A Tribute to Madelaine Pfau: To Know Her Was to Love Her

Every once in a while we encounter super human beings — beings so giving, so caring, so thoughtful — that they have a profound impact on our lives. Professionally, Madelaine Pfau was that for me. I certainly hope you are all so blessed to have a Madelaine in your lives, too. Rest well my friend, my mentor, my sponsor. You are forever loved.

Madelaine was a shining light in the purest sense of the word. Standing at 5’0” — and that’s being generous — she was a force. Her energy and passion could light up any room. She’s not only the best executive recruiter I have and ever will encounter, she was integral to me joining Heidrick & Struggles. Although she was “quasi-retired” as a Partner Emeritus, she was the busiest woman I know. We spoke every month, at least 1-2 times and she mentored and sponsored many others as well, all while fighting the good fight. You see, Madelaine, who had been the epitome of good health, died in June after a hard fought battle with breast cancer.

Looking back, Madelaine possessed so many intangibles. First and foremost, she was a servant leader. She was always asking what she could do to help. She and her husband, Charles, generously gave to causes that were near and dear to their hearts. Secondly, she was my biggest cheerleader at Heidrick & Struggles, tirelessly working behind the scenes on my behalf and connecting me to the right people and the right work. And lastly, she was an avid traveler and adventure seeker. I have no clue how many remote, exotic countries she marked off of her bucket list but there were many! 

Madelaine was a beautiful person inside and out and a dear friend. She’s what I would call a professional freak-of-nature. In all my years, I have never met someone so selfless with such an incomparable work ethic.

Today, I deeply miss my sponsor, my mentor, and my friend but her legacy will live on. Yesterday, Friday September 20th, her devoted husband, Charles, along with family, friends and colleagues gathered together in Dallas to celebrate her life and her legacy of helping others. It was incredibly moving.

If Madelaine were still here today, she would want us all to pay forward her kindness, generosity, love and support, not mourn her. Madelaine you will be deeply missed and I love you. No more suffering💔

Cheers to a life well lived!