In the Media
Navigating Multi-Generational Leadership Transitions and Rethinking Succession Planning in the Modern Workplace
Chad Hesters
President & CEO, Boyden Corporation
Member, Board of Directors
Chad Hesters is an experienced global leader with a comprehensive background in executive search, business advisory and consulting. As CEO, he focuses on maintaining Boyden’s high standard of client service and its industry leadership, while developing and implementing strategies to further expand the firm’s global presence and enhance its capabilities across all lines of business.
Professional Focus
- Substantial leadership experience as a geographic, practice and business unit Managing Partner with top-10 global executive search and leadership advisory firms
- Management consulting, talent acquisition, board advisory, executive assessment, executive management, business unit leadership, and international business issues
- Previous career experience includes corporate finance and strategic planning roles in global companies; early career spent as an Intelligence Officer with the United States Navy
Education & Certifications
- MBA from University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
- Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University, College Station
- Yale School of Management: Leadership for Global Business and Politics Program
- Harvard Business School Executive Education: Changing the Game in Executive Search
Case Studies
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Guiding a Family-Owned Manufacturer Through a Private Equity Transition
With Boyden’s support, a private equity–backed organization appointed its first HR leader to formalize people operations and navigate cultural and structural transformation during a pivotal ownership shift.
New CEO Sparks Rejuvenation in a 75-Year-Old Cooperative Retailer
Boyden partners with a regional retail cooperative to recruit transformative leadership and drive profitability.
CEO Succession for a Global Precision Manufacturer
Boyden partners with a highly engineered products manufacturer to recruit a CEO who combines strategic pedigree with entrepreneurial execution, positioning the company for its next phase of growth.
Thought Leadership
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Articles & Papers
Why Leadership Capability is now the Defining Challenge for Family Businesses
Voices of Family Business Survey
Articles & Papers
A First External CEO Leads a First Generational Succession
A family enterprise approaching its first generational transition found leadership fragmented across sibling-led divisions. Growth was possible, but cohesion was not guaranteed. By introducing independent executive leadership, the family gained clarity, strengthened governance, and set a foundation for long-term continuity. Here’s how unified leadership replaced complexity.
Articles & Papers
A Third Generation Charts a New Course
A third-generation family business found itself navigating sudden global disruption with limited internal capability to manage a complex reshoring effort. The solution was not more control, but the confidence to bring in the right external expertise. This is how the family safeguarded its legacy by acting decisively—and differently.
Blog Post
Succession Starts Here—Seamless Leadership for the Future
Intentional, scalable succession planning across all leadership levels ensures smooth transitions, strengthens culture, and prepares organizations for long-term success.
Media
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Curiosity vs Expertise—Why Leaders Are Generalists with Xenia Wickett Founder of Wickett Advisory
Podcast
Why Planning Your Career Can Hold You Back with Laurent Therivel, former CEO of UScellular
Podcast
Leading Through Complexity with Dee Smith, CEO of Strategic Insight Group
Podcast
Leaders in Focus featuring Chad Hesters, CEO and President of Boyden
Video
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