People first. Every time.
Behind every search is a person stepping into something new, and an organization trusting someone to shape what comes next. We take both of those things seriously.
Our approach
We work for both sides of every search.
Every leader who engages with us — whether they accept an offer or not — leaves the process better informed, properly treated and with a relationship worth maintaining. We give honest feedback. We stay in touch. We introduce people to opportunities that fit them.
For clients, this means a shortlist built on real knowledge of your situation and assessing candidates around judgment, decision quality and the specific capabilities that predict success in your organization .
For candidates, it means a firm that represents them accurately, prepares them properly and stands behind the introduction.
We have built our reputation by treating every conversation as the beginning of a long relationship.
What makes us different
We invest in both sides
The leaders we don't place today are the ones we place — or work with — tomorrow. Treating every candidate well is how we have built the network that makes our searches work.
Knowledge of people, not just profiles
The best candidates are not always looking. We know many of them already, which means we can approach a search with a genuine understanding of who is exceptional and available — not just who appears in a search result.
Framework built around judgment
We assess every candidate against a consistent proficiency framework. You receive a shortlist with written assessment of each person's capabilities.
Senior expertise throughout
The principal or partner who takes your brief runs the search and presents your shortlist. Rest assured that the person who understands your organization best is the person making every decision about your search.
What makes us different
How we work
Retained, not contingency
We work exclusively on a retained basis so we can invest the diligence a senior appointment deserves. Contingency search creates misaligned incentives and unwanted results.
Confidentiality by default
We approach candidates discreetly and never disclose a client mandate without explicit authorization. Equally, no candidate profile reaches a client without that candidate’s permission.
Honest counsel
If we do not believe we are the right firm for a mandate, we will say so in the first conversation. If we think the role is scoped incorrectly, we will tell you that too.
See our search process.
How we work
Retained, not contingency
We work exclusively on a retained basis so we can invest the diligence a senior appointment deserves. Contingency search creates misaligned incentives and unwanted results.
Confidentiality by default
We approach candidates discreetly and never disclose a client mandate without explicit authorization. Equally, no candidate profile reaches a client without that candidate’s permission.
Honest counsel
If we do not believe we are the right firm for a mandate, we will say so in the first conversation. If we think the role is scoped incorrectly, we will tell you that too.
See our search process.
Leadership
Michael O. Lewis
Michael has built his career around a conviction that the right leadership appointment changes everything — for the organization making it, and for the person stepping into it.
His executive search practice has focused on C-suite, board-level and senior leadership mandates, advising national and global institutions on transformational leadership talent, where the stakes are high, the candidate pool is narrow and the margin for error is real. He is recognized for elevating leadership standards and fostering inclusive cultures at the organizations he has served.
That same commitment to leadership — seen from the other side — led Michael to found careerNPV, a career growth and leadership performance firm helping executives make informed, purpose-driven career and leadership decisions. Reflecting a single belief that great organizations and great careers are built on the same foundation: clarity of purpose. honest assessment and relationships worth keeping.
Michael holds a Schulich MBA and the CFA designation. He is a committed mentor, active in philanthropy, and focused on advancing diverse leadership across the industries he serves.
Founder & Managing Partner