Michele Bonds is a New York-based Principal at Heidrick & Struggles and a member of the global Legal, Risk, Compliance & Government Affairs practice. Michele’s primary focus is on law firm infrastructure/business professionals, and law firm culture and acceleration advisory work. She has over 20 years of financial services and legal industry experience.

Prior to joining Heidrick & Struggles, Michele was longstanding Chief of Staff to the Senior Chairman of Sullivan & Cromwell. She worked with firm leaders in navigating clients through numerous complex events including the financial crisis.

Michele received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University in political science and her Masters of Business Administration at Babson College. I worked with Michele at S&C and always admired her work ethic, poise and creativity.

Learn more about her in this profile.

Why did you choose your profession?

Like many in the talent field, recruiting happened to me. When looking to make a career change, I found that the professional options where my unusual background led didn’t inspire passion until I met with a recruiter who tried to (and ultimately successfully did) recruit me. As I considered the field, it became clear that the talent profession provided me with an opportunity to bring together all of my skills and interests:  the business of law firms, entrepreneurship and talent acceleration/excellence.

What do you love most about what you do?

All day I get to talk to people about their career and life stories, and partner with them on improving their businesses. Essentially, I spend most of my time connecting, problem solving and building.  Often, it doesn’t feel like work at all!

What do you wish you could tell your younger self?

If you focus on others, get out of your head and listen, the success you seek will happen naturally. In other words, it’s not about you, it’s about the people around you and about being of service.