John Stefanek

Based in Chicago, he advises boards, executive leadership teams, infrastructure investors, private equity firms, and portfolio companies on leadership and talent strategies that support growth, scale, operational excellence, and long-term value creation across the data center and digital infrastructure ecosystem.

John works extensively with hyperscale operators, colocation providers, telecommunications and fiber companies, infrastructure developers, private equity sponsors, and technology-enabled businesses. He partners with clients to identify and recruit transformative executives capable of leading through periods of rapid expansion, digital transformation, infrastructure deployment, operational complexity, and evolving customer demands. His work spans critical leadership roles across operations, technology, commercial, and general management functions.

In addition to leading Korn Ferry's U.S. Data Center Practice, John is an active member of the firm's Global Technology Markets practice, where he specializes in recruiting and advising commercial and go-to-market leaders across technology-enabled businesses. He partners with clients on leadership needs spanning Chief Revenue Officers, Chief Commercial Officers, Chief Sales Officers, Business Unit Presidents, General Managers, and other executives responsible for accelerating growth, expanding market share, building high-performing commercial organizations, and driving enterprise value. Complementing his commercial leadership work, John also advises on Technology and Digital Officer roles, helping organizations align technology strategy, digital transformation, and innovation objectives with business growth priorities.

His clients span digital infrastructure, technology, industrial, technology-enabled services, and distribution with a particular focus on organizations navigating technology disruption, organizational scaling, and enterprise transformation.

Prior to joining Korn Ferry, John was a member of the Technology Officers and Private Equity practices at Russell Reynolds Associates, where he partnered with clients on executive search engagements for mission-critical leadership positions. Throughout his career, he has completed leadership searches across digital infrastructure, technology, industrial, healthcare services, consumer services, and ecommerce sectors.

John holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Dayton.