Cowen Partners Executive Search

In this exclusive article for CEOWORLD magazine, Shawn Cole - President, Cowen Partners reflects on the evolving role of the modern CFO and the current business landscape. As economic uncertainty, digital transformation, and investor pressure reshape corporate priorities, Cole argues that if your CFO isn’t driving strategy, you didn’t hire a Chief Financial Officer—you hired a Chief Accounting Officer. https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/gXf4fWsV

Still thinking about Jackson Hole. Jacob Gamble and Shawn Cole had the privilege of attending the Bourbon Lore event hosted by Mason Walker and team—a one-of-a-kind experience blending Western elegance, mountain spirit, and rare whiskey. From custom hat fittings at Kemo Sabe to private tastings and a dinner under the Tetons, every detail was intentional and unforgettable. Thank you to Bourbon Lore for the hospitality—and the memories. #BourbonLore #JacksonHole #KemoSabe #WhiskeyTasting #WesternElegance #CowenPartners

How to Conduct a CEO Search After a Public Scandal: A 5-Step Guide for Boards When a CEO scandal hits the headlines, the board is faced with more than just replacing a leader—it’s about restoring trust, credibility, and direction. We’ve guided companies through high-pressure transitions, including situations like the recent resignation of Astronomer’s CEO after a viral incident at a Coldplay concert. Here’s a quick guide to doing it right: 1. Stabilize the Organization Appoint a credible interim CEO to calm internal and external stakeholders, while beginning a confidential search process. 2. Redefine the CEO Mandate The leadership needs of the company have changed. Do you need a reformer? A culture builder? A public communicator? 3. Maintain Discretion Leaks can derail the process. Control the narrative with a disciplined, discreet search partner. 4. Vet for Integrity and Crisis Aptitude You’re not just hiring for qualifications. You’re hiring someone who can handle scrutiny and lead through complexity. 5. Launch with Intention The CEO announcement should signal a fresh start. Coordinate messaging across PR, legal, IR, and internal teams. At Cowen Partners Executive Search, we specialize in high-stakes CEO transitions when reputations—and futures—are on the line. If you’re navigating a leadership crisis, let’s talk. #CEOsearch #ExecutiveSearch #Leadership #Governance #BoardLeadership #CrisisManagement #SuccessionPlanning #CowenPartners #ShawnCole #CEOhiring

Named America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firm by Forbes, Cowen Partners continues to lead the conversation around what great leadership looks like. Here’s a look at what made Q2 so impactful: 🔹 Fast Company featured President Shawn Cole’s piece: “This is why your perfect hire often fails.” 🔹 Inc. Magazine reported our insights in: “The CEO Pipeline Is Running Dry. Here’s Why.” 🔹 Entrepreneur Media published Shawn’s article: “A Record Number of CEOs Stepped Down Last Year. Here's Why — and How the Rules of Leadership Are Shifting.” 🔹 Business Insider turned to Cowen Partners for expert analysis on CEO succession. 🔹 Fortune asked for our take on the Kohl’s CEO transition. 🔹 Forbes featured our guide on attracting top passive executive talent. 🔹 And we welcomed Emily Thomas as Director, Executive Search — bringing deep executive recruiting expertise to our growing team. We’re proud to help companies find leaders who outperform expectations — and we’re just getting started. Q3, let’s go.

The executive was already replaced. You just didn’t know it yet. At Cowen Partners, we specialize in confidential executive transitions — discreet, fast, and effective. By the time the press release drops, our candidate is already in the chair. Public companies trust us to deliver leadership without disruption. And we do. Leadership delivered. #ExecutiveSearch #Leadership #ConfidentialSearch #CEO #CFO #CowenPartners

Vancouver, WA-based Cowen Partners Executive Search has assisted in the recruitment of John R Reeves III, MHA as the new CEO of United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII). This follows a national executive search led by Cowen Partners in partnership with UAII’s executive search committee, which included board members, staff, and community stakeholders. Sam Torres, MBA, managing director, led the assignment. Read more >> https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/efn-s_TA #leadership #CEO #talent #recruiting #executivesearch

Executive roles are becoming less about vision, and more about quickly delivered results. Here’s how you can build a team that rises to the challenge. If you’re a CEO right now, your position depends less on the vision you’ve outlined and more on the results you’ve produced in the last ninety days. In 2024, over 200 chief executives were replaced, marking a 13 percent increase in CEO turnover from 2023, and well over the six-year average. Boards are moving faster, driven by market volatility, activist pressure and a growing belief that leadership changes are the fastest way to unlock value. Simultaneously, the window for delivering on strategy is narrowing. Expectations around margin expansion, capital efficiency and operational control have tightened, and patience for long-term transformation has worn thin. Execution is being treated as a leading indicator of leadership quality. As a CEO, if you’re not quantifying progress and eliminating drag in real time, the conversation around your role may already be happening without you. https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/giMbCmb4

Rethinking The Leadership Pipeline: A Q&A With Shawn Cole At Cowen Partners Executive Search With demographic shifts accelerating and C-suite succession planning under pressure, the leadership pipeline is starting to show real cracks. Executive search firms are feeling it from both ends – senior leaders are aging out and top talent is becoming harder to source. The result: a brewing storm that is reshaping the economics, structure, and urgency of the search industry itself. Evan Berta, an associate at Hunt Scanlon Ventures, sat down recently with Shawn Cole, president and founding partner of Cowen Partners Executive Search, to unpack what’s driving this shift – and what recruiting firms must do to stay competitive. https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/gRZ2ngQp

With demographic shifts accelerating and C-suite succession planning under pressure, the leadership pipeline is starting to show real cracks. Executive search firms are feeling it from both ends – senior leaders are aging out and top talent is becoming harder to source. The result: a brewing storm that is reshaping the economics, structure, and urgency of the search industry itself. Evan Berta, an associate at Hunt Scanlon Ventures, sat down recently with Shawn Cole, president and founding partner of Cowen Partners Executive Search, to unpack what’s driving this shift – and what recruiting firms must do to stay competitive >> https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/eVBSsv92 #leadership #succession #talent #humancapital #recruiting

Welcome to the team, Walker Stadler! Walker Stadler is a Director at Cowen Partners Executive Search, where he leads executive search engagements across a variety of industries, including industrial distribution and manufacturing, healthcare services, business and professional services, and financial services. With a background spanning business development, strategy, and consulting, Walker excels at building strategic relationships and delivering high-impact talent solutions that drive measurable results.   Before joining Cowen Partners, Walker was a Principal at Kensington International, where he supported clients nationwide in recruiting senior leadership and C-suite executives, with a strong focus on private equity-backed companies. His approach is highly analytical and results-oriented, grounded in a deep understanding of complex organizational needs and executive talent acquisition.   Walker holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Marketing from Indiana University and was a member of the Hoosiers baseball team that competed in the 2013 College World Series.