Overview
Scott Atkinson is a partner in Heidrick & Struggles’ San Francisco office and a member of the CEO & Board of Directors and Financial Officers practices. He conducts CEO and CFO searches for a wide range of leading companies. Scott has extensive experience with private equity-backed growth companies, late-stage private, and a range of public companies. He also leads the Sustainability & Climate Practice and is a highly respected adviser to companies developing scalable, commercial solutions that address critical global challenges.
Experience
As the founder of the global Sustainability & Climate Practice, Scott consults and advises organizations on leadership solutions to address the challenges they face in today’s world. He also places senior-level executives with technology companies that are experiencing growth, including venture capital- and private equity-backed companies, as well as Fortune 500 companies, focusing on innovation, restructuring, and international expansion. Previously, Scott held several senior leadership roles within the firm, including head of the global Venture Capital Practice.
Scott joined Heidrick & Struggles from Digital.ai, a TPG Capital-backed technology company focused on helping Global 5000 enterprises achieve their digital transformation goals. Scott began his executive search career with a boutique firm, where he consulted with high-growth technology companies.
He is frequently quoted in leading news and business publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and Thomson Reuters, and is a regular guest speaker on industry panels and at major universities.
Education
Johns Hopkins University, MS in Environmental Sciences & Policy, with a concentration in Conservation Biology
Middlebury College, BA in History
Awards
Wall Street's Top Sustainability Recruiters, Business Insider, 2022
Philanthropy and Service
Scott is on the board of The Jane Goodall Institute USA, a community conservation organization that advances the vision and work of Dr. Jane Goodall.