Mr. Michael J Wurster

biography

Based in Chicago, Michael serves as Managing Partner of the firm. His primary specialty is providing leadership advisory services within the hospitality/leisure, media/entertainment, sport and consumer internet markets. With nearly two decades of experience in senior leadership assessment and selection, Michael has executed assignments for Fortune 500 companies to mid-size entities, to entrepreneurial start-ups. He also brings deep international appreciation and experience, and knowledge of both developed and emerging markets. He has worked throughout North and South America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific regions on behalf of established and early-stage organizations.

Previously, Michael was a core member of the CEO / board, consumer and diversity practices for two other leading executive search firms, Heidrick & Struggles and Spencer Stuart respectively. In these roles, he specialized in the recruitment of Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officers, Presidents, Chief Operating Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Marketing Officers, Chief Digital Officers, Chief Information Officers, and other corporate officer positions.

Prior to entering the leadership advisory business, Michael served in the public sector where he directed and managed federal funding for juvenile programs for the State of Indiana.

Michael holds a bachelor's degree from Indiana University - Bloomington. He is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, The CMO Club and the American Film Institute. Michael is also active in several non-profit organizations including UNICEF, the African Wildlife Foundation, and the Jewish Community Center of Chicago. He and his wife, Laurie, reside in Highland Park, Illinois with their three children.

Areas of Expertise:

- Diversity & Inclusion

- Board Advisory

- CEO Succession, Assessment and Selection

- Corporate Officer (Operations, Marketing,

Finance, HR, IT, AI/Data/Analytics, and

Legal/Compliance/Regulatory)

- Specialty Officer (Commercial,

CyberSecurity, Risk, Revenue/Sales)

- Digital Transformation/Innovation

- Consumer (Media/Entertainment,

Hospitality/Leisure, Sports Entertainment

and Consumer Internet)

- Venture Capital

- Private Equity