43: Dads in Executive Search

Lori Mihalich-Levin and Jason Levin continue with their tradition of interviewing moms and dads in different industries and sectors. In this episode of Parents at Work, Lori and Jason focus on the narrow yet important niche of dads in executive search and interview the dynamic dads, Julian Ha and Patrick Gray! 

Julian has been an Executive Search Consultant for more than fifteen years. He is a former corporate attorney, venture capitalist, and investment banker. He is a partner with Heidrick & Struggles, based in Washington DC, and a member of the firm’s CEO and Board practice. He leads the firm’s global Government Affairs and Trade Association work and co-leads their Professionals of Color Employee Resource Group.

Julian has been married to his wife, Annette, for almost twenty years. They have two teenage boys, a ten-year-old daughter, and a rescue dog called Blake.

Patrick is a former US Army Intelligence Officer. He has been an Executive Search Consultant for almost twenty years. He established the DC area office in the Aerospace and Defence practice at Raines International, and he leads their Industrial practice. Raines is an executive search and leadership advisory firm with nine offices. 

Patrick has been married to his wife, Megan, for 24 years, and they have four children. Aiden is 21, Colin is 18, Rylan is 15, and Tristan is 13.

Today, Julian and Patrick share candidly about their lives as working parents. They talk about what it is like to be dads in executive search and dive into workplace flexibility, support, normalizing paternity leave, and shaping the conversation around working parenthood. 

Stay tuned today to hear Julian and Patrick’s uplifting working dad stories!

Show highlights:

• Patrick’s working parent story started in graduate school. (3:31)
• Julian and his wife, Annette, wanted their kids to have an American suburban experience. (6:26)
• Julian likes to be an equal partner. He is very involved in raising his kids. (8:57)
• Working in executive search, Julian has found more flexibility to do pick-ups and drop-offs and be more involved in his kids’ activities. (9:59)
• Evolving technology in the executive search business has allowed Patrick more flexibility as a working dad. (10:56)
• Julian is fortunate to be part of a firm that is conscious of being collaborative, and in which parents are encouraged to support one another. (13:33)
• Patrick talks about the financial benefits available for families and the changing conversation around fathers taking parental leave. (16:04)
• Julian describes the pro-active support provided by his firm to allow fathers to take parental leave. (20:40)
• Parenthood has helped Patrick become more patient and empathetic over the years. (22:20)
• Being a parent has taught Julian time management skills and adaptability. (23:55)
• Patrick and Julian talk about their roles as dads in executive search to shape the conversation around working parenthood. (27:24)
• What can candidates do to work better with someone in executive search? (32:52)
• Patrick advises working parents to become resilient and learn to bounce back quickly! (39:04)
• Julian feels that flexibility is vital for working parents! (44:20)

Links and resources:

Heidrick & Struggles

The Aerospace, Defense, and Government Services at Raines International

The Association of Executive Search Consultants

Blinkist