Overview
Kati Najipoor-Smith is a partner in Heidrick & Struggles’ Frankfurt office and the regional co-managing partner of the CEO & Board of Directors Practice in Europe and Africa. She advises clients across all sectors on how to build effective and diverse boards and senior executive teams through search and succession planning for CEOs and directors, including the chair role.
Experience
Kati has decades of global executive search and consulting experience with boards and CEO clients, assisting them in navigating their complex leadership challenges.
She began her executive search career with another global search firm, where she led the global automotive and later the global CEO practice. With a worldwide network and extensive experience in CEO transitions, including many high-profile placements, Kati collaborates closely with boards to ensure robust, objective, and confidential succession processes, which include chairperson coaching and developing future CEOs.
Before her career in search, Kati spent several years in leadership roles at the management consultancies CSC Index and Roland Berger. She gained industry experience supporting automotive clients with FEV Group, a leading engineering services firm.
Kati was a guest faculty member at the St. Gallen Board Retreat on best practices in CEO succession. She is the co-author of the book Leading Global Champions and frequently speaks at panels, offering global perspectives on leadership.
Passionate about advancing female leadership, Kati co-founded a senior female executive network a decade ago, focusing on mentoring and coaching next-gen female leaders.
Education
Technical University of Aachen in Germany, Doctorate in Engineering
University of California, MSc in Mechanical Engineering
University of Portland, BSc in Mechanical Engineering