Guiding the Company’s Future: Insights from RHR’s CEO Succession Webinar

CEO succession is one of the most consequential processes an organization can undertake, shaping not only leadership continuity but also the company’s long-term success. In RHR’s recent webinar, “Guiding the Company’s Future: CEO Succession,” Senior Partner Deb Rubin, who leads RHR’s Board and CEO Services practice, brought together three seasoned executives to discuss what makes a CEO transition effective: Tim Richmond, former executive vice president and CHRO at AbbVie; Melanie Burns, senior executive vice president and CHRO at TD Bank; and Jeffrey Hurd, COO of Equitable Holdings.

The panel began by exploring the critical question: “Succession for what?” Richmond emphasized that succession planning must look forward, defining what type of leader will be needed in the future rather than simply replacing the incumbent with a similar version. Developing a “winning profile” for the CEO role anchored in where the business is headed creates alignment and clarity for all stakeholders.

Hurd expanded on the importance of structure and governance for an effective succession process.

“Before you get to the who, you must understand the what,” he said, noting that defining roles, responsibilities, and timelines early on is essential. He also highlighted that context matters—whether the company is thriving or transforming, the current CEO’s standing, and if the board is aligned all influence how succession unfolds.

Burns underscored the pivotal role of the CHRO, who must act as an objective, trusted advisor throughout and noted: “You can’t cram for this the weekend before.” A capable CHRO not only ensures a fair and disciplined process but also manages the emotional dynamics, helping both outgoing and incoming CEOs navigate one of the most personally important leadership transitions of their careers.

The discussion also delved into managing board relationships, maintaining transparency with internal candidates, and sustaining team stability during change. Burns reminded participants that succession is not a one-time event but an ongoing, evolving process and that “CEOs are built over time, not overnight.”

As the conversation concluded, the panelists offered a shared piece of advice: plan early, build trust, and stay objective. When done well, CEO succession is not merely about naming a new leader but about stewarding the company’s future with purpose, discipline, and humanity.

WATCH the entire webinar for additional insights and reach out to RHR at hello@rhrinternational.com to begin a conversation about your CEO succession plans.