Robert Hallagan

Robert E. Hallagan is Vice Chairman, Co-leader, Board Services and Managing Director at Korn Ferry, based in the firm’s Boston office.

Mr. Hallagan is a recognized expert in board governance; he has a strong record of identifying and securing top talent for a wide range of clients whom he advises on board and CEO issues.

Notable complex board projects include building new boards for companies coming out of bankruptcies (including Lehman), spins and carve-outs, and numerous board succession planning projects.

Prior to joining Korn Ferry, Mr. Hallagan was the CEO of Heidrick & Struggles from 1991 to 1997, where he led the firm to record growth and profitability.

In 1996, he co-founded The Center for Board Leadership, a joint venture with the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) and served as the Center’s chief executive officer and then chairman, leading its mission of developing “Best Practices for Effective Board Leadership.” In this capacity he co-led the Center’s Blue Ribbon Commission Report on Board Evaluations and led thought leadership on High Performing Board Frameworks, Repurposing Compensation Committees to Talent and Leadership Committees and Board long-term succession planning frameworks.

With NACD, the pre-eminent director membership organization with over 15,000 members, Mr. Hallagan was the longest serving Director and Chairman and elected Chairman Emeritus in 2010. He now serves as faculty and Senior Advisor of NACD.

Mr. Hallagan holds an MBA degree from Harvard Business School and a bachelors degree in economics from Williams College. He is currently co-chair of Friends of the Children Boston and formerly a Director of ResCare, Inc., Management Sciences for Health, Berkshire Life Insurance Company, and Boston Business Roundtable.