Author Archives

Eric Walczykowski​

The Second CEO: Balancing Legacy, Leadership, and Growth

By ETJ Life | October 16, 2025

In our latest episode of Tailored Talent, I sat down with Ryan Tognazzini, Partner at ETJ Life, to discuss one of the most complex inflection points in private equity leadership: following a founder as CEO. It’s a transition that requires humility, balance, and clarity.

CEO Succession: Leadership Readiness for the Next Phase

By ETJ Life | September 26, 2025

Perhaps no single decision has as much impact on a company’s future as choosing the next CEO. Whether driven by planned succession, performance transitions, founder retirement, or value-creation strategies, appointing a new CEO is a defining moment. Succession is not only about the right resume. It’s about whether a leader can carry the weight of the role without losing themselves. Leaders who align their identity and purpose with the job not only perform—they endure.

ETJ Life

ETJ Life

Bespoke Partners and ETJ Life have joined forces in an ecosystem partnership aimed at setting PE-backed CEOs up for long-term success. ETJ Life, led by founder and CEO coach Matt Sharrers, offers a private, invitation-only community that blends structured coaching, peer accountability, and practical tools.

Through ETJ Life’s two flagship programs, our clients benefit from targeted support at every career stage:

Navigator: built for first-time CEOs and successors to founders, with a focus on the first 100 days, leadership capacity, and team dynamics.

Sage: designed for former CEOs ready to reassess priorities, realign personal health, and refine their next chapter.

This collaboration extends Bespoke’s executive search expertise beyond placement, giving newly appointed leaders an immediate network to share insights, strengthen decision-making, and stay aligned with demanding PE performance goals.