Carole Deffez

Carole Deffez is a partner in Heidrick & Struggles’ Paris office and a member of the global Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice, where she is co-leader of the global Biopharmaceuticals sector. She is also a member of the CEO & Board of Directors Practice, focusing on CEO, C-level, and non-executive recruitment and advisory work in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, dermo-cosmetics, medical devices, med-tech, and animal health sectors.

Carole has more than 25 years of experience in healthcare, with 20+ years in executive search. Before joining Heidrick & Struggles, Carole co-founded Way Wise, a consultancy providing custom-tailored corporate leadership and governance advisory services. Before that, she was with Leaders Trust and Spencer Stuart. Carole began her career as head of the Institute for International Research Healthcare division.

She is a native French speaker and fluent in both English & Italian. Carole is certified in executive coaching and transactional analysis.

ESSEC, Paris, Master’s Degree in Marketing Management

University of Missouri-Columbia, U.S.

IAE France, Post-Graduate Degree in Business Administration

Sciences Po Toulouse, Master’s Degree in Political Science

Carole is a board member at Lysogene, a biotech company specializing in gene therapy with lead programs in neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorders that affect children.