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CEO Executive Search

At Egon Zehnder, we have spent more than 50 years advising clients on chief executive leadership succession, recruitment, and professional development all over the world. We recognize that the selection of a CEO is the midpoint of a process, not the end. And for everyone involved, from the executive to the board of directors, to employees and key stakeholders, the appointment is merely a moment in a multidimensional transition. Therefore, we believe it is important to partner with our clients to deliver a comprehensive and effective CEO transition, succession, and onboarding protocol.

Over the past five years, we have applied our own future-oriented, proprietary approach to more than 1,800 CEO mandates. We understand that 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.

For maximum impact, we aim to partner with our clients in all aspects of the CEO leadership journey. That journey begins by aligning with your board regarding the company's future transformational needs and CEO requirements. We then help you build a compelling internal pipeline of senior leaders with CEO potential by identifying, assessing, and advising them on their development journey. This process builds a strong top team and helps create support for the selected CEO. Working with our own global industry practices, we have access to the best external candidates. We assess them based on the same robust and comprehensive methodology that we use with internal candidates.

The CEO transition process also means working hand-in-hand with your board of directors to develop a clear, workable succession plan — one that enables executives to transform their leadership strengths through our heralded Executive Breakthrough Program, developed and facilitated in tandem with Mobius Executive Leadership. Once you’ve chosen your leader, our “Accelerated CEO Impact” service supports the executive onboarding. This bespoke program begins before the CEO’s first day and helps make their first 100 days and beyond a success.



Chief Executive Officers 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

Thorsten Gerhard

Thorsten Gerhard

Stuttgart

Local Lead

Based in Stuttgart, Thorsten Gerhard leads Egon Zehnder’s CEO and Board Consulting Practice in Germany. He advises on CEO succession and executive… Read more

Elke Hofmann

Elke Hofmann

Munich Office Leader

Local Lead

Based in Munich, Elke Hofmann heads Egon Zehnder’s Munich office and leads the CEO & Board Advisory Practice in Germany. Read more

Charles Gray

Charles Gray

New York

US Lead

Charles “Chuck” Gray, based in New York, co-leads Egon Zehnder's newly formed US CEO and Board Practice. Read more

Lisa Blais

Lisa Blais

Boston

US Lead

Lisa Blais leads Egon Zehnder’s US Board & CEO Practice and serves on the firm’s global Board of Directors. She also recently served as Managing… Read more

Kim Henderson

Kim Henderson

Washington, D.C. Office Leader

Kim Henderson, Managing Partner of Egon Zehnder’s Washington, D.C. office, previously led the firm’s Consumer Practice for the Americas. 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

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

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

Calvin Yee

Calvin Yee

New York, Los Angeles

Calvin Yee, based in New York and Los Angeles, is the Head, Global Media, & Entertainment, a leader in the Sports & Digital Practice and serves… Read more

David Noble

David Noble

New York

David Noble is globally trusted by CEOs and their teams, boards of directors, investors and star athletes to help them crack high-stakes leadership… 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

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

Sergio Della Zassa

Sergio Della Zassa

New York

Sergio Della Zassa is active in Egon Zehnder’s Health Practice in New York. 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

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