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Eric is a Managing Director in the firm’s Board & CEO Services practice, providing…
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Eric Douglas Keene reposted thisEric Douglas Keene reposted thisWe are proud to announce that Steve Mollenkopf, Independent Chair of Boeing, has been named this year’s recipient of The Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. Chair of the Year Award. The award recognizes an independent Chair who has helped guide a board and company through significant turbulence while demonstrating exceptional leadership, character, and integrity. The goal is to recognize a leader who met the moment when it mattered most. Boeing occupies a unique place in our country, making the challenges facing the company especially consequential. The selection committee believed Steve was especially deserving of this recognition given the turbulence the Board has navigated, the complexity of the issues it has confronted, and the importance of the CEO transition to Kelly Ortberg. Steve has helped build a boardroom culture defined by transparency, genuine collaboration, and an ability to draw on the full experience and judgment of the board. While the company’s evolution continues, his leadership during this period has helped the board and the company create a stronger path forward. Our inaugural honoree, Sarah Nash, set a powerful precedent, demonstrating how strong board leadership can help an organization navigate unexpected challenges. Joe Echevarria followed, showing how values-driven leadership and authenticity can build trust and elevate decision-making in the boardroom. Steve carries that tradition forward. What unites Sarah, Joe, and Steve is something that cannot be manufactured: integrity. A commitment to doing what is right for the organization, for the people who depend on it, and for the long term. Those are the qualities Russ values most, and they are the qualities this award was created to recognize. Thank you to our selection committee and to all the directors who submitted nominations. Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. RSR Partners #ChairOfTheYear #boardofdirectors #boardleadership #charactermatters #boardbuilding #CorporateGovernance #LeadershipMatters #ValuesDrivenLeadership Carter L. Burgess, Jr. Greg Lau Lindsay Griesmeyer Susan Gilbert Edward Fowler Jim Whittle Kimberly Melcer Thames Fulton Eric Douglas Keene Russell S. Reynolds III Maryann Bovich Alan Renne Summit Leadership Partners Brunswick Group Bain & Company Sarah E. Nash Kim Lew Nikhil Deogun Mikaela Boyd Dan Hawkins https://lnkd.in/ggKQucyYSteve Mollenkopf Announced as The Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. Chair of the Year Award Recipient - RSR PartnersSteve Mollenkopf Announced as The Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. Chair of the Year Award Recipient - RSR Partners
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Eric Douglas Keene reposted thisEric Douglas Keene reposted thisBeyond the cadence of reporting lies the true heart of the board: the judgment required to preserve the past while shaping the future. Thames Fulton of our #boardrecruiting practice, expands in the thought piece below. https://lnkd.in/ehW2Y62CStewardship as a Governing Obligation - RSR PartnersStewardship as a Governing Obligation - RSR Partners
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Eric Douglas Keene reposted thisEric Douglas Keene reposted thisI’m honored to share that US Squash has selected RSR Partners to lead the search for the organization’s next CEO. Over my career, I have led numerous CEO searches, but this one is deeply personal for me as the squash community has had such a profound impact on me and my family. Many in the sport feel the same way, which is why they are so passionate about growing the game and expanding this special community. With squash set to make its historic Olympic debut at LA28 in the Comcast Squash Center at Universal Studios Hollywood, the first Olympic venue to carry a corporate-sponsored name, the stage is set for unprecedented visibility and impact. Under Kevin Klipstein’s two decades of foundational leadership, US Squash now has the opportunity to continue growing the sport, supporting its world-class athletes, and ensuring a vibrant and inclusive squash community. I will personally be leading this important engagement along with my colleague Lindsay Griesmeyer. We are excited to partner with the search committee, to identify a visionary leader who can help seize this extraordinary moment, and guide the organization through its Olympic debut and beyond. For any inquiries or candidate recommendations related to the search, please reach out to ussquash@rsrpartners.com. https://lnkd.in/efNxyZDuUS Squash Board of Directors Selects RSR Partners to Lead CEO SearchUS Squash Board of Directors Selects RSR Partners to Lead CEO Search
