Thomas J. Friel
Chairman, Retired
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
Tom Friel retired as chairman of Heidrick & Struggles International Inc. in 2007. Mr. Friel
joined Heidrick & Struggles in 1979 and played an important role in developing the firm’s
leadership position in key markets. He established the firm’s Silicon Valley presence and
served as managing partner of the Menlo Park, California, office for its first five years. He
was cofounder and then later assumed the responsibility of managing the firm’s technology
practice, which he led from 1987 to 1995.
From 1992 to 1999, Mr. Friel undertook the additional role of managing partner, Asia
Pacific. From 1999 through 2001, Mr. Friel served as president of Heidrick & Struggles
Ventures, the firm’s division responsible for all future initiatives, new business strategies,
investments, and alliances. He served as chairman and CEO from 2003 to 2006, prior to
assuming the role of chairman.
In his search career, Mr. Friel has specialized in recruiting CEOs, chief technology officers,
and board of director members. The partners of Heidrick & Struggles in 1998 named him the
recipient of the John E. Struggles Partnership Award, the firm’s most significant honor.
He was chosen to receive the 2007 annual award for leadership in the profession by the
Association of Executive Search Consultants.
Mr. Friel is an honors graduate of Purdue University, where he majored in industrial
engineering. He also holds an MBA degree from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
His board experience includes several private and nonprofit organizations. including
the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Sigma Chi Fraternity, and the Children’s Health
Council of Palo Alto, California. In addition, Mr. Friel is currently serving as a senior
advisor to the Bridgespan Group, a Boston-based organization providing consulting
services to hundreds of nonprofits nationwide.
Mr. Friel and his wife, Carolyn, live in Hillsborough, California.