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CEO Search

We recognize that the selection of a CEO is the midpoint of a process, not the end. The Chief Executive role is unique, particularly in the current atmosphere of complexity and volatility. These uncertainties require a pragmatic and aligned view on the business and leadership requirements of the CEO, one that must be reviewed regularly over the course of a transition.

You can count on our collaboration in all aspects of a CEO succession journey, which should be an ongoing planning process to deliver a comprehensive and effective CEO transition, succession and onboarding protocol.

We partner with you to ensure that you have developed the best possible internal options for potential CEO successors, and we can confidentially benchmark their readiness.

This process builds a strong top team and creates support for the selected CEO. The CEO transition process also means working hand-in-hand with your board of directors to develop a clear, workable succession plan that aligns with their long-term goals and vision.


CEO Search Consultants

Ashley Summerfield

Ashley Summerfield

London

Global Lead

Ashley Summerfield leads Egon Zehnder’s global CEO and Board Consulting Practice. He is a trusted advisor to scores of prestigious clients around the… Read more

Lisa Blais

Lisa Blais

Boston

US Lead

Lisa Blais recently led Egon Zehnder’s North American Board and CEO practice and serves on the firm’s global Board of Directors. Read more

Jessica Watson

Jessica Watson

Washington, D.C.

Jessica Watson is one of the co-founders of Egon Zehnder’s Washington, DC office and currently leads the firm’s Health Practice for the Americas… Read more

Christoph Wollersheim

Christoph Wollersheim

Washington, D.C.

Christoph Wollersheim, based in Washington, D.C., supports clients as a member of Egon Zehnder’s Services Practice and Artificial Intelligence… Read more

Olli Laurén

Olli Laurén

Washington, D.C.

Olli Lauren serves as a senior adviser in Washington DC. He is also a member of Egon Zehnder’s Global Machinery & Industrial Technology practice. Read more

Rebecca Spaulding

Rebecca Spaulding

New York

Rebecca Spaulding is a key member of Egon Zehnder’s Leadership Advisory and Financial Services groups. Read more

Kal Bittianda

Kal Bittianda

New York

Based in New York, Kal Bittianda is passionate about disruptive technology and digital transformation. He advises Boards… Read more

Anne-Claire Monod

Anne-Claire Monod

New York

Anne-Claire Monod is a sought-out advisor to industrial businesses who has developed trusted relationships with Fortune 500 corporations as well as… Read more

Charles Gray

Charles Gray

New York

Charles “Chuck” Gray, based in New York, is co-Head of our North American Board and CEO Practice. Read more

Irina Wolpert

Irina Wolpert

New York

Based in New York, Irina Wolpert is a sought-after member of Egon Zehnder’s Technology & Communications, Financial Services, and FinTech practices. Read more

Smriti Vicari

Smriti Vicari

New York

Smriti Vicari leads Egon Zehnder’s North American fintech practice, and is also active in our broader financial services, Board and CFO practices. Read more

Manuel Waenke

Manuel Waenke

New York

Based in New York City, Manuel Waenke advises companies and organizations on key leadership challenges and executive recruitment. Read more

Marieke Witjes

Marieke Witjes

New York

Based in New York, Marieke Witjes is globally active across Egon Zehnder’s Services, Consumer, and Private Equity practice. Read more

Kshitij Mohta

Kshitij Mohta

New York

Kshitij Mohta, based in New York, operates at the intersection of Health and private equity, working with both growth equity and large buy out firms… Read more

Dan Phelan

Dan Phelan

New York

Dan Phelan is a Senior Advisor at Egon Zehnder. He draws on over 40 years’ experience as a senior executive and board director to counsel clients. Read more

Justin Zale

Justin Zale

New York

Based in New York, Justin Zale co-leads Egon Zehnder’s real estate practice globally, and previously led the effort in North America. Read more


Thought Leadership | CEO Search

Read more insights
CEOs: Architects of Prosperity

CEOs: Architects of Prosperity

CEO performance has been redefined by rising expectations and growing complexity. To show this transformation, Egon Zehnder profiled six exceptional CEOs who are working… Read more

It starts with the CEO

It starts with the CEO

Survey of nearly 1,000 global CEOs reveals recent social and economic challenges drove unprecedented levels of self-reflection and development – changing CEO perspectives and… Read more

CEO Insights — Volume 45: 'We Have Become More Human:' Manufacturing CEOs Speak Out on The Evolving Role

CEO Insights — Volume 45: 'We Have Become More Human:' Manufacturing CEOs Speak Out on The Evolving Role

To manage and lead through vast complexity, CEOs have discovered that the antidote is largely relational, and they are actively working to expand their… Read more

What We Know Now: CPG CEOs Share at the Consumer Goods Forum

What We Know Now: CPG CEOs Share at the Consumer Goods Forum

Egon Zehnder was proud to participate in this month’s 2024 Consumer Goods Forum in Chicago. Sarah Van Dyck, co-leader of Egon Zehnder’s Global Consumer… Read more

Exploring How CEOs and Boards Can Escape the Growth Curse

Exploring How CEOs and Boards Can Escape the Growth Curse

Chasing growth can derail even the most well-meaning CEOs—and their companies along with them. We spoke with Yves Doz and Keeley Wilson, authors of… Read more

More women make it on to US company boards but fewer reach the C-suite

More women make it on to US company boards but fewer reach the C-suite

Egon Zehnder's Chuck Gray highlights that diversity remains a priority for boards and how a drop in CEO diversity impacts board diversity. (Note that… Read more

Why CEOs and Boards Should Prioritize Investing in their Senior Sales Leaders

Why CEOs and Boards Should Prioritize Investing in their Senior Sales Leaders

Chief Sales Officers have been driving incremental growth. Now it’s time for CEOs and Boards to apply that same level of rigor to the… Read more

CEO Insights — Volume 44: Leaping Over Tall Expectations Together: The Super CEO Meets the Super CFO

CEO Insights — Volume 44: Leaping Over Tall Expectations Together: The Super CEO Meets the Super CFO

It turns out it is not just CEOs who are the superheroes of business today. Our new survey, “The Super CFO,” explains how CFOs… Read more

CEO Insights — Volume 43: Expanding the Leadership Container: Increasing CEOs' Capacity for Success

CEO Insights — Volume 43: Expanding the Leadership Container: Increasing CEOs' Capacity for Success

What are leaders finding they need to lean into and to develop further as sitting CEOs, and how can they accomplish this, all while… Read more

You Can Say, Carefully, 'I Don't Know,' Says Egon Zehnder CEO

You Can Say, Carefully, 'I Don't Know,' Says Egon Zehnder CEO

Edilson Camara, Global CEO of Egon Zehnder, in interview to Valor Econômico Read more

Unlocking Success: The Middle Market PE CEO’s Essential Role in Talent Management

Unlocking Success: The Middle Market PE CEO’s Essential Role in Talent Management

We've spoken to CEOs on their pivotal role in human capital, collaborating with CHROs, boards, and leadership for top talent priority in value creation. Read more

CEO Insights — Volume 41: Reaffirming the Business Case for DEI in a Post-Affirmative Action World

CEO Insights — Volume 41: Reaffirming the Business Case for DEI in a Post-Affirmative Action World

The commitment to inclusion, equity and diversity in businesses can – and should – stay on course. Read more

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