Leadership

Melissa A. Henderson

President & CEO

Melissa A. Henderson is the disruptive thinker behind a revolutionary new model in executive search — the executive agent. As founder, president, and CEO of Summit Executive Resources, she helps companies and Boards of Directors find highly qualified executive talent swiftly and at no cost, while providing coaching and preparation services for candidates seeking new leadership opportunities.

Melissa’s groundbreaking new model is informed by her experience on both sides of the process. She has served as Executive Director at Russell Reynolds Associates as well as in leadership and management positions at companies like Xerox and Gartner Group. She established and led the mid-Atlantic office of the global retained executive search firm Gilbert Tweed Associates International before founding Summit Executive Resources, where she introduced the executive agent model and set out to create an entirely new way of thinking about executive search.

Melissa is regularly quoted in industry publications and speaks frequently on issues surrounding executive agents, executive placement and recruitment, private equity operating partner models, and building effective boards. She has served on leadership councils for numerous organizations, including the Virginia Hospital Center Foundation and the Northern Virginia Family Service, while acting as a member of associations such as the Washington D.C. Chapter of Business Forums International.

After receiving a B.A. in advertising management and marketing strategy and execution from Michigan State University, Melissa remained involved with her alma mater through the Washington D.C. Semester Internship Program. In this role, she speaks to students on career preparation and professional growth, while also sponsoring interns with Summit Executive Resources. She is an avid wine enthusiast, holding multiple certifications from the Sommelier Wine & Food Society.