Kathleen Lehman Hajek is the North American Practice Leader for Life Sciences and Healthcare, and she works out of the Raleigh, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., offices. She joined Stanton Chase in 2018 and has been serving as a Managing Director and North American Life Sciences and Healthcare since 2019. With 20 years of experience in the recruitment industry, she started her career as the Manager of Recruiting for Deloitte Consulting for the Chicago office. Next, she began her career retained executive search with Heidrick & Struggles and then worked with a boutique firm, where she gained valuable knowledge in the areas of healthcare, life sciences, and non-profit sectors. 

Kathleen is a strong advocate for NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors and the Director Diversity Initiative, supporting DE&I by advocacy, education, and mentoring to increase the number of women appointed to corporate boards. She currently serves on the Board of JusticeMatters. Previously, she served as a Board Member for the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. 

Kathleen holds a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Michigan and studied abroad at the Universidad de Sevilla in Spain. 

Stanton Chase  

Stanton is a prominent executive search firm that was founded in 1990, with a focus on connecting top-tier talent across various industries with its global base of client companies and organizations. Kathleen is responsible for leading the Raleigh, North Carolina office working with a wide range of clients placing candidates in positions such as Board of Directors, Board of Trustees, and C-Suite positions for Fortune 100, privately held companies and non-profit organizations.  She often works with international organizations seeking to expand their operations in the United States. Outside of work, she enjoys walking with the family’s German Short-haired Pointer (GSP) Gatsby, playing golf, traveling as well as serving at Chapel Hill Bible Church. 

Virtues to be Looked After  

Kathleen places great importance on a candidate’s coachability, which she considers a notable factor to consider during the recruitment process. In her view, it’s essential for candidates to have a strong desire to learn and grow within their role and the organization, and to possess a sense of curiosity that drives them to excel. She also believes that a passion for service is essential in the search industry, where the primary focus is on helping clients. 

As a leader, Kathleen’s leadership style revolves around understanding what her team members require to succeed. She believes that leaders should effectively advocate for their team members to help them achieve their goals. Communication is critical to her leadership style, and she emphasizes the importance of over-communicating to ensure everyone has clear directives and understands the significance of their role. 

Difficulties as a Leader 

As a managing director in the executive search industry, Kathleen often faces difficult challenges that come with the territory. As consultants, they focus on providing the best talent for their clients, and their product is people, and talented people are always in demand. It’s crucial to prioritize time on behalf of clients and select candidates who are the right fit for the organization and its values. Kathleen evaluates a candidate’s motivation, experience, and strengths to make informed decisions. 

However, there are times when clients may become enamoured with a candidate who doesn’t align with the organization’s needs, and it falls on Kathleen to deliver the difficult news and redirect their focus to other candidates who are truly a better match. Making such hard decisions is an essential part of the executive search industry, and Kathleen is committed to ensuring that the right candidates are matched with the right organizations. 

Building Long-term Connections  

Kathleen’s main focus is on delivering high-quality work in her role at Stanton Chase. The company’s business model prioritizes building long-term relationships with clients and candidates, which involves establishing strong connections to help with their present and future needs. 

In her personal life, Kathleen is motivated by her faith, and she believes that it serves as a guiding light for her both in and out of the workplace. She uses these principles to complete tasks and avoid drama in the field, focusing instead on providing the best service possible to her clients. 

Considering Team as a Family  

Kathleen values the team approach, recognizing that solutions are better when diverse perspectives and input are considered. She works closely with her team, who share the same core values and collaborate to gather information and share sources. Together with clients, they strive to attract top talent that would be otherwise inaccessible. 

At Stanton Chase, the culture is built on a sense of family, where co-workers enjoy spending time together and rely on each other for support. The environment is collaborative and supportive, avoiding undue pressure that might lead to rushed or short-sighted decisions. Given the dynamic nature of the executive search industry, the team recognizes the need for a collective effort to best support clients and address any challenges or opportunities that arise. 

Following Organization’s Vision  

Kathleen feels privileged to work for a company that values diversity of thought and experience. She takes pride in recruiting leaders and visionaries who bring fresh talent, leadership, and perspective to organizations in need. It is a rewarding experience to connect companies with candidates who align with their mission, and Stanton Chase provides a great platform to serve clients’ needs. Kathleen finds it fulfilling to help clients achieve their goals while also fulfilling her own mission by successfully placing talented professionals in their dream roles. 

View on Today’s Leadership 

Kathleen recognizes that courage and consistency are scarce qualities in leaders. Balancing the various elements of leadership is a challenging task, but it requires the ability to say “no” when necessary and have faith in one’s decision-making abilities. It also requires a self-assured mind-set. As a leader, it is crucial to speak up and champion oneself and the team members who depend on you, prioritizing their needs over your own. Leadership requires a level of selflessness that must be present consistently. 

Focusing on Constant Growth  

Kathleen’s overarching strategy involves directing her efforts towards catering to the current clients and anticipating their future requirements. Her focus lies on building long-lasting relationships that prioritize sustainability, as returning clients who trust her services are vital for future business opportunities. Kathleen perceives Stanton Chase as a brand that prides itself on collaboration, exceeding expectations, and instilling confidence in clients about the quality of services offered. By providing clients with a realistic assessment of the market and supporting their objectives, Stanton Chase has built a reputation for being a reliable partner. The organization’s unique advantage lies in its global presence and diverse executive search approaches, which unite various cultures and perspectives. Kathleen is optimistic about Stanton Chase’s future and believes that the company can thrive on its current foundation. 

website: www.stantonchase.com