In the Media
CFO Responsibilities Are Changing for Midcap Companies
Kathy Pattillo has over 20 years’ experience in executive search and consulting. As leader of our Financial Officers Practice, she focuses on roles that require transformative leadership, business acumen, and financial expertise. Kathy takes a strategic approach to searches, assessing the client’s leadership team, business strategy, and culture to place executives who will create sustainable value and take the business into the future.
Professional Focus
- Over 20 years’ experience in executive search, recruitment and talent consulting, including senior leadership and board roles
- Leads searches for CFO, CAO, CIO, CHRO and other C-level roles, and functional leaders in finance, accounting, human resources, technology, operations, and other disciplines
- Broad industry experience, with specialized expertise in manufacturing, industrial, EPC, healthcare, and energy (upstream, downstream, midstream, power, utilities, renewables, and oil field services)
- Substantial background working with CFOs on IPOs, compliance, new accounting standards, financial reporting, cost optimization, and refining AP/AR process to improve cash flow
- Extensive experience working with C-suite executives on corporate strategy, operational improvement, IPOs, M&A, business transformation, risk mitigation, compliance, acquisition integration, automation, data integrity and change management
- Deep business expertise including business development, sales & marketing, revenue growth, strategic planning and program management
Business Expertise
- Partner in a Houston-based global management consulting firm, helping both public and private equity-backed companies manage and implement change by focusing on people, processes, technology and data
- Director and leader of the permanent placement division at a management consulting and leadership recruitment firm in Houston specializing in financial and operational performance optimization
- Business Development Director at a global recruitment and talent advisory firm, Dallas
- Marketing Credit Analyst - Energy Division at Franchise Mortgage Acceptance Company, Dallas
- Financial Analyst at Associates First Capital, Dallas
Additional Expertise
- Manufacturing
- Financial Services
- Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC)
- Energy (upstream, midstream, downstream, power, utilities, renewables, and oil field services)
- Technology
- Professional Services
- Public Secto
Areas of Expertise
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor’s degree (BBA) in finance and management from Texas Christian University - M.J. Neeley School of Business, Fort Worth
- MBA studies at University of North Texas, Denton
- Continuing Education (50+ hours), National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD)
Affiliations & Awards
- Board Member and General Partner, Moore & Shelton Company, Ltd.
- Board Member, Executive Committee Member, Vice Chair, Texas Hearing Institute
- Board Member, National Business Development Association (former)
- Advisory Council Co-Chair, Women’s Energy Network (former)
- Board Member, Women’s Finance Exchange (former)
- Board Member, Secretary, Development Committee, Nominating Committee, and Rebranding and Renaming Committee, Texas Hearing Institute (former)
- Member, Steering Committee, United Way Women’s Initiative (former)
- Co-Chair, Business Network of Houston and Member, National Alumni Board, Texas Christian University (former)
Case Studies
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Securing a Top Tax Executive for a Leading Global Investment Bank
Discover how Boyden's strategic approach secured a top-tier Tax Executive for a leading global investment bank, resolving a year-long vacancy and enhancing their global tax compliance.
Securing Top Financial Leadership for a Global Industrial Equipment Provider
Explore how Boyden's targeted recruitment strategy unlocked the key fit for a global industrial giant seeking a VP of Finance to spearhead its North American growth ambitions.
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
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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.
Articles & Papers
Navigating Uncertainty: AI Drives an Inflection Point for the Global Economy
In this edition of Navigating Uncertainty, explore how AI is reshaping the global economy, while private equity reveals the truth about AI ‘bubble mania’.
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.
Media
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News & Events
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In the Media
Tim Cook Turned Apple into a $4 Trillion Company by Not Trying to Be Steve Jobs
Tim Cook’s Apple legacy offers a powerful leadership lesson in succession. A Boyden insight on how operational excellence, not imitation, drove $4 trillion in value.
In the Media
Layoff announcements are reading more like AI-era manifestos
A Business Insider piece explores how layoff announcements are evolving into AI‑era strategy statements, highlighting Boyden Partner Rick Wargo’s insights on why companies now emphasize shifting skill needs and long‑term transformation over cost‑cutting.
Contact Kathy Pattillo today and let's get started