Dick Patton is the Managing Director and Global Head of the Consumer Sector at Russell Reynolds Associates. A preeminent figure in leadership advisory, Dick has spent nearly 20 years counseling public boards, family-owned enterprises, and high-growth startups on their most critical human capital challenges. He is a specialized expert in CEO succession and board governance, frequently partnering with corporate boards to conduct full evaluations, benchmarking, and the recruitment of world-class directors. Dick’s influence extends into global business thought leadership; he has authored approximately 100 articles on executive leadership for prestigious publications including the Harvard Business Review, Fortune, Forbes, and the Financial Times. Before joining Russell Reynolds in 2023, he spent over 16 years at Egon Zehnder, where he led the global practices for CEO Succession, Consumer, and Marketing. His deep industry knowledge is further bolstered by his tenure in general management and marketing at The Coca-Cola Company and his role as SVP of Business Development at Affinnova, Inc. Dick holds an MBA in Marketing Strategy from The Wharton School and a BA in Political Science from Brown University. His unique blend of operational marketing experience and decades of executive search expertise makes him a vital advisor to CEOs and boards navigating the complexities of the global consumer landscape.