In the Media
Why the CFO mindset can clash with CEO demands
Dan Kepler is an executive search leader with over two decades of success advising organizations on critical leadership appointments. He has led C-suite, board, and senior functional searches for companies ranging from family‑owned businesses to multinationals. Clients value his ability to align talent with their strategic needs and unique culture, while also engaging leaders who drive lasting impact.
Professional Focus
- More than 20 years of experience in executive search, including leadership positions with prominent global firms
- Extensive track record of successful searches for CEO, COO, CFO, board, and senior functional leadership roles in finance, operations, supply chain, human resources, sales and marketing, and IT
- Deep industry expertise in industrial, consumer products, transportation, and food
- Partners with organizations of all sizes and ownership structures, including family-owned, privately held, and PE-backed businesses, as well as major multinationals
Business Expertise
- Founding Partner of an executive search firm specializing in the consumer and industrial sectors
- Partner and Owner of a boutique executive search firm focused on consumer and industrial; created and led family-owned/privately held business and private equity practice
- Partner and Owner of a highly successful boutique executive search firm
- Partner, Industrial at another of the world’s top global executive search firms
- Executive Director at a global leadership advisory and executive search firm
Additional Expertise
- Industrial
- Manufacturing
- Transportation
- Consumer Products
- Food
- Privately Held and Family-Owned Businesses
Areas of Expertise
Education & Certifications
- MBA from DePaul University
- Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc.) in economics management from Ohio Wesleyan University
- Hogan Assessments Certification
Case Studies
View All
Strategic Resurgence: Driving Growth Through Business Transformation and Financial Innovation
Boyden partners with a Fortune 1000 industrial company to strengthen its transformation journey through the placement of high-impact FP&A leadership.
The Transformation of Atlas-SSI: Leading the Market in Specialty Equipment Manufacturing for Industrial and Municipal Water Applications
Private Equity investor hires a CEO to integrate acquisitions and build a growth platform in manufacturing specialty equipment for water infrastructure creating the largest manufacturer of traveling water screens and bulk material handling in North America
Strengthening Financial Leadership in Private Equity-Backed Manufacturing and Energy Logistics
In the complex landscape of energy logistics, our private equity client was seeking a visionary financial leader to steer its ambitious growth trajectory. Here, we explore how Boyden navigated this challenge, securing a strategic VP Finance and Accounting equipped to fortify financial foundations and drive operational excellence.
Thought Leadership
View All
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.
Articles & Papers
A Regional CEO Search to Realise U.S. Market Potential for a European Family-Owned Business
A European family-owned business approaching generational transition recognized that its U.S. operation required more than continuity—it required growth. The challenge was to redefine leadership for a critical market while navigating family dynamics and cross-border complexity. Here’s how the right appointment helped unlock the company’s U.S. potential.
Boyden Report Series
What’s Next for Industry? AI, Transformation, and the Talent Imperative
Industrial Trends Report: Analysing markets, studies, and trends on how AI, machine learning, and digitalisation are reshaping the industrial sector, with expert insights on talent and leadership from Boyden’s Global Industrial Practice Members.
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.
Media
View All
Startup to Stewardship: How a family business was Built to Matter with Josephine Sukkar
Podcast
Leaders in Focus featuring Neil Davy, Chief Executive Officer, Family Business UK
Video
Autokrise, Tech-Rückstand, Führungsfrage: Jürgen Pieper und Jutta Menzenbach im Gespräch
Podcast
Why Grit Is Killing Your High Performers And What Elite Teams Do Instead | Dr. Amy Athey
Podcast
News & Events
View All
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.
Contact Dan Kepler today and let's get started