Joanna Starek, senior partner and chief commercial officer at RHR, leads the firm’s products, services, marketing, and sales, ensuring market solutions meet client needs. With years of experience as a top consultant to Fortune 100 CEOs, executive teams, and boards, Joanna continues to advise leaders on navigating complex transitions and scaling their organizations. Her role also includes driving innovation and staying attuned to broader business trends.
A trained sports and performance psychologist, Joanna brings decades of expertise in high-pressure scenarios, blending business acumen with a pragmatic approach. Her early career as a faculty member at the University of Colorado Boulder included award-winning research on self-deception in athletes that was featured on NPR’s Radiolab. This curiosity about elite performance led her to RHR, where she expanded the firm’s footprint into Silicon Valley, identifying opportunities with hypergrowth companies and shaping the leadership landscape.
Joanna values being a champion for others and is driven by her desire to make an enduring positive impact in people’s lives. A Chapel Hill, North Carolina native, she holds degrees from Colgate University, The University of Colorado Boulder, and Colorado State University. In her free time, Joanna enjoys traveling, open-water swimming, hiking, biking, and spending time with friends and family.
Focus Areas
- CEO and board consulting
- Leadership in high-stakes environments
- Connecting talent strategies to business strategies
Special Skills
- Performance psychology
- Innovation pipeline management
- High-pressure decision-making
Education
- Colgate University, bachelor’s degree
- The University of Colorado Boulder, master’s degree
- Colorado State University, PhD
Leadership philosophy
Empowering leaders to achieve their fullest potential while fostering environments where everyone can thrive.
Passions
Outdoor activities (hiking, biking, kayaking), building diverse and inclusive workplaces.