Strategic Talent Partners

CEO transitions are one of the most critical - and vulnerable - moments in a company’s journey. Whether you're leading an ESOP or any privately held business, the stakes are high: employee trust, client relationships, and long-term success all hinge on getting this right. At Strategic Talent Partners, we’ve seen firsthand the lasting impact that well-planned leadership transitions can make. That’s why we created the ESOP CEO Transition Roadmap: a free resource that outlines a proven, step-by-step framework to help boards, leadership teams, and outgoing CEOs navigate this shift with clarity, confidence, and minimal disruption. As we near the end of 2025, now is the time to start thinking ahead. Even if a transition is still several years out, thoughtful planning should start today. Inside the eBook, you'll find: → A 4-5 year timeline to guide your planning → Key decision points for boards and leadership → Strategies for evaluating internal candidates → Best practices for succession, communication, and onboarding Whether a transition is on the near horizon or just beginning to take shape, this guide is built to help you move forward with purpose and prepare with confidence. Download the roadmap today: https://lnkd.in/gAqkMHDS 

As organizations grow, complexity increases - and what once worked at a smaller scale starts to break down. Departments begin to operate independently. Silos form. Leadership bottlenecks appear. And without intentional structure and alignment, growth can quickly become unsustainable. In the third installment of our four-part blog series on the Growth Leadership Model™, STP Co-Founder Mary Nutting explores the Scaling Stage - where leadership shifts from “Leading Leaders” to “Leading Functions.” This is the phase where strong departmental heads must do more than execute - they must think strategically, collaborate cross-functionally, and build leadership beneath them. Meanwhile, the CEO or Founder begins to shift fully into a Visionary role, focusing on long-term strategy and organizational development. Mary shares what we’ve seen work across many of the scaling companies we support - from building leadership depth and succession pathways to measuring leadership performance with the same discipline used for financial metrics. If you’re feeling the pressure of complexity - or starting to see early signs of misalignment - this post is for you. 🔗 Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/g_g4zjxS Don’t miss the final post in the series, coming soon: a look at how leadership must evolve again at the Enterprise Stage - when the focus shifts to legacy, culture, and long-term sustainability.

As your business strategy evolves - your leadership structure should too. As Rick Rittmaster, STP Principal and Leadership Solutions Practice Lead, shares in the clip below, structural decisions can’t be made in a vacuum. Whether you're expanding into new markets, adding service lines, or exploring M&A opportunities, your leadership structure must be intentionally designed to support those goals. One key structural decision? Timing. When and how you bring leaders into the organization can have a lasting impact on alignment and accountability. Oftentimes, leaders are brought in after the team is already built - placed at the top like a cherry on a sundae. But when that happens, these leaders inherit a structure they didn’t shape and a team they didn’t select. That dynamic can make it harder to build alignment, establish clarity, and scale effectively. Rick offers a different approach: consider hiring leaders earlier - giving them the responsibility and ownership to build out their teams. That shift not only sets them up for success, but creates stronger engagement, cohesion, and clarity across the organization. This is just one of the practical insights shared during our recent webinar on designing a Strategic Talent Structure that evolves with your business. If you're planning for growth, don’t leave structure as an afterthought. Learn how to align your leadership team with your long-term goals - so your people, and your business, are ready for what’s next. Watch the full webinar recording here: https://lnkd.in/gR_3KKpD

Strategic Talent Partners was proud to attend Employee Owned 2025 last week in Las Vegas, where ESOP leaders, advisors, and employee-owners gathered for focused conversations on strategy, growth, and the future of employee ownership. We were honored to contribute to this year’s program with two sessions centered on one of the most critical factors in ESOP success: leadership. STP Principal Bill Frommelt partnered with Kathleen McInerney Kane, President of Praxis Consulting Group, Inc., for a discussion on how to identify the leadership qualities that matter most in an ESOP - and how to hire with confidence. STP Co-Founder Mike Frommelt spoke alongside Terry Leahy, President & CEO of MyPath, about the challenges and opportunities that come with CEO transitions, and how to approach them with the right plan and mindset. Hosted by The ESOP Association at the Aria Resort & Casino, this year’s conference brought a refreshed format, thoughtful programming, and strong engagement from across the community. From Sugar Ray Leonard’s keynote on preparation, perspective, and resilience to the many conversations in breakout rooms and hallways, one message was clear: building strong companies starts with investing in the people who lead them. To learn more about how we support ESOPs in building effective leadership teams, visit: https://lnkd.in/eFVdt9kk

