Meet Founding Partner Holly Kelsey Henry

What inspired you to start Pierson Henry Executive Search? 

Mostly serendipity and my founding partner Katrina. I’ve never met anyone who has such energy, such genuine passion for this work. I heard her speak at West Central Initiative and walked straight up to her and gave her my card. It was a 40 below zero windchill in Fergus Falls and all I felt from her was warmth. We’ve worked for a lot of the same nonprofits and foundations through the years, and it just seemed like a natural alignment.

Can you share a bit about your professional journey and how you became passionate about helping organizations and leaders through change?

I call myself a recovering journalist. During the downturn in the industry, I started to think about the “what’s next” chapter of my career journey. I didn’t really understand “impact” until I started working with nonprofits and foundations. It has since occurred to me that without these organization and people many of the services folks across Wisconsin and Minnesota rely on would simply disappear. People who work in the social sector are incredibly passionate about what they do, and they are dedicated. Employees in smaller nonprofits could probably work in the corporate sector and make more money, but they do the work because they care deeply and that’s richly inspiring.

You have lived and worked in Australia. How has this global experience shaped who you are as a person? 

Oh my gosh. I turned up in Australia to follow a guy I loved and took a job at a newspaper. Australians are really direct, resilient people. Something is always on fire or there’s a drought or there’s a flood. Aussies don’t really do passive aggressive. They put everything right out there, and I was like all Minnesota/Wisconsin nice. Lots of tears were shed in the first couple of months, but it toughened me up. While I still dislike difficult conversations, I’m not afraid to have them. Living in Australia made me more aware of the nuances of cultures and has helped me understand where people are coming from. I learned to ask questions to better understand a culture. At Pierson Henry Executive Search we never assume we have arrived. We strive to do better every single day. As humans in general we tend to act on assumptions, when we could simply have the direct conversation and work through what is probably just a misunderstanding.  

What do you believe is the most important skill for a leader to practice as they prepare to navigate change?

“I was at a conference last year where someone said “The culture of any organization is shaped by the worst behavior the leader is willing to tolerate.” Wow. I think the most important skill for a leader of any organization is to, well, lead. I tend to be an over collaborator, and watching true leaders bring people along but also make some tough calls has been a learning moment for me. These folks set a culture of inclusivity and understanding at the same time always keeping the mission of the organization as their North Star. Also, I think it is true that trust is gained in teaspoons and lost in buckets. As they say, trust is gained in actions, not words. Good leaders show up as an example to their team every single day.”

You are a writer. How has your identity and practice as a writer affected how you approach executive search? 

I’m genuinely curious by nature. I want to know who the characters are and how the story ends. Executive Search can be kind of transactional, so I’m careful about nurturing relationships from the first meeting and for years to come. Ongoing support for new leaders and the organizations we’ve placed them in is critical to sustainable success.

How do you recharge your energy so you can bring your best self to your work as a recruiter?

I have a small group of friends I call “my board of directors.” I tend to be impulsive and learned the hard way to lean into others and talk things through. It’s energizing to have these conversations and come out the other end with a clearer vision. I also have a coach who has been invaluable in my journey. Other than that, my dogs calm me down and also demand that I get out in the fresh air a few times a day.

What is an example of a hard experience in your life that ended up being a gift?

Oh, so many things! For one, my brother has Parkinson’s and it’s been really hard watching this strong, agile leader slow down. Before he had deep brain stimulation surgery to gain back some mobility, he had become mostly chair ridden so family members took turns caring for him so my sister-in-law could continue to work during the day and then care for him at night. Through this my brother and I were able to spend a lot of time together we normally wouldn’t have. It was a heartbreaking journey but also truly an enriching experience. I’m grateful for that time and happy to say he is doing much better post-surgery!

What books, thought leaders, poets or podcasts are your go-to’s for growth and inspiration? 

I really like Mel Robbins (The Let Them Theory), and recently enjoyed reading Fear is Just a Four-Letter Word by Tracy Tutor. As for poetry – Banjo Patterson, (The Man from Snowy River), an Australian bush poet.

What was the best advice you've ever received?

Again, this came from my business partner Kat. “First, you’ve got to believe in the dream.” Every day I get up and say this to myself. First, you’ve got to believe the dream, Holly.

What are you most excited about as you look to the future of Executive Search with Pierson Henry?

So many things! I recently completed a search with a wonderful search committee and it was just … fun, you know?

One of our guiding beliefs at PH is Joy. Search can sometimes be laborious, and let’s face it challenging. Change is scary for organizations and to gain trust we have to show up with authenticity and abundance, as well as legitimacy. The team at PH has a genuinely joyful spirit. That’s one of the most exciting aspects of this work for me – working with these amazing humans and the organizations we have the honor to serve.