Kevin Connelly is a seasoned search professional and consults with clients on executive leadership succession and board projects. Previously, he was the chief executive officer of Spencer Stuart and prior to that, served as chairman of the firm for six years. As CEO, Kevin had focused Spencer Stuart on delivering differentially better outcomes, measured in terms of the leadership performance, cultural fit and durability of the executives selected. As a result of these experiences, Kevin is able to bring firsthand perspectives to his work.
Leadership and search expertise with global perspective
- Currently based in Chicago, Kevin brings a global perspective to his responsibilities, drawing upon his wide-ranging experience as chairman, chief executive officer, his prior leadership of the firm’s business in the United States, Japan, Canada and Mexico, and his global oversight of the Industrial and Financial Services practices. He has also led the Financial Officer Practice in North America, managed the Chicago office and served on the firm’s board of directors.
- Before joining Spencer Stuart, Kevin worked as chief financial officer and later as chief operating officer and a member of the board of directors for a supplier to the world’s leading automobile manufacturers. He began his career in the financial services industry, where he held various leadership positions.
- Kevin is a member of the steering committee of the Annual Corporate Governance Conference hosted by the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and co-sponsored by Spencer Stuart. This long-running event gathers hundreds of top board directors each year to debate and discuss evolving governance issues.
- He serves on the corporate board of directors for BMO Financial Corporation, Claridges Trust Company and Miami Corporation. He is a member of The Commercial Club of Chicago.
Kevin earned an M.B.A. from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and received a B.A. from Marquette University.