Lee Ann Howard is the founder of Howard & O’Brien Executive Search, where most of her time is spent on executive search assignments and consulting clients. Lee Ann identifies candidates for senior general management positions and specializes in functional assignments in human resources, finance, and sales and marketing. In addition, she has expertise in finding key members for boards of directors for both public and privately held companies.

Prior to entering executive search, Lee Ann’s career included senior human resources positions with world-class companies, including Nestlé SA, The DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Company, Marion Merrell Dow, and Frito-Lay Inc.
 
Lee Ann is active in both professional organizations and philanthropic endeavors. She is currently on the board of the MetroHealth Foundation, the John Carroll University Entrepreneur Association, and is the former board chair of the American Heart Association. She has also served on the boards of In Counsel with Women, The Gathering Place, Women’s Community Foundation, and Business Volunteers Unlimited, and is the founder of the Conversations with the Board® series. Ms. Howard was an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist and has received many awards and honors, including the National Association of Women Business Owners Top Ten Award in Northeast Ohio, the Athena Award, and the Medical Mutual Pillar Award for Community Service.
 
Lee Ann earned an MS in management from Baker University and a BA in mass-communications from Truman State University.