Why Founder-Led Leadership Transitions Stall—And How To Get Them Right
Cowen Partners Executive Search President and Co-Founder Shawn Cole was featured in Forbes Business Council this week with insights on one of the most critical challenges facing founder-led organizations: leadership transitions. In his article, “Why Founder-Led Leadership Transitions Stall—And How To Get Them Right,” Cole examines why founder-CEO transitions are significantly more prone to failure
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Are Co-CEOs the Future of Leadership or a Sign Boards Can’t Let Go?
In his latest op-ed for CEOWorld Magazine, Shawn Cole, President and Co-founder of Cowen Partners Executive Search, dissects the growing trend of co-CEOs and what it reveals about corporate succession, or the lack thereof. Using Oracle’s recent dual promotion as a case study, he argues that many boards mistake titles for trust and succession for
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The CFO as the Reluctant CEO-in-Waiting
Due to the high stakes of financial decisions in a turbulent economy, CFOs are increasingly seen as the natural successors to CEOs. While many leadership teams recognize the high value in their CFO’s margin discipline and strategic oversight, that doesn’t always mean they’re a good fit for the top job. In fact, many finance chiefs
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Why Interim & Boomerang CEOs Are on the Rise — and What It Says About Corporate Succession
New research shows CEO turnover is accelerating at a pace that should concern every corporate board. According to data from global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, CEO departures in April 2025 surged 70% compared to the same month last year — marking one of the sharpest year-over-year increases on record. While the reasons for
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The Challenges of Family Office Succession: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Generational Conflict
By Jacob Gamble, Principal — Jacob Gamble leads executive searches in investment banking, family offices, and asset management. His analysis has been featured in Fortune, Financial Times, Bloomberg Wealth, Business Insider, and other leading publications, delivering valuable insights on legacy preservation, aggressive growth, family offices, and topics at the intersection of investment, institutional strategy, and
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Reimagining Family Office Succession: Beyond the Traditional Heir
By Jacob Gamble, Principal — Jacob Gamble leads executive searches in investment banking, family offices, and asset management. His analysis has been featured in Fortune, Financial Times, Bloomberg Wealth, Business Insider, and other leading publications, delivering valuable insights on legacy preservation, aggressive growth, family offices, and topics at the intersection of investment, institutional strategy, and
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How a growth mindset can strengthen your leadership pipeline
Building a leadership pipeline starts with empowering team members through ownership and decision-making involvement, writes Shawn Cole. As a young professional or emerging leader, you’re expected to guide your team while sharpening your skills — and that’s not easy. Leadership calls for a commitment to learning, pushing your limits and seeking new opportunities for growth.
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The Crucial Role of Succession Planning in Preserving a Brand’s Legacy
Succession planning is often a sensitive subject for many high-profile CEOs, much like the hesitation around drafting a will. This reluctance, rooted in fears of losing control, concerns about legacy, and trust issues regarding potential successors, can have significant consequences for a brand’s longevity. Let’s delve into this concept by examining several high-profile family businesses
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CFO Succession Planning: Make Sure Your Finance Team Is Ready for Anything
By Shawn Cole, President & Founder — Shawn Cole is a nationally recognized authority on CFO recruiting. His insights regularly appear in Forbes, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, CFO Dive, Entrepreneur, and other leading publications, delivering nuanced and critical analysis on executive recruitment, succession planning, enterprise transformation, and the evolving
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CFO Succession Planning: Ensuring Your Company’s Future Success
By CFO Recruiter Shawn Cole — Top CFO Recruiter Shawn Cole is a trusted thought leader and premier authority on CFO recruitment across all industries. As President & Co-Founder of Cowen Partners, Shawn Cole is a trailblazing leader in the CFO recruiting space, known for finding exceptional talent while uncovering key insights about today’s C-suite
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