Overview
Anne Lim O’Brien is vice-chair and partner in Heidrick & Struggles’ New York and Miami offices and global co-leader of the Consumer Products sector. She is a top contributor and leader in the global Consumer Markets Practice.
Experience
Anne is also a member of the global CEO & Board of Directors Practice, specializing in serving consumer clients, particularly at the CEO and board levels, within Fortune 500 companies as well as those financially sponsored by leading private equity firms and owner-founder-led companies.
With more than 30 years of executive search and talent consulting experience, Anne has partnered with boardroom clients globally to solve their governance and CEO talent and leadership needs. During this time, she has completed more than 250 such projects working at the top. She has a deep and relevant understanding of the challenges facing consumer organizations, especially within the consumer products, consumer services, and retail industries.
Her areas of sector expertise include food & beverage, personal care including trend-driven businesses in beauty, fashion, and luxury, as well as lifestyle brands.
Throughout her career, Anne has kept a special interest in boardroom effectiveness and succession as well as CEO succession and recruiting next-generation leaders – especially in diversity talent, women as well as internationally experienced executives. In 2008, Anne was recognized by Businessweek magazine as one of the world’s most influential headhunters.
Anne started her management consulting career in Singapore as an associate consultant with Price Waterhouse, focusing on Southeast Asia clients. She has served as a member of the Women's Leadership Board at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government as well as on the board of Action Against Hunger.
Education
New York University, Bachelor's Degree in Accounting
Awards
World's Most Influential Headhunters, Businessweek, 2008
Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business. Asian American Business Development Center, 2019
Philanthropy and Service
Anne is a member of Women Corporate Directors. She has served as a member of the Women's Leadership Board at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government as well as on the Board of Action Against Hunger.