CEO of Influence – Alison Patt

Alison Patt, president and CEO of Thomas Cuisine, shared that leadership roles always came natural to her. But one pivotal moment solidified her desire to lead not just in a career, but in her life, too.

“In senior year of high school, I was selected from my class to give the graduation speech,” she explained. “I had a knack for public speaking and loved being up on that stage. I still have such a clear memory of my dad coming up after the ceremony and telling me I was destined to lead and do great things. For some reason it was that moment I knew I wanted to make an impact, find a bigger stage and use the gifts I had been given to make the world a better place. I’m still on that journey today.”

Today, Patt leads a team of 1,500 people — each of whom are making a difference in hospitals, senior living communities, schools and businesses.

“I believe in leading with the vision,” she said. “I lead with a lot of passion and enthusiasm for the future we are trying to create, and that has allowed me to enroll exceptionally talented people to help me bring that vision to life.”

Patt said that she is grateful for the many people that have paved the way for her, given her tough feedback and cheered her along. She watched her dad lead in the workplace with unwavering ethics and was a shining example of how important integrity is in a leader. She also shared that, about a decade ago, a boss named Randy became a lifelong mentor and friend to her.

“He fought to get me a seat at the table; he kicked open doors for me,” Patt shared. “He created deep loyalty by investing in my growth and development. It’s now my mission to be a ‘Randy’ for others.”

When it comes to aspiring leaders, Patt’s advice is simple: Be humble, fail forward, learn to accept feedback and find ways to always learn and develop your skills.

“It can’t be about you,” she said. “If you want the role to build your own ego, you will be sorely disappointed. Being CEO means you are a steward of the legacy, the mission and the livelihood of all your team members. Make sure you’re ready for the weight of the role and that you have the right intentions walking in.”

Outside of her work, Patt loves to roller skate with her two boys. She also loves to cook and explore new recipes and enjoys running around Boise or in new cities when she travels. She proudly completed her first marathon last year.

“Being CEO means you are a steward of the legacy, the mission and the livelihood of all your team members.”