Courageous Faith: How One Leader Found Her Calling Beyond Corporate Walls

In a world often driven by profit and power, the integration of faith and business can seem like a daunting, if not impossible, task. Yet, for Amy Van Hoveln, a seasoned executive coach and consultant with The Partnering Group, living out her faith in the corporate arena and beyond has been a journey of courageous authenticity and profound impact. Her story offers a powerful testament to the transformative potential of aligning one's values with their professional life.

Amy's career began in consulting, followed by two decades at Nestle Purina Pet Care. It was during her final year at Nestle that she pursued executive coaching certification, a move that ultimately led her to establish her own company and join The Partnering Group. This transition wasn't merely a career change; it was a values-driven decision that reshaped her professional landscape.

Living Like Jesus: Kindness, Ethics, and Morality in the Workplace

For Amy, living out her faith daily is straightforward: "It's just about living out being like Jesus, right? Just being kind, ethical, and morally upright. Just being a good person." This philosophy, cultivated during her corporate tenure, demonstrated that kindness and strong moral principles are not only possible but impactful in a demanding business environment.

Joshua 1:9 and Iron Sharpens Iron: Biblical Principles in Action

Two biblical passages have profoundly guided Amy's journey. Joshua 1:9 – "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" – has been her anchor. This verse empowered her to be bold and courageous, not just in business decisions, but in openly sharing her faith. "I didn't always do that when I was younger in my career," she admits, "but as I got older and maybe a little more mature in my faith, I became a lot more courageous about sharing that, even in the business world."

The second verse, Proverbs 27:17, "Iron sharpens iron; so one man sharpens another," resonates deeply with her role as an executive coach. While she initially saw herself as the one sharpening others, she quickly realized the reciprocal nature of coaching. "What I've realized is I get sharpened just as much as the people that I coach, which is really cool."

The Power of an Open Door: A Story of Unexpected Impact

Amy's courage to integrate her faith into her professional identity created unexpected opportunities for connection and influence. As a leader at Nestle Purina, she mentored many younger employees. In her personal bio, which she shared with mentees, she included Joshua 1:9, Proverbs 27:17, and even her church's logo. This simple act served as an open door, signaling that faith was a welcome topic of conversation.

One young gentleman, after seeing her bio, reached out. He confessed he had been struggling with the decision to start tithing. After their conversation, he decided to take the leap. Three weeks later, he received an unexpected merit increase. Overjoyed, he called Amy, sharing his excitement and gratitude. "I felt so happy that I was the only person at work that he felt excited enough to be able to call," Amy recounts. This story powerfully illustrates how subtle acts of faith can create profound, personal impact, simply by providing a doorway for others to walk through.

A Values-Based Decision: Leaving a 20-Year Career

Perhaps the most significant decision where Amy's faith played a critical role was her departure from Nestle Purina after two decades. This was not a decision taken lightly, but a values-based choice driven by a shifting corporate culture. "It was about loving people," she explains. Her leadership style, deeply rooted in a people-first approach, was once celebrated but became less aligned with the company's evolving environment. "When your environment changes like that, you either need to decide, 'Hey, I'm going to change to match the new environment,' or 'I'm going to create a new environment.' And that's what I did."

This courageous step allowed her to create a professional life where her values could flourish, demonstrating that sometimes, true leadership means knowing when to forge a new path that aligns with one's deepest convictions.

Balancing Life's Quadrants: Time, Talent, and Treasure

Amy emphasizes the importance of balance across four quadrants: spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional. Her spiritual discipline includes daily engagement with the YouVersion Bible app and reading the Bible in a year. She and her husband serve weekly at their church, caring for two-year-olds, and she previously coached high school girls, pouring into their lives every Sunday night.

Her faith also directly impacts her financial decisions. Tithing, a practice she and her husband hold dear, is now the first thing she does when paid for a project in her own company. This intentional act reflects a deep commitment to stewardship and trust.

Encouragement for Christian Business Leaders: Be Courageous, Be Like Jesus

For other Christian business leaders, Amy offers simple yet profound advice: "Do what feels right for you... Be courageous. Be strong and courageous and open that door." She encourages leaders to be authentic about their faith, not through overt evangelism, but by embodying Christ-like qualities. "Just be kind. Just be nice to people. Just do the right thing. And people will go, 'Wow, what. What is it with you?'"

This approach arouses curiosity, making conversations about faith more approachable and genuine. For those at a turning point, seeking to integrate faith more intentionally into their business lives, Amy's counsel is clear: "Find a mentor. Find someone who's already done that... Don't try to do this on your own."

Amy Van Hoveln's journey is a powerful reminder that faith in business is not about rigid rules, but about courageous authenticity, intentional living, and the profound impact that flows from a life aligned with divine purpose. Her story challenges leaders to consider how their faith can not only transform their own lives but also create ripples of positive change in the lives of those they lead and serve.