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Eric Douglas Keene reposted thisEric Douglas Keene reposted thisWhat an interesting and thought provoking article. If public company boards were to embrace at least some of the practices that PE firms utilize in their portfolio company boards that are highlighted in this article, they could be much more effective. https://lnkd.in/eQxFZhDm #CorporateBoards #PrivateEquity #CorporateGovernance #LeadershipHow public-company boards can thrive by adopting private equity practicesHow public-company boards can thrive by adopting private equity practices
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Eric Douglas Keene reposted thisEric Douglas Keene reposted thisFor all our CEO searches this year, our clients have made the ability to “Win Hearts and Minds” as one of the top selection criteria. And a candidate’s storytelling talent is one of the best guideposts to project their potential impact as CEO. RSR Partners #ceoselection #ceosuccession https://lnkd.in/eE_CbhMm Sent from McKinsey Insights, available in App Store: https://lnkd.in/eFCtQjdh and Play Store: https://lnkd.in/epmrYiZG
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Eric Douglas Keene reposted thisEric Douglas Keene reposted thisWe are proud to announce that Joe Echevarria, Chair of the Board at The Bank of New York (BNY), has been named this year’s recipient of The Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. Chair of the Year Award. Our inaugural honoree, Sarah Nash, set a powerful precedent—demonstrating how visionary board leadership can guide companies through transformation and challenge. Joe follows in that tradition. Joe’s authentic and values-driven leadership is a guiding force in his role as Chair of BNY. Joe and Sarah represent the best of board leadership—not only for their impact in the boardroom, but for the integrity and character they bring to every decision. These are the qualities that Russ values most. A heartfelt thank you to our selection committee—Mikaela Boyd, Nikhil Deogun, Dan Hawkins, Kim Lew, and Sarah E. Nash —for their thoughtful deliberation, and to all the directors who submitted nominations. Today’s board Chairs are setting a new bar for leadership—and we’re proud to honor those leading the way. Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. RSR Partners BNY Deloitte University of Miami Pfizer Unum #ChairOfTheYear #boardofdirectors #boardleadership #charactermatters #boardbuilding #CorporateGovernance #LeadershipMatters #ValuesDrivenLeadership Carter L. Burgess, Jr. Greg Lau Lindsay Griesmeyer Eric Douglas Keene Russell S. Reynolds III Maryann Bovich Alan Renne Al Zollar Summit Leadership Partners Brunswick Group https://lnkd.in/e3ncHFjWThe Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. Chair of the Year Award Recognizes Joe Echevarria - RSR PartnersThe Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. Chair of the Year Award Recognizes Joe Echevarria - RSR Partners
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Eric Douglas Keene shared thisA special thanks to my guests: Anne Alonzo, Joe Hurd, Ellis Jones, Ramon Jones, Loan Nguyen Mansy, Beth Simermeyer, NACD.DC, Sally Washlow, and Virginia (Gina) Wilson.Eric Douglas Keene shared thisOn Wednesday evening, we hosted our 23rd Annual Directors Dinner at The Links in NYC. Our guest speaker, Chuck Whitten, Global Head of Bain Digital, engaged our audience of almost 60 public company directors with his compelling and unique perspective on “AI’s Strategic Impact on Corporate Boards.” His message was clear – AI is not just another tool; it’s a fundamental business transformation. Boards play a pivotal role in ensuring their companies adopt AI and compete in an AI-driven world. Heading into proxy season, he shared five critical AI questions every board should be asking themselves and their leadership teams. See below for three of these questions, and feel free to connect with Chuck who can reveal the rest. 1️⃣ What are the 2-3 AI battlegrounds that will define our industry’s competitive landscape? 2️⃣ Is our CEO curious, engaged, and dedicating real time to an AI transformation? 3️⃣ Is AI a standing topic on our Board agenda? If not, why? RSR Partners #BoardLeadership #AITransformation #CorporateGovernance #RSRPartners #AIDrivenFuture Mikaela Boyd The Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. Chair of the Year Award Carter L. Burgess, Jr. Alan Renne Eric Douglas Keene Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. Greg Lau Lindsay Griesmeyer Don McMurchy Thames Fulton
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Eric Douglas Keene posted thisJoined my RSR Partners colleague Don McMurchy at the Private Directors Association® - Cleveland Chapter event "Key Governance Considerations in Forming an ESOP Owned Company". Thanks to our speakers: Peter Jones, Shawn Ely, Robert Nara, Dan Bender, our moderator Frank Fantozzi, our host Bill Koehler, and our venue Great Lakes Brewing Company.
