In the Media
Why the CFO mindset can clash with CEO demands
Gwen Sabo
Partner, United States
Gwen Sabo is an innovative executive search leader with 20 years’ experience with a strong background in board and C-level operating roles. She is uniquely adept at understanding leadership needs and optimizing talent resources to recruit exceptional candidates for complex roles. As a trusted advisor, she develops bespoke sourcing and talent strategies, using her ingenuity, relationships and experience to ensure clients are equipped with the talent needed to successfully compete.
Professional Focus
- 20 years’ experience in executive search with leading global firms and a track record of spearheading critical initiatives to attract sought-after talent
- Senior executive and C-suite recruitment across a range of industries, including financial services, agriculture, real estate and industrial sectors
- Extensive Human Capital expertise including talent strategy, team building, candidate assessment and development, leadership development, diversity & inclusion, corporate culture, onboarding, organizational performance improvement and transformation
- In-depth experience with PE-backed portfolio companies in high-growth environments, as well as privately-owned firms and family offices
- Instructor at UCLA Extension, talent management best practices (candidate assessment, corporate sourcing design, recruiting and executive search)
- Expert panelist for AESC/BlueSteps Professional Development webinar
Business Expertise
- Vice President, Talent with a global executive search and talent consulting firm; promoted from Senior Director, Execution and Delivery; led development of firm’s research capabilities, training and development programs
- Founder and Managing Partner of an executive search and recruitment training firm, later acquired by a leading global firm; hired into executive role by new owner
- Engagement Manager, Associate Director & Corporate Trainer at a global top 5 executive search firm for 13 years
Additional Expertise
- Automotive
- Financial Services
- Human Resources
- Industrial Manufacturing
- Private Equity & Venture Capital
- Real Estate
Areas of Expertise
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor’s degree from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Case Studies
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Strategic Board Renewal for a High-Growth Cybersecurity Leader
Boyden partnered with a publicly traded cybersecurity firm to appoint a transformative director whose reputation and leadership experience amplify the company’s strategic ambitions and market position.
A Time-Critical CFO Hire for a Scaling, PE-Backed Manufacturer
Boyden partnered with a private equity-backed leader in automated test systems to execute a Partner-led search with disciplined assessment and rapid momentum, identifying a finalist within two weeks and closing the mandate within 60 days.
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.
Thought Leadership
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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
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Autokrise, Tech-Rückstand, Führungsfrage: Jutta Menzenbach im Gespräch
Podcast
Why Grit Is Killing Your High Performers And What Elite Teams Do Instead | Dr. Amy Athey
Podcast
Executive Search Insights: How CPG & Retail Companies Find the Right Leaders
Podcast
Boyden CEO Chad Hesters Joins Dr. Amy Athey on the Still Evolving Podcast
Podcast
News & Events
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In the Media
Epochal change: Why the automotive industry needs diversity now
In this guest article for the” Top 25 Women” initiative, Jutta Menzenbach of Boyden, an executive search firm, writes about the importance of diversity in the automotive industry to drive economic success.
Event
How Boards Select New Directors - A BlueSteps Webinar featuring Boyden's Karen Kosiba Edwards
Contact Gwen Sabo today and let's get started