Cindy Hilsheimer was at a crossroads. After graduating from Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business in 1979, she worked in a variety of financial leadership positions. But upon the birth of her third child, Jon Michael, Hilsheimer questioned whether she’d return to the workforce. But colleagues requested she “take on a project or two,” such as finding a controller or a CFO.
“So I started to organize information, build a database and ultimately unveil—carefully and slowly—this practice,” she says. Today, SC Search Consultants, an executive search firm, has grown to 20 employees and placed more than 600 people while maintaining consistent growth and profitability, Hilsheimer says.
The firm, founded in 1999, works with a range of employers, from closely held businesses to global, publicly traded organizations as well as nonprofits and higher education. About half are based in Central Ohio. Candidate searches can span the globe and employ a research team, an exhaustive database and a trusted network of professionals.
SC’s notable matches include identifying and placing Michael Dalby as president and CEO of the Columbus Chamber as well as CFO Rob McNutt and several directors for Greif.
In addition to her role as managing principal at the firm, Hilsheimer, 54, serves on the boards of the Columbus Metropolitan Library and its foundation, OCLC, the James Foundation, Pelotonia, the New Albany Community Foundation, A Kid Again, and Women & Philanthropy at Ohio State University.
How do you maintain a work-life balance? In addition to Jon Michael, now 18, Cindy and Larry Hilsheimer (president and COO of Nationwide Direct & Customer Solutions) are parents to Lauren, 27, an engineer and attorney, and Kristina, 25, an engineer and health-care consultant.
Who or what has been your biggest inspiration? Hilsheimer names her parents, who “instilled a work ethic and, really, the care and concern for other people”; her children, who “are always striving for excellence in a way that I admire”; as well as Ohioans Jesse Owens and John and Annie Glenn.
What are your goals for the next five years? Beyond a planned fall name change for her firm, Hilsheimer is a believer in flexibility. “Success happens over time, and often, if you’re rigidly following specific goals, you’ll miss opportunities that are standing right in front of you,” she says.