Korn Ferry CEO and leadership

Gary Burnison is the CEO of Korn Ferry. Under his leadership, Korn Ferry has been transformed to a global organizational consulting firm with more than 7,500 colleagues. Today Korn Ferry works with clients to design their organizational structures, roles and responsibilities. The firm helps organizations hire the right people and advise them on how to reward, develop and motivate their workforce. The firm also helps professionals navigate and advance their careers.Burnison is the author of seven leadership and career development books, including a New York Times bestseller. His latest book, Leadership U: Accelerating Through the Crisis Curve, helps leaders activate their teams amid unprecedented challenges and change. Burnison writes regular content focused on the intersection of strategy, talent and leadership, including his widely-read weekly “Special Editions” for global leaders. He is also a regular contributor to CNBC and other major media outlets.Visit kornferry.com for more information.

Michael Distefano, splits time between the US and Asia. For the past 3+ years he has been the President, Asia Pacific. In October 2020, he took on the roles of CEO for Korn Ferry's Professional Search business and Global Leader for Search Delivery Operations. He is also a member of the Firm’s Global Operating Committee.He brings over 20 years of experience to Korn Ferry. Between 2007 and 2017, he was Chief Marketing Officer of Korn Ferry and President of the Korn Ferry Institute. Mr. Distefano joined Korn Ferry initially in 2001 as the Chief Marketing Officer of Futurestep. During his tenure at the Firm, Mr. Distefano has guided the transformation of the Korn Ferry brand from a leader in executive search into a single source of leadership and talent consulting services.In 2008, Mr. Distefano helped launch the Firm's think tank, the Korn Ferry Institute, and in 2009 Mr. Distefano launched Korn Ferry Briefings on Talent & Leadership, the Firm’s award winning publication.Earlier in his career, Mr. Distefano was vice president of acquisition marketing and new channel development at GetSmart.com, acquired by Providian Financial Company in 1999 and now part of LendingTree.com. Before joining GetSmart, Mr. Distefano served as director of marketing at Benefits Consultants, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Cendant Corporation. Mr. Distefano began his marketing career at TIAA-CREF. He is or has been an active member of the Public Relations Society of America, the CMO Council, the CMO Club, and a board member on the L.A. Chamber of Commerce.Mr. Distefano earned a bachelor’s in economics from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and was named one of the world’s top 500 CMO’s by Exec Rank (number 146 in 2014 and number 499 in 2012).

Gary Burnison is the CEO of Korn Ferry. Under his leadership, Korn Ferry has been transformed to a global organizational consulting firm with more than 7,500 colleagues. Today Korn Ferry works with clients to design their organizational structures, roles and responsibilities. The firm helps organizations hire the right people and advise them on how to reward, develop and motivate their workforce. The firm also helps professionals navigate and advance their careers.Burnison is the author of seven leadership and career development books, including a New York Times bestseller. His latest book, Leadership U: Accelerating Through the Crisis Curve, helps leaders activate their teams amid unprecedented challenges and change. Burnison writes regular content focused on the intersection of strategy, talent and leadership, including his widely-read weekly “Special Editions” for global leaders. He is also a regular contributor to CNBC and other major media outlets.Visit kornferry.com for more information.