We’re just one week out from the 2025 Twin Cities Business Growth Conference - an event built for owners and executive teams focused on positioning their organizations for long-term value. One of the most anticipated parts of the day is the Dynamic Panel Q&A, featuring a seasoned group of local executives who are actively navigating growth and strategic change in their businesses: ✧ Rob Grady — CEO & Board President, Mulcahy Company ✧ Melissa Niebes — CEO, FP Labs at Federal Package ✧ Mike Moroz — President & CEO, Walters Recycling & Refuse, Inc. Moderated by: Gary Braun, Partner at Pivotal Advisors, LLC This session will offer candid insight into how today’s leaders are managing complexity, aligning their teams, and making decisions that shape the future of their organizations. If you're an Owner, CEO, President, VP, or other C-Suite leader focused on building lasting clarity, strength, and alignment in your business, we invite you to join us next Thursday, November 20 at the Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley. Seats are filling up quickly - secure your spot today: https://lnkd.in/gNurjm9x

Strategic Talent Partners is proud to support Coalition9’s upcoming SPARK event: “Preparing for 2026.” Taking place next Wednesday, November 19 at the Minnesota Vikings Museum, this event will bring together leaders across industries for a strategic discussion on what lies ahead - from economic shifts and workforce trends to emerging technology and talent strategy. We’re looking forward to connecting with peers and exploring what it means to lead with intention in 2026 and beyond. Learn more and get registered here: https://lnkd.in/geGjiebg

Today, we’re excited to recognize Julie Steenerson on her 4-year anniversary with Strategic Talent Partners! As our Senior Vice President and Project Leader, Julie brings a unique blend of operational leadership and executive search expertise to her work. With a background as both a Visionary and an Integrator, she offers clients a rare level of insight - having sat in the seat of the very executives we help place. She partners closely with leadership teams during pivotal moments of growth and transition, bringing clarity, empathy, and a deep understanding of what it takes to find the right fit. Thank you, Julie, for the insight, perspective, and impact you bring to every engagement. We’re lucky to have you on the team!

Today, we’re proud to recognize Julie Baker, MBA on her 4-year anniversary with Strategic Talent Partners! As a Vice President and Sr. Executive Recruiter, Julie brings more than two decades of experience in executive search, legal, and human resources. Her ability to lead with both care and precision has made her a trusted partner to clients and candidates alike. With a thoughtful, relationship-driven approach, she consistently identifies the right leaders for complex roles ensuring each placement aligns not just with the job, but with the company’s mission and culture. Thank you, Julie, for your dedication, expertise, and the impact you make every day. We’re grateful for all you bring to STP!

Two weeks from today, we’ll be joining a room full of Twin Cities business leaders for the 2025 Twin Cities Business Growth Conference.    This year’s speaker lineup brings a clear focus to the structural and strategic decisions that drive growth. We’ll be covering key issues that owners and executive teams are actively working through - from scale and succession to marketing, technology, and team design.    Here’s a look at the Power Sessions and the experts leading them: Does Your Strategy and Structure Achieve Your End in Mind? → Chad Haldeman, Senior Business Advisor at The Resultants® Securing Your Future: The Vital Role of Cybersecurity → Brandon Nohr, Chief Technology Officer at Netrio What Exit Strategy is Best for Your Business? → Amanda Sigg, Managing Director at BMO Commercial Bank Creating a Strategic Talent Roadmap → Rick Rittmaster, Principal at Strategic Talent Partners Building for Scale: What Companies Need to Do to Scale Revenue → Gary Braun, Co-Founder & Partner at Pivotal Advisors, LLC Overcome Random Acts of Marketing → Jennifer Zick, Founder & CEO at Authentic®   If these topics are top of mind in your organization, we invite you to join us on Thursday, November 20 at the Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley for this exclusive event designed specifically for Business Owners, CEOs, Presidents, VPs and C-Suite leaders. Reserve your seat today: https://lnkd.in/gNurjm9x

As companies grow beyond the early-stage hustle, a familiar tension begins to surface. The founder can’t keep making every decision. Teams need clarity. And leaders who’ve grown with the business now need to step into entirely new roles - with the tools to lead others, not just themselves. In the second post of our four-part blog series on the Growth Leadership Model™, STP Co-Founder Mary Nutting explores what it takes to successfully navigate this shift from “Leading Individuals” to “Leading Leaders.” Known as the Emerging Stage, this phase marks the move from instinctive leadership to intentional structure. It’s where middle management begins to take shape, people development becomes a core focus, and the organization starts thinking three to five years ahead. Drawing on decades of experience helping privately held businesses, ESOPs, and companies running on EOS® scale with clarity, Mary outlines the practical leadership steps that prepare businesses for what’s next without losing what’s worked so far. If your team has outgrown its flat structure - or you're starting to feel the weight of doing it all - this post is for you. 🔗 Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/gft7fuqA Stay tuned: Blog #3 in the series is coming soon, focused on the Scaling Stage - where leadership shifts from Leading Leaders to Leading Functions.