The Leadership Insider | October 2025
Pacific International Executive Search
We help companies secure high-impact C-suite & strategic leadership talent to shape a resilient and sustainable future.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when communities worldwide unite to promote early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Education plays a vital role in helping people recognise the signs, encourage screening, and support ongoing research. At Pacific, our quarterly walk served as a meaningful reminder of the importance of self-checks and regular screenings in early breast cancer detection in both women and men.
Transforming a business is never easy. In today’s world of volatility, disruption, and accelerating technology, it’s a true test of leadership and resilience. To succeed, companies must continually assess and optimise their portfolios to stay ahead. In this issue, we speak with Kristina Wright, a seasoned transformation leader, about her recommended approach to driving successful change. Looking ahead to November, we’ll explore how neuroscience techniques can help cultivate a winning mindset. Also in this issue:
- Transformations That Last: Kristina Fournais Wright on Building Change One Village at a Time
- Executive Search Perspective on Unearthing High-Impact C-Suite Leaders in the Age of Uncertainty - Insights from Sameer Pagnis , David Howells , and Adam Nuzie
- Pacific International Executive Search Announces Exclusive Partnership with LSG Sky Chefs Americas for Management Recruitment
- Where to meet with our Consultants to discuss your career options or talent challenges
- Looking for the next career step? Apply for one of the latest strategic leadership roles Pacific has been retained for
- Examples of the recently closed projects
- What's coming up in future issues
- Recommendations - Read, Listen, Follow
Transformations That Last: Kristina Wright on Building Change One Village at a Time
In a world of constant pressure to “move fast,” the art of organisational transformation has never been more critical, or more complex. Kristina Fournais Wright , a seasoned transformation leader who led critical transformations at Vestas, OX2 and Maersk, offers a pragmatic, structured approach to leading change that balances urgency with long-term sustainability.
In the conversation with Margaret Jaouadi , Kristina Fournais Wright , drawing on her extensive experience across global organisations, emphasises that successful transformation isn’t about chasing the latest trends or delivering instant results; it’s about thoughtful orchestration, data-driven decisions, and building a resilient operating model.
Executive Search Perspective on Unearthing High-Impact C-Suite Leaders in the Age of Uncertainty
Sameer Pagnis , an experienced C-suite leader and Advisory Board Member at Pacific International, is no stranger to the complex dynamics of executive leadership. He emphasizes that conventional leadership approaches are no longer enough. To succeed in today’s VUCA world, leaders must demonstrate agility, resilience, foster collective intelligence, and anchor decision-making in a clear sense of purpose.
In this follow-up discussion with Margaret Jaouadi , Sameer delves deeper into how organizations can assess adaptability, ensure cultural fit beyond the interview, and attract talent aligned with their deeper mission. David Howells, CEO of Pacific International, and Adam Nuzie, CCO of Pacific International, join Sameer to offer an executive search perspective on this critical topic.
Where to meet with our Consultants to discuss your career options or talent challenges
Looking for the next career step? Apply for one of the latest strategic leadership roles Pacific has been retained for:
- Corporate Strategy and Transformation (m/f/d) (North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) at a global leader in the chemical manufacturing space to support its continued international growth and transformation
- Director of Quality (The Netherlands) at a global leader in electrical power solutions manufacturing
- Director of Manufacturing Engineering EMEA (The Netherlands) at a global leader in electrical power solutions manufacturing.
- Corporate Head of Quality Assurance (Austria) at a global packaging innovator to help with their quality processes
- Vice President of Engineering - Semiconductor Service Division (UK) at a global leader of vacuum and abatement
- Global Quality Manager (Columbus, Ohio, USA) at a global leader in the manufacturing space currently navigating a transformation.
- Vice President of Retail Operations (Dallas, TX, USA) at a global manufacturing organization at a pivotal point in its growth and transformation
- Vice President Operations (Philadelphia, PA, USA) at a global leader in airline services undergoing rapid transformation and growth
Please click here to apply for one of these and other currently posted roles.
To get on Pacific International's radar for other opportunities, including a growing number of confidential searches, please register here.
Pacific International Executive Search Announces Exclusive Partnership with LSG Sky Chefs Americas for Management Recruitment
Strategic Alliance Built on Track Record of Success, Placing 19 Transformational Leaders Since 2024
Pacific International Executive Search is pleased to announce an exclusive 12-month retained search partner agreement with LSG Sky Chefs Americas (Sky Chefs), the market leader in airline catering and hospitality services across North and Latin America.
Coming up...
In the coming months, we’ll be sharing insights from leading industry voices on key topics such as:
- Voices of Growth: How CCOs Are Steering Organisations Through Uncertainty
- Future Skills & Changing Role of Procurement
- Succession Planning: Navigating the Complexities of C-suite Continuity
- Leading the Next Generation: Bridging Multi-Generational Leadership Gaps
If you'd like to suggest a topic for future issues, please email Margaret Jaouadi at margaret.jaouadi@pacific-international.com.
Recommendations
Read (or Listen): Strong Ground: The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox, and the Wisdom of the Human Spirit (A Dare to Lead Book) by Brené Brown
Listen: The 6-part Dare to Lead podcast series accompanying the publication of Brené Brown's book Strong Ground.
Follow: Masters of Scale, a business podcast where iconic business leaders share lessons and strategies that helped them grow the world's most fascinating companies
Global Marketing Manager | Executive Search Marketing | Brand Strategy | Demand Generation | Events | Interviews | Start-up | SEO | Social Media | Content Creation | Horticulture Enthusiast | ex-Charity Board Trustee
3wHuge thanks to our October issue contributors: Kristina Fournais Wright, Sameer Pagnis, David Howells, and Adam Nuzie, for your time, expertise, and insights! I’ve learned a great deal, and I’m confident that others, especially transformation leaders, will find your perspectives and advice equally valuable.