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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Scaling Legal Capability in Global Markets
Boyden partnered with a leading sovereign wealth fund to place a senior lawyer for UK and European investments, strengthening governance, risk management, and long-term growth.
Strengthening Valuation Leadership for a Leading Private Credit Manager
Boyden partners with a leading private credit and alternative investment manager to appoint a Head of Valuation, strengthening governance, regulatory oversight, and valuation excellence across a complex credit portfolio.
Leadership Assessment to Support M&A Integration Business Process Outsourcing
Discover how a global BPO leader achieved M&A integration success through leadership assessment, aligning executive capabilities with investor expectations and driving data-driven organizational decisions.
Thought Leadership
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Articles & Papers
Recruiting Centralized Leadership for a Diversified Family Conglomerate
As a family conglomerate grew in scale and complexity, its decentralized structure began to limit alignment. A generational transition created the opportunity to rethink leadership at the group level. Here’s how introducing centralized leadership brought clarity, coordination, and stronger governance.
Blog
Private Company Boards Then and Now: From Bodies of Representation to Engines of Strategic Capability
Private company boards have moved from relationship‑based oversight to capability‑driven leadership, responding to the demands of faster, more complex operating environments.
Boyden Report Series
Director Remuneration Report 2026
Director Remuneration Report 2026 analyses S&P/ASX 300 chair and non‑executive director pay, highlighting fee growth trends, sector differences and gender pay insights.
Articles & Papers
The CFO to CEO Pathway: What Boards Look for in Leader
From financial steward to enterprise leader—seen at Signal Energy and measured by what boards value most.
Media
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Navigating the Complex World of Global Sports with Jonny Gray
Podcast
Curiosity vs Expertise—Why Leaders Are Generalists with Xenia Wickett Founder of Wickett Advisory
Podcast
Why Grit Is Killing Your High Performers And What Elite Teams Do Instead | Dr. Amy Athey
Podcast
Why Planning Your Career Can Hold You Back with Laurent Therivel, former CEO of UScellular
Podcast
News & Events
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In the Media
The $400,000 Chief of Staff Is the CEO’s Secret Weapon in the AI Age
As CEOs navigate the growing complexity of the AI era, demand for chiefs of staff is surging as organizations seek trusted strategic advisors who can help leaders prioritize, execute, and solve critical business challenges.
In the Media
Activists Are Coming for CEOs, Boards on Succession Planning
Rising shareholder activism is increasing board scrutiny around CEO succession planning. Boyden's Craig Stevens discusses the importance of ongoing succession preparedness, leadership benchmarking, emergency plans, and effective CEO transitions.
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