Overview
Bill O’Leary is a partner in Heidrick & Struggles’ Washington, D.C. office and a member of the CEO & Board of Directors, Government Affairs, and Corporate Affairs & Communications practices. He focuses on talent and leadership advisory efforts with CEO, board, and C-suite leaders working at the intersection of policy, advocacy, and business.
Experience
Bill is highly experienced in Washington policy circles, with a focus on corporate affairs, external affairs, government affairs, and communications. He places board directors and advisors with expertise in political, government, and regulation for private, PE-backed, and publicly traded companies.
Bill has spent most of his career in Washington, D.C., having begun his career on the 1992 Clinton presidential campaign. He then worked for the White House and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in communications and external outreach roles. Following the SEC, Bill worked in financial services in marketing and communications roles at Citigroup, Fannie Mae, and a technology start-up. He was also the chief marketing officer for Georgetown University, where he developed and led global marketing and communications efforts.
Prior to joining Heidrick & Struggles, Bill worked for a global executive search firm where he helped build and co-lead the global corporate affairs practice and led the government affairs practice.
Education
Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business, Master of Business Administration Degree
Johns Hopkins University, Master’s Degree
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Bachelor’s Degree