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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 story
Our approach

We work for both sides of every search.

The best searches don’t feel like work. They feel like introductions between people who were always going to work well together. That outcome doesn’t happen by accident — it happens when a search firm takes the relationship with candidates as seriously as the relationship with clients.

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

01
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.
02
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.
03
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 — the kind of documentation that survives the emotional dynamics of a senior hiring decision.
04
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

01
A framework, not instinct
Our proficiency framework gives every mandate a consistent, objective language for leadership capability — one that survives the emotional dynamics of a senior hire and produces better decisions.
02
Diagnostic before search
Where the succession picture is unclear, we begin with a structured capability assessment of the surrounding bench. It sharpens the mandate and often changes what the role should be.
03
Twelve-month guarantee
Our replacement guarantee runs a full twelve months. We are prepared to stand behind our work for a year because we do the work to earn that.
04
Senior-led throughout
The partner who takes your brief runs your research, makes your approaches, and presents your shortlist. No handoffs to associates.
05
Candidate-respectful
Every candidate who engages with us — placed or not — leaves the process with honest feedback and a relationship worth maintaining. It is why our access keeps improving.
06
Deliberately boutique
We will never be the largest firm in the market. We intend to be the most precise one in the sectors we serve.
How we work
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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.

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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.

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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.

Our 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

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