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Eric Douglas Keene shared thisThanks again to my recent guests of the event! Dale LeFebvre Steve Shyn Dwight Gibson Kim Nelson Kevin A. Henry Sally Washlow Anne Alonzo Dennis ArcherEric Douglas Keene shared thisRSR Partners is excited to announce that nominations are now open for The Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. Chair of the Year Award. The award annually recognizes a Chair who has successfully led a public company through a recent and significant business or governance challenge. Any Chair of a U.S. public company with revenue or a market cap greater than $1 billion may be considered. To nominate a Chair for the award, please follow the attached link. Last year’s inaugural winner, Sarah E. 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. 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, investments, strategy, shareholder activism defense, and corporate governance. The 2024 Selection Committee: Mikaela Boyd, Americas Financial Services Practice Leader of Bain & Company Nikhil Deogun, CEO of the Americas of Brunswick Group Dan Hawkins, Founder & CEO of Summit Leadership Partners Kim Lew, President and CEO of Columbia Investment Management Company Sarah E. Nash, 2023 Chair of the Year Award Recipient Brett Stephens, CEO of RSR Partners The winner of the award will be announced in February 2025 at the RSR Partners’ Annual Directors Dinner in New York City. #chairoftheyearaward Russell S. Reynolds, Jr. Carter L. Burgess, Jr. Alan Renne Greg Lau Lindsay Griesmeyer Eric Douglas Keene Thames Fulton Maryann Bovich Jim Whittle Edward Fowler Kimberly Melcer Don McMurchy Russell S. Reynolds III Jane Bierwirth Todd Ruppert Chris Kay Mayumi Yamamoto-Kilbourne Emily Kochard Melissa Durden Hillary Lane Anna McMurchy Beth DeLucia Lynette Quaglia Jillian Kreiman Dick Hoag Timothy "Tim" O'Brien
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Eric Douglas Keene liked thisEric Douglas Keene liked thisWe stand on the shoulders of giants. Last week, I had the privilege of celebrating some of them. In honor of McKinsey & Company's 100-year anniversary, we brought together over 100 alumni of the McKinsey Black Network (MBN)—representing generations of leadership, impact, and service—to celebrate the community and honor those who paved the way. It was an incredibly special evening. To gather in Chicago, McKinsey’s founding city, at the newly opened Obama Presidential Library made the occasion even more meaningful. I’m grateful to the alumni who continue to invest in this community (including James H. Lowry, Byron Auguste, and Bernard Loyd, among so many others), to my fellow Partners who traveled from near and far to join us, and to the incredible team who brought this evening to life. May we each ask ourselves: How are we paving the way for those that follow in our footsteps? #McKinsey100 #Community #Leadership
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Eric Douglas Keene liked thisEric Douglas Keene liked thisI am so excited to welcome Ramon Jones to Cleveland Clinic as our new Global Chief Marketing Officer! In the short time Ramon has been with Cleveland Clinic, I’ve been encouraged by his genuine curiosity and excitement about how his experience and insights can help move our mission forward. It’s clear that he is looking toward the future with a real appreciation for the work we do and the impact we can make across our global footprint. Ramon brings 25 years of experience from Nationwide, where he most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. His expertise in marketing, strategic communications, digital engagement, and operations will be a strong asset as Cleveland Clinic continues to advance healthcare. I’m excited for what’s ahead and for the ways Ramon’s experience and perspective will contribute to the important work happening across Cleveland Clinic. Welcome to Cleveland Clinic, Ramon! We’re so lucky to have you!
