William O'Leary

Overview

Bill O’Leary is the partner in charge of Heidrick & Struggles’ Washington D.C. office and a member of the CEO & Board of Directors; Legal, Risk, Compliance & Government Affairs; Financial Services; Associations; and Social Impact practices. He focuses on talent and leadership advisory efforts at the CEO, board, and c-suite roles that are at the intersection of policy, advocacy, and business. He specializes in the areas of external affairs, corporate affairs, government affairs, communications, and marketing.

Experience

Bill has spent most of his career in Washington, D.C. having begun his career on the 1992 Clinton presidential campaign. He then worked for the White House and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in communications and external outreach roles. Following the SEC, Bill worked in financial services in marketing and communications roles at Citigroup, Fannie Mae and a technology start-up. He also was the chief marketing officer for Georgetown University, where he developed and led global marketing and communications efforts.

Prior to joining Heidrick & Struggles, Bill worked for a global executive search firm where he helped build and co-lead the global corporate affairs practice and led the government affairs practice.

Education

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business, MBA

Johns Hopkins University, Master's Degree 

University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Bachelor's Degree

Philanthropy and Service

Bill serves on the Advisory Board for the College of Arts and Humanities at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.