Introducing The Navigator

Welcome to The Navigator, Pyramind's quarterly newsletter, where we’ll share what we're seeing across industries and the conversations that matter most to your leadership decisions.

After more than thirty years in executive search, I've learned that staying ahead means staying connected—to market shifts, emerging challenges, and the leaders navigating them. Here, we'll discuss those elements, as well as updates on where Pyramind has been engaging with the broader talent acquisition community.

This inaugural issue arrives at an inflection point. Organizations are facing familiar year-end hiring pressure with an unfamiliar backdrop—federal workforce reductions, economic uncertainty, and ongoing workplace culture redefinition are creating hesitation around leadership decisions.

Three decades in this industry have shown me that change remains the constant. In the past five years alone, we've navigated pandemic talent scarcity, return-to-work standoffs, and countless market pivots. This moment, while distinct, demands the same high-level strategy as years past.

December historically triggers an evaluation of talent needs—and often, panic. Positions left unfilled. Roles suddenly eliminated. Plans postponed until June. The current conditions feel different, but it's the same song-and-dance in disguise: the year-end shuffle, tempting leaders to rush. 

But there's an alternative: pause, assess where you're headed, and make thoughtful decisions about the talent that will take you there. Research consistently shows organizations achieve better financial outcomes and longer leader tenure when they invest in strategic search processes. 

Think of it as choosing between a high-quality blazer that's priced accordingly and one from a fast-fashion store. The former becomes a wardrobe workhorse, while the latter falls apart after three washes. The thoughtful approach takes more time and energy up front, but delivers sustainable results that cheap, fast solutions cannot match.

As we move into 2026, we’re energized by what lies ahead. The leaders who navigate this moment with clarity and conviction will discover exceptional talent. Here's to a year of strategic decisions and transformative hires.

Warmly, 

Hope Johnson

Updates on where, when, and how we're engaging with the broader talent acquisition community

Continual Learning

Pyramind is committed to staying ahead and abreast of global workforce and employment issues  

National Association of Corporate Directors | Ongoing 2025

Through ongoing board of director training with NACD, Hope has participated in educational programs including "A Year-Round Framework for Strategic Governance Programs" and "Leading Minds of Governance and Tech." These sessions are particularly valuable given the number of board-level searches we conduct, keeping us current on governance best practices and emerging board priorities.

National Association of Executive Recruiters Annual Conference | April 2025

NAER Board Chair Hope Johnson and Pyramind Principal Victoria Geis attended this year's conference in Charlotte, which addressed critical employment law updates and market intelligence that directly inform our client engagements. Legal employment expert Grace Williams from Fluet Law provided essential insights on compliance issues, while sessions on marketing for professional services and designing fair, compliant searches reinforced that staying ahead of regulatory shifts isn't optional; it's how we protect your hiring decisions.

Conferences | 2025

Pyramind consultants participated in key hospitality industry conferences, leveraging our experience placing leaders in the field  and established sponsorships within this sector. In June, Hope represented Pyramind at ISHA's summer conference in Newport, Rhode Island, where the agenda included AI integration for associations, membership engagement strategies, and developments in meetings and events. Discussions with hospitality leaders during these sessions echoed broader sector trends, highlighting how organizations are redefining their cultures and market positioning to better engage employees and audiences.

In November, Hope attended the Women of Hospitality Conference in Wilmington, Delaware, which addressed both the challenges and opportunities facing women in hospitality leadership roles. Subsequently, she participated in the Virginia Governor’s Tourism Summit, Virginia’s leading tourism and hospitality event. There, travel professionals convened to explore marketing innovations, workforce development initiatives, and strategies for enhancing Virginia’s appeal as a travel destination.

Webinars and Presentations

Pyramind participates in and leads various webinars and presentations to share hiring and employment information with and beyond the executive search community

Chief Presentation: "Why Retained Search & Acceleration" | March 2025

Lilith Christiansen, Founder and Chief Consultant at HumanGenuity, along with Pyramind’s Victoria led a presentation on strategic acceleration through retained search. Key insight: the executives who drive sustainable growth aren't necessarily found through traditional approaches.

Council of State Restaurant Associations Webinar | March 2025

Hope and Victoria presented "Unlocking Employee Potential: Proven Strategies for Boosting Motivation" to state restaurant association executives. We explored how to align employee motivation with strategic goals and assess what each individual needs to remain motivated—challenges that are particularly critical in hospitality leadership, where retention and cultural fit prove essential to operational success.

Delaware Restaurant Association Digital Dive Program | April 2025 

Hope presented on "Building Social Capital to Advance Your Career," exploring how strategic relationship-building accelerates professional growth—principles that apply equally to executives seeking their next role and organizations building leadership pipelines.

Pyramind is honored to support both domestic and international organizations and conferences that facilitate the exchange of industry and research expertise, while also reflecting our dedication to community initiatives.

Virginia Chamber of Commerce Inaugural Women's Conference | August 2025 

Pyramind is proud to sponsor this groundbreaking event focused on advancing women in leadership across Virginia's business community.

Kiwanis Club of Arlington Sponsorship | 2025

Pyramind is honored to sponsor the Kiwanis Club of Arlington, which has supported Arlington youth since 1931 through scholarships for graduating seniors, Key Club support in high schools, and annual grants to nonprofits serving children. Recently, Kiwanis partnered with VHC Nurses for Family Health Fairs in elementary schools, offering flu vaccines and screenings. Supporting organizations that invest in the next generation aligns with our commitment to building sustainable futures.

Council of State Restaurant Associations | 2019–Present

Pyramind's sponsorship of CSRA supports the organization's mission to foster collaboration and connection among the 52 state restaurant associations, which collectively represent more than 70,000 restaurant businesses across the United States.

International Society of Hotel Associations | 2019–Present

Pyramind supports the ISHA in its efforts to provide professional development, networking opportunities, and information-sharing for lodging associations.

Hunt Scanlon's Select Guide to America's Top 250 Executive Search Firms | 2025

Pyramind is honored to be included in Hunt Scanlon Media's Select Guide to America's Top 250 Executive Search Firms. This comprehensive directory connects organizations with leading firms specializing in various industries and functions. Recognition in this guide reflects our commitment to excellence in executive recruitment and the trust our clients place in our strategic approach to retained search.

Congratulations to our clients making strategic hires this quarter despite market uncertainty. Your commitment to finding the right talent—not just available talent—positions your organizations for sustainable success.

The Navigator will return in Q1 2026.