Presented by RSR Partners
Greenwich, Conn., July 24, 2024 – RSR Partners, a leading board and executive search firm, announced today that its annual Chair of the Year Award nomination process has begun. The award celebrates the legacy of Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. (“Russ”), who has spent more than 50 years advising boards and CEOs on leadership and governance. The award recognizes a Chair who has successfully led a public company through a recent and significant business or governance challenge.
“Last year’s inaugural winner, Sarah Nash, set the standard for the award. Her extraordinary accomplishments as Chair of Bath & Body Works include playing a pivotal role in the company’s transformation and spin-out of Victoria’s Secret; recruiting directors to build two new boards; productively navigating an activist campaign; and managing a successful CEO selection and transition process. The leadership and character demonstrated by Sarah during these critical moments is a great example of the importance of board leadership,” said Brett Stephens, CEO of RSR Partners.
To nominate a Chair for the award, please complete the nomination form by October 18, 2024. Any Chair of a U.S. public company with revenue or a market cap greater than $1 billion may be considered. The Chair of the Year Award recipient is chosen by an independent selection committee comprised of renowned experts in the areas of strategic communications, leadership assessment, shareholder activism defense, investment management, human capital, consulting, and corporate governance. This year’s committee includes:
The winner of the award will be announced in February 2025 at the RSR Partners’ Annual Directors Dinner in New York City.
About Russell S. Reynolds, Jr.
Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. (“Russ”) is an American business executive, author, and founder of two of the search industry’s most prominent firms. Considered one of the pioneers of today’s executive search and board recruiting profession, Russ has counseled the boards and CEOs of many of the world’s leading companies over the past 50 years. In 1969, he founded Russell Reynolds Associates, which soon became one of the world’s leading international executive recruiting firms. Russ sold his interest in the firm in 1993. In 1994, Russ founded The Directorship Group (later named RSR Partners) where he served as Founder and Chairman until 2022.
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Contact
Lindsay Griesmeyer
+1 (203) 618-7076
media@rsrpartners.com
Over the past few years, digital transformation has dramatically impacted the business landscape. This evolution is only intensifying in terms of need and speed – especially as we enter the age of AI. As organizations and leadership teams pivot to learn and adapt, the difference between success and failure may be determined by whether organizations are market leaders or market followers. It’s therefore critical to be ready for how digital transformation may impact your business, and even more crucial to be sure your team can embrace and leverage digitalization when the opportunities arise.
How can organizations and leaders determine that their teams are ready?
Human capital is critical. First, the right leadership team should be in place to gain the trust and buy in of the employees, stakeholders, and customers. Next, consider whether you have the right talent and resources to implement the transformation. Finally, consider the need to create and sustain the “new” culture through scaling the business.
1) Is your leadership team ready?
In speaking with organizations about their leadership needs, we often hear that they need to hire an executive to strategize and execute a digital transformation. Since digital transformation often requires coordination across functions, it can be a challenge for a new executive to gain the buy-in necessary to achieve their goals.
Additionally, what problems are you trying to solve? In today’s customer-centric environment, it is critical to listen to the needs of your customer. Be sure you can explain the transformation and why it benefits the customer, and how it will enhance the customer experience and brand loyalty.
2) Does your organization have the talent and the resources?
When answering this question, it is critical to consider two factors – financial capital and human capital. With financial capital, it’s vital to fully assess the current state of the business, devise a plan including a timeline, budget, and resources. Is this achievable? What needs to change or shift?
It may also be a good time to assess the talent that will be on the front lines of the transformation and whether they are open and excited about being a change agent. Do they have the skills required to understand whatever is required of your digital transformation- whether it’s an appreciation of data analytics, cloud computing, SaaS platforms, AI, software development, and cyber security skills.
3) Can your culture sustain the digital transformation?
There must be an environment of trust and transparency built into the culture as well a more agile and innovation mindset and if not, the digital transformation will not be sustainable. If this is an issue you face, identify what resources you need to help shift the culture and get buy-in both internally and externally.
Additionally, consider if your organization has the resources to scale and grow. Digital transformation will bring efficiencies, speed to market, cost savings, and growth. The key is to plan for the growth and appropriately resource for the growth both from a financial and human capital perspective.
Too often an organization is led through the transformation and the infrastructure of the organization cannot handle the change and rapid growth. The organization ultimately decides to go back to their legacy business model. Unfortunately, this is not fair to the executives, the employees, and certainly does not reflect well for the organization in the marketplace and with their customers.
As these digital times continue to evolve, your organization should, too.
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Kimberly Melcer leads the firm’s Marketing practice. She specializes in identifying leaders with digital transformation capabilities across the C-Suite, and especially within the marketing function. She works with start-ups, privately held, and public organizations. She has extensive experience within the AdTech, MarTech, and broader consumer and marketing services industries.
RSR Partners is a boutique professional services firm headquartered in Greenwich, CT, that specializes in helping Boards and CEOs with their most critical recruiting, selection, and succession needs. The firm was founded in 1994 by industry icon, Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. The firm has conducted thousands of projects for Boards and CEOs at public, private equity backed, and family-owned businesses across a range of industries including asset management, consumer goods and services, industrial, technology, and healthcare. To learn more about RSR Partners, click here.
Greenwich, CT, March 1, 2023 – RSR Partners, a leading board recruiting and executive search firm, announced today that Kimberly Melcer has joined the firm to lead their Marketing & Digital practice. Kimberly specializes in identifying leaders with digital transformation capabilities across the C-Suite, and especially within the marketing function. She works with start-ups, privately held, and public organizations. She has extensive experience within the AdTech, MarTech, and broader consumer and marketing services industries.
Prior to joining RSR, Kimberly helped lead the Digital practice at Buffkin / Baker. She transitioned to executive recruiting following a marketing and merchandising career in the fashion industry, most recently serving as Vice President of Global Merchandising at Armani Exchange. She started her career in the Macy’s Buying Program and later led the marketing and merchandising team within the non-beauty business at Avon.
“Ability to drive technological and digital transformation is increasingly a skill our clients are looking for on their boards and their leadership teams,” stated Brett Stephens, Chief Executive Officer of RSR. “Kimberly’s experience deepens and enhances our ability to access the talent our clients need to be at the forefront of innovation. Kimberly is a fantastic addition to our team as we continue to build service offerings that complement our existing strengths and add value for our clients.”
“There are incredible opportunities for leaders who operate at the convergence of data, technology, and marketing,” said Kimberly, “and the MarTech and AdTech landscape continues to evolve and grow. I was attracted to RSR’s collaborative culture and entrepreneurial spirit, especially since this area of expertise is welcomed across the firm and interconnects with other C-Suite functions. I’m excited to be a part of the firm’s future and its continued success.”
About RSR Partners
RSR Partners is a boutique professional services firm headquartered in Greenwich, CT, that specializes in helping Boards and CEOs with their most critical recruiting, selection, and succession needs. The firm was founded in 1993 by industry icon and Chairman Emeritus, Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. Over the past 30 years, the firm has conducted thousands of projects for Boards and CEOs at public, private equity owned, and family-owned businesses across a range of industries including consumer goods and services, financial services, healthcare, industrial, and technology. To learn more about RSR Partners, click here.
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Contacts
Lindsay Griesmeyer
+1 (203) 618-7076
media@rsrpartners.com