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Eric Douglas Keene liked thisEric Douglas Keene liked thisI had the opportunity to speak with Walden Siew of The Wall Street Journal and Patrick Villanova of BlackLine. We had a great discussion on what this shift means for finance leaders and their teams due to the impact of AI. Not long ago, the focus was on automation and efficiency. Today, the discussion has shifted to something much bigger: how finance organizations can reinvent the way work gets done by combining human judgment with AI and intelligent agents. A few observations stand out: The future of finance isn't human or AI. It's human and AI. As data volumes continue to grow, competitive advantage will come from how effectively organizations turn insight into action. Technical skills remain critical, but the demand for critical thinking, judgment, and business acumen is only increasing. The most successful organizations are not simply deploying new technology. They are reimagining operating models, workforce skills, and ways of working. Finance is entering a new era of reinvention. The leaders who embrace this change thoughtfully will be best positioned to drive growth, resilience, and value creation in the years ahead. Thank you to The Wall Street Journal and Patrick Villanova for the discussion. Read the full article: WSJ article: https://lnkd.in/gRR8Ass4
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Eric Douglas Keene liked thisEric Douglas Keene liked thisI wrote recently that CEO succession does not end when the successor is selected. The predecessor, internal candidates who were not chosen, the executive team and the board can all affect whether a succession ultimately succeeds. There is a related issue that comes even earlier. CEO succession is not simply a judgment about which individual is best qualified to lead the company next. It is also a judgment about the leadership system the company will need around that person. This matters particularly when a long-tenured or unusually consequential CEO leaves. Over time, successful CEOs often accumulate responsibilities that extend well beyond a position description: capital allocation, culture, talent development, external relationships, partnership with the board, and institutional knowledge that may become associated with the individual rather than the office. The natural question is who can replace that person. I think the better place to start is by asking what, exactly, needs to be replaced. Some responsibilities should transfer to the next CEO. Others may be better located with the chair, another executive or the board. Some may no longer be necessary. And the strategy ahead may require capabilities that were never central to the predecessor's role. Several current transitions illustrate this. At PetMeds, naming a permanent CEO also means separating the CEO and Chair roles again and establishing new independent board leadership. At Cabot, the promotion of CFO Erica McLaughlin to CEO creates another succession requirement, with an interim CFO named while the company searches for her successor. At Berkshire Hathaway, responsibilities accumulated over decades are now distributed across Greg Abel as CEO, Howard Buffett as Chair, Susan Decker as Lead Independent Director, and Warren Buffett as Chairman Emeritus and a continuing director. The circumstances are very different, but the underlying point is similar. A CEO transition changes more than the name at the top. It can also change the roles, relationships and allocation of authority around that position. That is why I think the most useful succession work begins before writing the candidate specification. What does the enterprise need to accomplish over the next several years? What should the next CEO own, and what should reside elsewhere? Which of the departing leader's contributions need to be preserved, and which should be deliberately redistributed? What capabilities will the strategy require next? Answering those questions does not make selecting the right individual less important. It makes the definition of the right individual more precise. The objective should not be to recreate the departing CEO. It should be to understand the leadership system the company will need for its next chapter, and then determine what contribution the person at its center needs to make. #CEOSuccession #CorporateGovernance
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Eric Douglas Keene liked thisEric Douglas Keene liked thisThere’s something special happening in Ohio. Earlier this summer, CNBC ranked Ohio as the #1 state for business. And the state leads its Great Lakes peers in growth, jobs, population flows, and investment. This momentum reflects two decades of deliberate coordination and collaboration, yet every second counts and Ohio must play for all four quarters to win in the next economy. I was honored to talk about where Ohio has a right to win at our Future of Ohio event last week as we celebrated McKinsey’s new office in Columbus. Thank you to our co-hosts at the Columbus Partnership and the dozens of leaders from across the state who joined us for a lively discussion. If you’re invested in making our region the most prosperous in the country, check out our firm’s recent publishing on where Ohio can mobilize investment in growing arenas, how to prepare Ohio workers for an AI-driven future, and why sustainable, inclusive prosperity can be within reach https://lnkd.in/euUwMYRY
