CEO

Korn Ferry has partnered with our client on their search for the role, CEO.

The Company

Orange County is a place of extraordinary possibility, yet for too many families, that possibility remains out of reach. The region faces a widening economic mobility gap that fuels many of its most persistent social challenges. Employers struggle to find the talent they need; communities work tirelessly to address symptoms that continue to grow, and too many residents remain disconnected from the pathways that lead to higher-wage careers and long-term prosperity.

CLAOC exists to change that story.

CEO Leadership Alliance Orange County (CLAOC) is a business-led coalition of chief executives committed to strengthening Orange County's workforce, economy, and communities through collective leadership. Founded on the belief that business leaders have both the opportunity and responsibility to address the region's most pressing economic and social challenges, CLAOC brings CEOs and senior executives together across sectors to develop solutions no single organization can accomplish alone.

At the heart of CLAOC's mission is a commitment to closing the economic mobility gap, which is a root cause of many of Orange County's most persistent social challenges. By mobilizing CEOs around shared priorities such as talent development, innovation capacity, and equitable access to opportunity, CLAOC is building the conditions for a thriving region where every resident has a fair shot at prosperity, and every employer has access to the skilled workforce needed to compete.

Today, CLAOC is entering an exciting new chapter. Building on a strong foundation of CEO engagement, the organization is sharpening its focus on employer-driven workforce solutions and sector-based strategies designed to address talent shortages and economic inequities. Through initiatives such as the OC Talent Exchange, CLAOC is helping regional leaders create a more connected, competitive, and inclusive workforce ecosystem.

Looking ahead, CLAOC is poised to expand its regional influence and national visibility. The organization seeks to deepen CEO engagement, strengthen long-term financial sustainability, and scale workforce initiatives that address Orange County's evolving talent needs. The next Chief Executive Officer will build upon this momentum, elevate CLAOC's role as the region's premier business intermediary, and help shape the future of workforce development and economic prosperity.

Purpose of the Position

This is a rare opportunity to lead an organization that is tackling one of the most critical root causes of regional inequity: the lack of access to high-growth, high-wage career pathways and the innovation ecosystem required to sustain them.

CLAOC has established itself as one of the region's most respected organizations focused on issues central to the long-term vitality of Orange County. It has earned the trust of many of the county's most influential business leaders and built meaningful partnerships across education, government, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector. With this strong foundation in place, CLAOC is poised to enter its next phase of growth and impact.

The next Chief Executive Officer will join the organization at a pivotal moment. As employers face significant workforce challenges, and as educational institutions, civic leaders, and policymakers seek more coordinated solutions, CLAOC is uniquely positioned to serve as the region's trusted intermediary.

The Board envisions a leader who can build upon the organization's momentum while elevating its visibility, influence, and long-term sustainability. The successful CEO will deepen relationships with CEOs and senior executives, strengthen Board engagement, secure new philanthropic and corporate investment, and position CLAOC as the leading voice on workforce innovation throughout Orange County.

Most importantly, this leader will help address the widening economic mobility gap that threatens the region's long-term prosperity. By strengthening talent pipelines, expanding access to high-wage careers, and building cross-sector coalitions, the CEO will help ensure Orange County becomes a place where opportunity is not determined by zip code, background, or circumstance.

Position Responsibilities

The Chief Executive Officer will:

• Lead the strategic direction and continued evolution of CLAOC.
• Serve as the organization's chief ambassador and trusted representative within the business, civic, education, nonprofit, and government communities.
• Cultivate strong peer relationships with CEOs and executive leaders while expanding membership engagement and organizational influence.
• Partner closely with the Board to establish strategic priorities and activate Board members as ambassadors, fundraisers, and community leaders.
• Advance sector-based workforce initiatives that improve talent pipelines and economic opportunity throughout Orange County.
• Develop sustainable revenue through membership, philanthropy, sponsorships, grants, and strategic partnerships.
• Build cross-sector coalitions capable of addressing complex workforce and economic challenges.

The Candidate

Experience and Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring the following experiences:

• Senior executive leadership experience within business, nonprofit, civic, workforce, education, economic development, consulting, or related sectors.
• Demonstrated success building trusted relationships with CEOs, Boards, and senior executives.
• Track record of developing strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives.
• Demonstrated fundraising, business development, or revenue generation success.
• Experience partnering with an engaged Board of Directors.
• Familiarity with Orange County or a demonstrated ability to quickly establish credibility within new business communities is preferred.

Candidate Profile

Personal Characteristics

The successful CEO will be:

• Purpose-driven and community-minded.
• Highly collaborative and emotionally intelligent.
• Entrepreneurial and action oriented.
• Curious and innovative.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and complexity.
• A trusted convener who builds consensus across diverse viewpoints.
• A strategic thinker who balances vision with execution.
• Humble, authentic, and energized by helping others succeed.

Strategic Leadership & Systems Thinking

The successful candidate will possess the ability to think strategically while maintaining a relentless focus on execution. They will naturally view complex workforce and economic challenges through a systems lens, seeking to understand root causes rather than isolated symptoms.

Working closely with the Board and community partners, the CEO will use the recent momentum to build upon the strategic vision for CLAOC's next chapter while positioning it as the region's premier partner for workforce innovation.

Relationship Builder & Trusted Convener

The next CEO must possess exceptional interpersonal skills and a natural ability to build trust with diverse stakeholders. They will serve as a connector, bringing together CEOs, educators, civic leaders, elected officials, nonprofit executives, philanthropic organizations, and community partners around shared goals.

Success will require a leader who thrives in environments where influence matters more than authority. They will demonstrate emotional intelligence to navigate differing perspectives, facilitate productive dialogue, and create alignment among organizations whose priorities may not always naturally intersect.

Executive Presence & CEO Engagement

The CEO will represent CLAOC among some of Orange County's most accomplished business leaders. As such, the successful candidate must possess the executive presence, confidence, and credibility to engage comfortably with CEOs, founders, Board members, and senior executives as a trusted peer and strategic thought partner.

The next leader will require maturity, judgment, and communication skills to facilitate conversations among influential leaders, challenge conventional thinking when appropriate, and inspire confidence in CLAOC's vision.

Community Leadership & Cross-Sector Collaboration

The next CEO will be more than the leader of an organization; they will become one of Orange County's civic leaders.

This individual will possess a genuine passion for strengthening communities and recognize that lasting solutions emerge through collaboration rather than competition.

CLAOC's long-term success depends upon its ability to diversify revenue, strengthen member engagement, and attract philanthropic and strategic investment.

The successful CEO will bring demonstrated experience securing financial support through a combination of memberships, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, grants, philanthropy, or public funding. Beyond fundraising itself, they will be an effective storyteller, able to clearly articulate CLAOC's mission, strategic priorities, and community impact in ways that inspire investment and long-term partnership.

Organizational Leadership & Team Development

Internally, the CEO will foster a culture grounded in trust, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will empower a talented team by providing clear direction, encouraging innovation, developing future leaders, and creating an environment where individuals are motivated to contribute at their highest level.

Innovation, Influence & Change Leadership

The organization is entering a period of transformation as it hopes to expand its role as a regional workforce intermediary and business-led catalyst for systems change.

The next CEO will embrace ambiguity, identify emerging opportunities, and confidently lead the organization through growth and evolution.