In the Media
Why Executive Search Is Still a Human Business: A Conversation With Boyden President & CEO Chad Hesters
Peter Novak
Senior Advisor, United States
Peter Novak is a renowned communications training expert and public speaker who brings broad business expertise and unique insights to our executive search and advisory services. He has served as an advisor and coach to C-suite executives, senior leaders and teams at some of the world’s most influential companies, enabling them to cultivate a powerful presence and drive stellar business outcomes.
Professional Focus
- Nearly 30 years’ experience in higher education, executive consulting, coaching and training
- Successful track record of training executives across all industries to excel in high-stakes presentations and media appearances
- Thought leader in a linguistic approach to leadership development with extensive experience teaching native and non-native English speakers to develop clear, compelling speech
- Creator of online course “Public Speaking for Non-Native English Speakers,” cited in LinkedIn Learning’s 2023 Most In-Demand Skills List
- Champion of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and its application to linguistic features
- Research on language and culture published by Cambridge University Press, Palgrave/Macmillan, and Gallaudet University Press, among others
- Professional working knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL); author of “Signing Shakespeare (ASL)” chapter, The Cambridge Guide to the Worlds of Shakespeare
Business Expertise
- CEO and Founder of Strictly Speaking Group, a communication training and consulting firm specializing in executive speaker coaching as well as collaborative team workshops
- Professor at University of San Francisco; tenured full professor and Co-Founder and Chair of the Performing Arts & Social Justice Program; served as Vice Provost for Student Development, and Associate Dean for Arts and Humanities
- Dean of Yale University’s Trumbull College; served as Andrew W. Mellon Faculty Mentor; Correspondent with the British Marshall Commission; Chair, Truman Scholarship Selection Committee; Provost’s Committee on Resources for Students and Employees with Disabilities; Freshman Orientation Committee; and Provost’s Committee on Lesbian and Gay Studies
Additional Expertise
- Communications
- Higher Education
- Social Impact
- Arts and Culture
Education & Certifications
- Doctor of Fine Arts, Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism from Yale University
- Master of Arts, English Language and Literature/Letters from Loyola University of Chicago
- Master of Fine Arts, Acting from American Conservatory Theater
- Bachelor of Arts, Theater from Marquette University
- Executive Education, Crisis Leadership in Higher Education at Harvard Kennedy School
- Cultural Intelligence Certification, Cultural Intelligence Center
- MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Instrument) Certification, The Myers-Briggs Company
Case Studies
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Navigating the Nuances of Philanthropic Leadership: The Search for a Major Gifts Officer
Through a highly targeted, relationship-based search, Boyden successfully identified a Major Gifts Officer whose fundraising approach, mission alignment, and donor engagement style matched the organization's long-term philanthropic goals.
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.
Building a High-Performance HR Function for a Multi-Site Laboratory Organization
Through collaboration with Boyden, the Chief People Officer of a PE-backed company secured two pivotal leaders, a Vice President of Human Resources and a Head of Talent Acquisition, to elevate human capital strategy, drive transformation, streamline recruitment, and strengthen enterprise alignment.
Thought Leadership
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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.
Newsletter
The CFO Leadership Lens
Expert insights directly from Boyden’s Financial Officers Practice
Q2 2026 Edition
Blog
The High-Stakes Season of Hiring
A clear-eyed look at today’s nonprofit hiring landscape, where heightened risk, talent shortages, and cautious candidates are reshaping how organizations approach retention, recruitment, and long-term workforce strategy.
Blog
Destigmatizing Coaching: A Call to Leaders
Explore how leaders can destigmatize executive coaching by reframing it as a strategic investment in growth, performance, and organizational culture rather than a signal of poor performance.
Media
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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
Boyden CEO Chad Hesters Joins Candice Bourne on 'The Journey of a Search CEO' Podcast
Podcast
News & Events
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In the Media
Orrstown's new CEO says bank is in a position of strength
Orrstown Financial’s new CEO Adam Metz highlights the bank’s strong financial position, disciplined growth strategy, and well-planned leadership transition as it enters its next phase.
Press Release
Boyden To Acquire Atlanta-Based GreenSight Executive Search Firm
Leading international executive search and leadership consulting firm to absorb Atlanta office with acquisition deal
Contact Peter Novak today and let's get started