Kati Najipoor-Smith Named Regional Co-Managing Partner at Heidrick & Struggles

FRANKFURT, Germany (May 2, 2025) – Heidrick & Struggles, ‍a global leadership⁣ consultancy and on-demand talent solutions provider, has announced the ⁤appointment of Kati Najipoor-Smith as its new Regional Co-Managing Partner for the ⁣CEO & board Practice in Europe and Africa. Najipoor-smith will be based‍ in Frankfurt.

Extensive Experience in Leadership Growth

Najipoor-Smith brings decades of international experience in managerial consulting and executive search, specifically for ⁤CEOs and board directors. She has ‍worked with publicly traded companies, family-run businesses, and private equity-backed firms across various global sectors. Prior to joining ⁣Heidrick & ⁤Struggles, Najipoor-Smith held leadership positions at Egon Zehnder, where she led the Global⁤ Automotive and Global CEO practices. She also held ⁤meaningful roles at Roland Berger⁣ and FEV Group.

Focus on Succession Planning and Leadership Transitions

in her new role, Najipoor-Smith will focus on assisting boards of directors in establishing robust⁢ and objective succession ‍processes, as well as ⁤fostering the development of future CEOs.

“In an era characterized by unprecedented uncertainty and pressures,the value of quality leadership is more decisive than ever,” Najipoor-Smith said,emphasizing the need for a blend of human understanding and analytical precision in addressing companies’ strategic decisions.

Commitment to Women’s Leadership

Najipoor-Smith⁤ is a frequent speaker at international conferences and a co-founder of a private network for executive women,established a decade ago to promote female leadership. Her academic credentials include a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Aquisgrana, a master’s degree from the University of California, and a bachelor’s degree from the⁣ University of Portland.

Management’s Outlook

Jenni Hibbert, Global Managing Partner, Go-to-Market and Regional Leader for Europe and Africa at Heidrick & Struggles, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment. “Kati will⁤ make a significant contribution to our customers throughout the region, thanks to her talent and her unique vision,” Hibbert said.