Korn Ferry Becomes Founding Partner of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games

January 29, 2026 – Staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games is one of the most complex operational undertakings in the world, requiring a massive workforce to execute everything from security and logistics to transportation, technology, hospitality, and athlete services. It is essential to hire the right people and build a strong leadership structures.

Korn Ferry has established a strategic partnership to serve as a founding partner of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. As the official talent & organizational consulting partner for the LA28 Games and Team USA, Korn Ferry will bring the firm’s full suite of talent, leadership, and organizational capabilities to one of the world’s most inspiring stages.

“With millions of fans, thousands of athletes and countless volunteers, the LA28 Games will display a beautiful mosaic of people, perspectives and passion on one of the world’s most inspiring stages,” said Gary D. Burnison, CEO of Korn Ferry. “Our partnership is all about building the culture and energy that will define the Games. Simply put, we’re powering the people who power the LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games.”

Korn Ferry is working directly with LA28 to hire, onboard, and develop the nearly 5,000-people workforce needed to deliver the Games, while cultivating leaders and high-performing teams that reflect the spirit of Los Angeles and the Olympics and Paralympics. The partnership has been deployed throughout the organization and will continue to showcase Korn Ferry’s brand during the Games.

“The 2028 Games will celebrate human potential and achievement with moments that unite the Los Angeles community, the nation and people around the globe,” said Casey Wasserman, chairperson and president, LA28. “Our work with Korn Ferry began nearly two years ago with the placement of Reynold Hoover as our CEO. Now, through our expanded partnership, we are building the team that will bring the LA28 Games to life and inspire the world.”

CEO Search

In 2024, Korn Ferry recruited Mr. Hoover as the new CEO of the LA28. “Reynold is a mission first, people always leader,” said Mr. Burnison. “LA28 has an incredibly gifted and experienced CEO, uniquely qualified to bring together the spirit and purpose of the Olympic and Paralympic Games as the world comes to Los Angeles. With millions of fans, thousands of athletes and countless volunteers, these games will display a beautiful mosaic of people, perspectives and passion – and I know LA28, Casey Wasserman and Reynold will bring out the best of everyone involved.”

“Reynold is one of the few people in the nation who possesses the operational and logistics expertise that the Olympic and Paralympic Games require,” said Mr. Wasserman. “He’s been tasked with some of our nation’s most complex challenges, and we are fortunate to have him on our team as we prepare to welcome the world in 2028.”

The LA28 Games will mark Los Angeles’ third time to host the Olympic Games, previously hosted in 1984 and 1932, and first time to host the Paralympic Games. The LA28 Games are independently operated by a privately funded, non-profit organization with revenue from corporate partners, licensing agreements, hospitality and ticketing programs and a significant contribution from the International Olympic Committee.

Related: Korn Ferry Retained by Orbis International for CEO Search

“Helping to deliver an Olympic and Paralympic Games on American soil will serve as the capstone of my career in public service,” said Mr. Hoover. “Sport is a powerful convening force, and it is the opportunity of a lifetime to bring the Los Angeles community, the nation and the world together through the games. I look forward to working with LA28’s talented team and the many dedicated community and business partners to help deliver another successful games in Los Angeles.”

Odgers Berndtson Tapped to Fill Posts for 2032 Olympic Games

Odgers Berndtson has been appointed to find five independent directors, including the president, to serve on the organizing committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane. Federal Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said a “rigorous recruitment process will ensure an unparalleled line-up of board directors working in the best interests of Queenslanders and all Australians.” The Australian and Queensland governments said they will work with Odgers to identify the officials, at least one of whom should be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. The chosen representatives will be determined by prime minister Scott Morrison and Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. “I’m delighted that the Australian and Queensland governments will work with Odgers Berndtson to identify, attract and secure the best talent for these important positions,” said Ms. Palaszczuk. “The organizing committee will be responsible for driving Brisbane 2032 forward and delivering a great Olympic and Paralympic Games. To do this we need to recruit the best people in the world.”

Ms. Palaszczuk said the appointment of Odgers Berndtson as its executive search partner would attract people with world-class skills and experience. “I’m delighted that the Australian and Queensland governments will work with Odgers Berndtson to identify, attract and secure the best talent for these important positions,” she said.

A U.S. Army and National Guard veteran, Mr. Hoover earned the rank of lieutenant general, with three stars. Most recently, he served as deputy commander, U.S. northern command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs from 2016 until he retired in 2018. Among his many military assignments, he oversaw logistics as commander, Joint Sustainment Command Afghanistan, during Operation Enduring Freedom from 2009 until 2010, and he commanded the 167th Theater Sustainment Command from 2011 until 2014. Since his retirement from the military, Mr. Hoover has served as senior mentor at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, PA, as a senior fellow at the McCrary Institute at Auburn University, and was a member of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council.

Korn Ferry is a Los Angeles-headquartered executive recruiter and leadership consultant and the largest globally and in the Americas. The firm’s 8,600 colleagues serve clients in more than 50 countries.

Korn Ferry has a highly developed sports practice, led by Jed Hughes. His relationships within sports and intercollegiate athletics are extensive, having spent 20 years coaching in professional and intercollegiate football and working for five Hall of Fame coaches. The firm’s sports practice has conducted a number of prominent searches in the field, including commissioners for the National Football League and Major League Baseball, as well as the CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Korn Ferry’s sports practice has a global footprint and elite relationships inside and across sports, media, technology, and entertainment.

Related: Korn Ferry Launches New Talent Suite

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media