Boyden Elects Chair; Adds New Board Members
June 17, 2025 – Boyden has re-elected Kathleen Dunton as chair of the board of directors, reaffirming her leadership and vision for the firm’s future. In addition to continuing her role as chair, she has also been re-elected to serve as an at-large board member for a third consecutive term.
Ms. Dunton brings nearly 30 years of experience in executive search and has developed a deep expertise in the private equity, industrial and professional services sectors. As the head of the private equity and venture capital practice for EMEA, she plays a key role in advising early-stage and high-growth companies, working closely with both regional and international teams.
“I’m honored to have been re-elected as chair of the board,” said Ms. Dunton. “In the last year we’ve achieved significant milestones and I look forward to not only working with our new and returning board members, but also with the outstanding team at Boyden to continue to deliver the highest quality of service to our clients.”
Boyden also elected Henrik Harbo as an at-large board member and managing partner in Denmark, recognizing his continued contributions and dedication. His experience will remain an integral part of the firm’s growth and success. Alongside Ms. Dunton and Mr. Harbo’s re-election, Boyden also added João Guedes Vaz, managing partner Portugal and Robert Travis, managing partner U.S. as newly elected at-large directors. “Their combined areas of expertise encompass a wide range of critical skills and industry knowledge, each bringing proven track records of success to the board,” the firm said.
Before embarking on his career in executive search, Mr. Harbo built a track record in senior investment banking and financial positions within leading global organizations, earning recognition as a respected business leader across the Nordic region and internationally. With a decade of experience in executive search, he brings extensive expertise in client placements spanning M&A, corporate finance, strategy, and valuation, as well as the energy, industrial, and retail sectors. With Mr. Harbo’s re-election, Boyden will continue to leverage his financial acumen, ensuring informed decisions on key financial and strategic matters before the board.
Mr. Guedes Vaz’s experience in leadership consulting spans nearly two decades and is concentrated in multicultural and multinational organizations. He has collaborated with some of the largest corporations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa across a variety of industries and currently leads Boyden’s leadership consulting practice in Portugal. “His cross-continental experience positions him to offer a diverse global perspective,” Boyden said. “This election marks João’s first time serving on the board, and his experience reflects the confidence placed in his abilities to contribute meaningfully to the firm’s future.”
Mr. Travis has spent over 25 years in executive search and brings his expertise in manufacturing, fabrication, energy/energy services and technology sectors to the board as a newly elected member. “His experience in various roles across the C-Suite give him a holistic understanding of organizational leadership,” Boyden said. Mr. Travis originally joined the board in 2007, serving three consecutive terms, and after a brief hiatus, he returned for a short tenure from 2018-2020.
Boyden, headquartered in Purchase, NY, is a leadership and talent advisory firm with more than 70 offices in over 45 countries. Established in 1946, the firm continues to expand and add talent across several global regions. Boyden offers executive search, interim management and leadership consulting solutions. In the last three years, Boyden conducted over 1,000 searches in the financial officers space.
New Practice Leader
Boyden recently expanded its global financial services practice group and named Kathy Pattillo as its leader. The expansion of Boyden’s practice group includes additional infrastructure, research capabilities, and a broader operating group of consultants across every global geography.
“As the responsibilities of financial leaders become more nuanced, so does the search for talent to fill these roles,” Boyden said. “Financial officers are now expected to play a larger part in shaping the company, leading business transformations, partnering cross-functionally to deliver value, and managing mergers and acquisitions. Given the demand from Boyden’s clients for leaders to meet these demands, the firm is committing to a more advanced platform to deliver high quality outcomes.”
“This is an area where Boyden has long been a trusted partner,” said Chad Hesters, president and CEO of Boyden. “At Boyden we look to actively adapt and grow alongside as the demands and responsibilities for the c-suite change. The updates to this practice area strengthen our commitment to delivering top financial leadership and help us better support organizations navigating the evolving demands of these critical roles.”
Ms. Pattillo has over 20 years’ experience in executive search and consulting. She leads searches for CFO, CAO, CIO, CHRO and other C-level roles, and functional leaders in finance, accounting, human resources, technology, operations, and other disciplines. Ms. Pattillo has broad industry experience, with specialized expertise in manufacturing, industrial, EPC, healthcare, and energy (upstream, downstream, midstream, power, utilities, renewables, and oil field services). She has experience working with C-suite executives on corporate strategy, operational improvement, IPOs, M&A, business transformation, risk mitigation, compliance, acquisition integration, automation, data integrity and change management. Ms. Pattillo joined Boyden in 2023.
Related: Boyden Expands in East Africa
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
