, mentorship, and continuous growth, even when challenges arise.