In a business world increasingly defined by authenticity, inclusion, and purpose, Patrice Boone has emerged as a powerful force in shaping the narrative of modern leadership. As Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer –  Home & Auto at Synchrony, Boone brings a wealth of experience, insight, and emotional intelligence to her role. Her leadership is rooted in service, driven by empathy, and grounded in a deep understanding of both the marketplace and the people within it. In the 2025 edition of Visionary Black Leaders Transforming the Business Landscape, Boone’s journey stands out as a blueprint for how transformative leadership can uplift teams, build brands, and create enduring impact.

True leadership isn’t about commanding attention—it’s about creating space for others to rise, feel seen, and lead with confidence. That’s how transformation begins.  

Leading with Service: A Defining Career Moment

Boone views leadership not as a position of power, but as a commitment to responsibility. One of the most formative moments in her career came when she stepped into the role of Chief of Staff for a newly formed organization. Charged with integrating three disparate teams under one leader, Boone was thrust into a situation filled with anxiety, uncertainty, and transition. She quickly realized that the most important thing she could do was to listen.

“People were understandably anxious,” she reflects. “I had to support them emotionally and advocate for their needs.” This role sharpened her instinct for servant leadership—removing roadblocks, creating psychological safety, and ensuring everyone felt seen and heard. This experience taught me a fundamental principle — true leadership is rooted in service, not authority. That philosophy continues to guide her approach at Synchrony.

Championing Representation and Accountability

As a Black executive in a leading financial services company, Boone carries a dual responsibility—to lead, and to model. She is highly conscious of the influence visibility holds and why representation matters. “Inclusion isn’t just about making space,” she explains. “It’s about actively driving growth and advancement, for people who look like me.”

Boone makes it a priority to mentor and sponsor diverse talent, both within her immediate team and throughout the organization. She believes in creating a culture where open dialogue and accountability are not optional, but essential. By encouraging her team to reflect, engage, and question the status quo, she ensures that diversity and inclusion are woven into the very fabric of the company’s culture.

Marketing Innovation with Purpose and Precision

In a financial landscape where digital transformation is constant, Boone’s marketing philosophy is both agile and deeply strategic. “Consumers want dynamic and personalized content,” she notes. “That expectation has become the norm.”

At Synchrony, Boone is steering marketing efforts that are authentic, data-driven, and human-centered. She emphasizes the importance of deep consumer understanding—knowing where customers are, what they need, and how to engage them across every channel. Rather than chasing trends, Boone focuses on building long-term relationships through consistent, values-based messaging. Her vision guarantees that each interaction consistently reflects the brand’s values and strengthens trust with the audience over time.

Turning Challenges into Catalysts for Change

Boone is candid about the challenges she has faced as a Black woman in executive spaces. Early in her career, she often found herself in rooms where she was the only person who looked like her. “There was a pressure to prove myself, or to speak on behalf of all Black people,” she says. Over time, however, she reframed that experience—not as a burden, but as a strength.

Her distinct perspective has become a competitive advantage, especially in marketing. It allows her to see overlooked narratives, untapped needs, and the gaps in traditional approaches. Boone describes this as a “superpower,” one that brings empathy, resilience, and awareness to the table. It allows her to build connections with diverse audiences in a way that is both strategic and authentic.

Creating Inclusive and Resonant Strategies

Boone understands that effective marketing must reflect the diverse world it serves. She draws on her personal experiences in every campaign and prioritizes building a diverse team. “If the people shaping the narrative don’t reflect the audience, the message won’t land,” she explains.

She also ensures that insights go beyond surface-level demographics. For Boone, understanding consumer behavior means understanding cultural context, personal values, and lived experience. Today’s consumers expect brands to stand for something, and Boone is committed to ensuring Synchrony delivers on that expectation with integrity and depth.

A Legacy of Purpose-Driven Leadership

Among the initiatives Boone is most proud of is Synchrony’s Education as an Equalizer, launched in 2021 with a $50 million commitment. This initiative addresses economic inequality by supporting marginalized and first generation college students in their pursuit of higher education and financial literacy. It includes three core pillars: enabling college attainment, providing workforce training, and equipping individuals with financial management skills.

Boone sees this as more than a corporate initiative—it’s a statement of values. “Our children are our future,” she says. “Supporting education today ensures broader representation at the decision-making table tomorrow. Tables where people who look like me can sit and lead.”

Visionary Leadership in 2025 and Beyond

To Boone, visionary leadership in today’s world is about more than foresight—it’s about purpose. “She describes it as creating an environment where people and their ideas are able to thrive. That means leading with clarity, empathy, and adaptability. It means challenging outdated thinking and fostering a culture that embraces innovation and inclusivity.

At Synchrony, she embodies this by staying close to her team, encouraging bold thinking, and connecting strategy to action. Boone is intentional in shaping change rather than merely reacting to it. By aligning values to vision, and vision to execution, she creates momentum that not only moves teams forward but inspires them to lead.

Inclusion isn’t just about making space — it’s about actively driving growth and advancement, particularly for underrepresented groups.

Unlocking Growth Through Perspective

Boone believes that Black leaders bring a unique ability to identify blind spots—whether in products, hiring, or broader business culture. “We’ve had to navigate systems that weren’t built for us,” she says. “That has sharpened our ability to see what others might miss.” This awareness is not only beneficial—it’s essential. It fosters more inclusive innovation, builds stronger teams, and drives smarter strategies.

She sees this as a superpower: a lens that helps organizations grow not just ethically, but intelligently. By highlighting what’s missing, Black leaders help businesses unlock overlooked opportunities and build deeper connections with customers and communities alike.

Mentoring the Next Generation of Black Professionals

When it comes to supporting future leaders, Boone offers powerful advice: “Know your worth. Don’t shrink to fit into spaces that weren’t built with you in mind.” She believes that authenticity, not assimilation, is the key to leadership.

Boone also emphasizes the importance of intentional networking and continuous learning. Stretch assignments, cross-functional exposure, and industry awareness are all critical to preparing for executive roles. “Leadership goes beyond just completing tasks,” she explain. “It’s about shaping vision and driving impact.”

A Legacy of Empathy, Innovation, and Empowerment

Looking ahead, Boone is intentional about the legacy she wants to leave. She hopes to be remembered as an agent of transformation. Someone who challenged the status quo, pushed boundaries, and led with empathy and heart.

Her impact, she hopes, will be measured not only by her professional achievements, but by how she made people feel—seen, supported, and empowered. She strives to create space for others to show up as their full selves, and in doing so, builds a more inclusive, innovative, and human-centered future for business.

In Patrice Boone, we see a visionary leader whose influence extends far beyond the boundaries of marketing. She is reshaping what leadership looks like, redefining how brands connect with people, and reminding us all of the power of empathy, representation, and purpose. Her story is a testament to what’s possible when leaders lead with heart—and the impact they can create when they never stop listening.

I want my legacy to be about transformation — not just in what we achieved, but in how people felt: seen, supported, and empowered.