Jeff Sanders

Vice Chair

Jeff Sanders is a vice chair and co-managing partner of the global CEO & Board of Directors Practice for Heidrick. His primary focus is assisting high-impact companies with CEO and board succession. Jeff is a member of Heidrick’s management committee. Previously he was managing partner of the North American CEO Practice and global sector leader of the Software Practice.

Jeff's expertise

Experience

Jeff is a co-author of Show Up to Win: How to Land the Leadership Role You Want, a practical playbook for senior leaders to sharpen how they prepare, show up, and follow through when they seek new roles, so their every move in the executive job market builds trust, accelerates, performance, and helps them build the career they really want.

In addition, Jeff has authored many articles, including “The Path To Becoming a Fortune 500 CEO” (Forbes.com), “Memo to the Chairman: How to Interview Your Next CEO,” “Creating CEO Succession Processes,” “Joining the board of PE-backed company,” “The role of the CEO in board selection” (Directors & Boards).Jeff has authored many articles, including “The Path To Becoming a Fortune 500 CEO” (Forbes.com), “Memo to the Chairman: How to Interview Your Next CEO,” “Creating CEO Succession Processes,” “Joining the board of PE-backed company,” “The role of the CEO in board selection” (Directors & Boards).

Education

University of Arizona, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Thought Leadership

Insights by Jeff Sanders

View all insights

report

2021 Private Equity–Backed Chief Executive Officer Compensation Survey Report

Jeff Sanders

This report on compensation trends for CEOs explores data from private equity professionals around the world on demographics, organizational structure, and compensation.

INSIGHTS

Chief people officer focus: How leadership planning can be a foundation of stronger relationships between CPOs and boards

Jeff Sanders | Laryssa Topolnytsky, PhD | Jennifer Wilson

CEOs and directors lack confidence in their executive attraction, retention, and development strategies. CPOs who play a crucial role in improving these efforts can also build more strategically focused and influential relationships with the board.

INSIGHTS

A guide to reading your CEO’s leadership style

Bonnie Gwin | Jeff Sanders

For directors, an understanding of leadership styles can enrich judgments and discussions about CEO performance, CEO candidates, and the kind of leadership needed in specific business situations.

report

2025 Private Equity–Backed Chief Executive Officer Compensation Survey

Gustavo Alba | Jeff Sanders

This report on compensation trends for CEOs at private equity–backed firms in North America and Europe examines demographics and compensation for these professionals.

report

2024 Private Equity–Backed Chief Executive Officer Compensation Survey

Jeff Sanders

This report on compensation trends for CEOs at private equity–backed firms around the world examines demographics, organizational structure, and compensation for these professionals.

report

2023 Private Equity–Backed Chief Executive Officer Compensation Survey

Jeff Sanders

This report on compensation trends for CEOs at private equity–backed firms around the world examines demographics, organizational structure, and compensation for these professionals.

INSIGHTS

CEO succession in turbulent times

Bonnie Gwin | Jeff Sanders

When boards are faced with the crucial decision of selecting the next CEO, those that have started early and follow a rigorous process will have the best chance of finding the right leader.

report

Board Monitor US 2023

Bonnie Gwin | Jeremy Hanson | Jeff Sanders | Lyndon Taylor

Progress toward greater diversity slows this year on Fortune 500 boards.

report

Board Monitor US 2022

Bonnie Gwin | Jeremy Hanson | Jeff Sanders | Lyndon Taylor

In 2021, boards of companies in the Fortune 500 continued a trend that began in the second half of 2020: bringing in an infusion of fresh thinking by reaching out to groups of people from increasingly diverse backgrounds.

INSIGHTS

Board succession 2020: Three steps toward long-term effectiveness

Bonnie Gwin | Jeff Sanders

Boards that routinely evaluate their capabilities with strategic goals in mind and establish a diverse pipeline of potential directors will be best positioned to help their organizations reset for resilience and thrive in the long term.

report
2021 Private Equity–Backed Chief Executive Officer Compensation Survey Report
Jeff Sanders
This report on compensation trends for CEOs explores data from private equity professionals around the world on demographics, organizational structure, and compensation.
Read More
INSIGHTS
Chief people officer focus: How leadership planning can be a foundation of stronger relationships between CPOs and boards
Jeff Sanders | Laryssa Topolnytsky, PhD | Jennifer Wilson
CEOs and directors lack confidence in their executive attraction, retention, and development strategies. CPOs who play a crucial role in improving these efforts can also build more strategically focused and influential relationships with the board.
Read More
INSIGHTS
A guide to reading your CEO’s leadership style
Bonnie Gwin | Jeff Sanders
For directors, an understanding of leadership styles can enrich judgments and discussions about CEO performance, CEO candidates, and the kind of leadership needed in specific business situations.
Read More
report
2025 Private Equity–Backed Chief Executive Officer Compensation Survey
Gustavo Alba | Jeff Sanders
This report on compensation trends for CEOs at private equity–backed firms in North America and Europe examines demographics and compensation for these professionals.
Read More
report
2024 Private Equity–Backed Chief Executive Officer Compensation Survey
Jeff Sanders
This report on compensation trends for CEOs at private equity–backed firms around the world examines demographics, organizational structure, and compensation for these professionals.
Read More
report
2023 Private Equity–Backed Chief Executive Officer Compensation Survey
Jeff Sanders
This report on compensation trends for CEOs at private equity–backed firms around the world examines demographics, organizational structure, and compensation for these professionals.
Read More
INSIGHTS
CEO succession in turbulent times
Bonnie Gwin | Jeff Sanders
When boards are faced with the crucial decision of selecting the next CEO, those that have started early and follow a rigorous process will have the best chance of finding the right leader.
Read More
report
Board Monitor US 2023
Bonnie Gwin | Jeremy Hanson | Jeff Sanders | Lyndon Taylor
Progress toward greater diversity slows this year on Fortune 500 boards.
Read More
report
Board Monitor US 2022
Bonnie Gwin | Jeremy Hanson | Jeff Sanders | Lyndon Taylor
In 2021, boards of companies in the Fortune 500 continued a trend that began in the second half of 2020: bringing in an infusion of fresh thinking by reaching out to groups of people from increasingly diverse backgrounds.
Read More
INSIGHTS
Board succession 2020: Three steps toward long-term effectiveness
Bonnie Gwin | Jeff Sanders
Boards that routinely evaluate their capabilities with strategic goals in mind and establish a diverse pipeline of potential directors will be best positioned to help their organizations reset for resilience and thrive in the long term.
Read More

More by Jeff

Jeff is a co-author of Show Up to Win: How to Land the Leadership Role You Want, a practical playbook for senior leaders to sharpen how they prepare, show up, and follow through when they seek new role.

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