Marie Patterson Women in Business Award 2026

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Marie Patterson

Integrated Power Services

VP of Human Resources

Greenville

Marie Patterson is vice president of human resources at Integrated Power Services, where she leads enterprise HR strategy across a rapidly growing, acquisition-driven organization. She has played a key role in scaling the company from mid-market to a $1B+ platform, building high-performing teams and driving operational alignment. Patterson is passionate about developing leaders, modernizing HR through technology, and creating systems that enable growth. She is committed to advancing people-first cultures across South Carolina’s business community.

How do you define leadership?

To me, leadership is about creating clarity and driving accountability, while recognizing people are carrying real life with them every day. I’ve seen employees show up through loss, health challenges, and personal struggles while still doing their jobs. Strong leaders don’t ignore that. They set clear expectations and build systems for performance, but also create an environment where people feel supported. Both matter.

What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?

Don’t confuse being busy with actually making progress. It’s easy to fill your time, but that doesn’t mean you’re moving the business forward. Focus on what really matters, make decisions with the information you have, and keep going. You can adjust as you learn. Waiting for perfect clarity usually just slows things down.

What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?

I’ve had the opportunity to help scale Integrated Power Services through significant growth and change. That’s meant integrating acquisitions, building more structure into HR, and putting systems in place that actually support the business as it grows. It’s been hard work, at times exhausting and challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. I’m most proud of the team we’ve built and the consistency we’ve created in an environment that could have easily felt chaotic.

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