Cher Murphy

I’m an applied anthropologist, executive coach, and reticulist, dedicated to transforming how organizations navigate talent management, leadership, and culture. For over 17 years, I’ve partnered with CEOs, executive teams, and boards across venture capital, private equity, and Fortune 100 companies to align people strategies with business strategies, creating cultures that drive performance and innovation.As a C-suite Advisor on Talent, I specialize in helping leaders thrive amid uncertainty. My approach is rooted in understanding the complex interplay between people and organizations—designing strategies that not only meet immediate business needs but also foster long-term growth and resilience.I’ve had the privilege of consulting for global organizations, including Nike, Amazon, McKinsey, and Microsoft, as well as scaling startups, guiding them through inflection points that required deep leadership transformation and organizational redesign. Leadership, in my view, is not just about the individual; it’s about the intersection of culture, strategy, and human dynamics. By aligning human capital strategy with business objectives, organizations can navigate complexity and achieve sustainable success. I believe that trust, agility, and strategic talent development are essential for any organization looking to thrive in today’s rapidly changing landscape.As a reticulist, I bring together diverse, often unlikely, groups of people to create innovative solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. By convening different perspectives, I believe we can drive breakthroughs that push the boundaries of what’s possible—whether in business transformation, innovation, or addressing societal needs.I also serve as an Advisor for Transform, Sempervirens Venture Capital, and partnership with ON Partners. My board roles include the Advisory Board for The Mentor Project and the Board of Directors for AID International, a nonprofit empowering Haitian communities to achieve self-sustainability.I hold a master’s degree in Organizational Development from Pepperdine University, where I’m an Adjunct Professor in the MBA program, teaching Talent Management. I’m also a member of Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches, a premier community of industry thought leaders curated and led by Marshall Goldsmith .

ON Partners is a pure-play retained executive search firm building C-level and board leadership teams for high-growth private and public companies, private equity, and venture capital.With a partner-led, high-touch model, clients gain direct access to seasoned partners who lead every search from day one to day done. Our boutique structure enables speed, agility, and precision. This hands-on approach fosters a deep understanding of client needs, delivers elite talent quickly, and ensures unmatched responsiveness.ON Partners is the most referred executive search firm in the industry. And the numbers back it up— 85% of our clients return, 95% of new business comes from referrals, and clients and candidates rate their experience with us 4.9 out of 5.Consistently ranked among the top 20 retained executive search firms in the U.S., ON Partners has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms and has appeared on the Inc. 500/5000 List nine times.