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Eric Douglas Keene liked thisEric Douglas Keene liked thisLast Friday, I had the honor of speaking to different groups of students, business owners and citizens in Sanger, California about my first-hand experience in the Pentagon twenty-five years ago on September 11, 2001. I am grateful I could share my memory about that consequential day but, more importantly, for the opportunity to challenge everyone to honor those who perished that day and their families by stepping up to serve our country and each other today. We can all serve whether it’s on the battlefield or in the boardroom or anywhere else because leadership and citizenship are not about status, but stewardship; not credentials, but contributions. If we do that, then September 11th remains more than a tragedy we commemorate. It becomes a promise we commit to keep: a promise to remember the people; a promise to imitate the courage; a promise to practice citizenship; a promise to step forward when the moment requires it. What we were given on September 11, 2001 was not only a memory; it was a responsibility. And 25 years later, that responsibility is ours... I want to give a shout-out, thanks, "y un fuerte abrazo" to everyone who did the heavy lifting to organize these events and all who participated including the staff and faculty and students of Sanger High School, and local civic leaders and first responders. I especially want to call out Michael Montelongo, my cousin, who once was the Mayor of the City Of Sanger and now serves as a Council member for the City of Sanger, District 4 and Lorenzo R., Chief Executive Officer of Clovis Veterans Memorial District. A former Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army and retired Army officer, Lorenzo is doing a fabulous job honoring and supporting veterans and promoting civic education in his community. We did not know each other until this event and to our surprise, we both served as assistant professors at West Point in the same department -- the Department of Social Sciences, USMA! Thank you, Mike and Lorenzo for all you selflessly do to serve and enrich your families and citizens.
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Eric Douglas Keene liked thisEric Douglas Keene liked thisCongratulations to TIAA CREF Funds in the recruitment of Steve Medina and Thomas Rampulla! The RSR team that managed the search included Maryann Bovich and Emily Kochard.
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Eric Douglas Keene liked thisEric Douglas Keene liked thisI spent much of this summer trying to answer a question that became more interesting the deeper I went: If intelligence becomes dramatically less expensive, what should a company become capable of? It led me from institutional credit to a much bigger question about AI, organizations, and what we’re building at Conektiq. I wrote about what I learned — and what we built along the way.
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Eric Douglas Keene liked thisCongratulations, Ramon! An exciting and well-deserved next chapter. Wishing you every success as you take on this important leadership role at Cleveland Clinic.Eric Douglas Keene liked thisBECA congratulates Founding Member Ramon Jones on his new role as Chief Marketing Officer at Cleveland Clinic. Ramon brings more than two decades of marketing and business leadership to the role. As EVP and CMO of Nationwide, he transformed a Fortune 100 marketing organization, driving record growth and modernizing how one of America's most trusted brands connects with its customers. Throughout his career, Ramon has shown that strong leadership is about more than business results. It’s about building trust, developing people, and creating lasting impact. As a BECA Founding Member, Ramon has long demonstrated that same commitment through his investment in others and his work to create opportunities for the next generation. As he steps into this new role, Ramon brings a proven ability to strengthen brands, deepen trust, and build connections that matter. Congratulations, Ramon. We’re proud to celebrate this next chapter and look forward to the impact of your leadership at Cleveland Clinic. #BECA #BECAStrong #ClevelandClinic
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Past President and Director Emeritus - The Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University
Honors & Awards
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Outstanding Alumni Award
Weatherhead School of Management
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Top 50 Under 50 Executive Leaders
Diversity MBA Magazine
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