October 9, 2025 – Global leadership advisory firm Egon Zehnder has named Lindsay Trout (Palo Alto) and Hana Habayeb (Middle East) as co-leaders of its global technology and AI practice group. They succeed Silvia Rapallo (Rome) and Eric Anderson (Atlanta), who have led the group through a period of remarkable transformation in the technology sector.
“We are excited to see the energy, heart, and commercial focus Lindsay and Hana will bring to their leadership of the technology & AI practice,” said Francesco Buquicchio, CEO of Egon Zehnder. “Their complementary experience, global perspective, and passion for innovation will help guide our clients through the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of technology.”
Ms. Trout joined the firm in 2010 and is widely recognized for her innovative, entrepreneurial approach and deep understanding of the global technology ecosystem. A former member of the firm’s executive committee, she has spearheaded strategic initiatives across the organization while maintaining a strong presence with founders and other clients in the tech industry.
Ms. Trout’s focus on transformation and change precedes her arrival at Egon Zehnder. Prior to joining the firm, she was a project leader with Boston Consulting Group, where she focused on organizational transformation and post-merger integration projects in technology and consumer companies. She also served as chief of staff to the chairman and CEO of FileNet Corporation, now a division of IBM, and began her career at JP Morgan Chase in New York, working on Chase.com before moving to LabMorgan, the company’s innovation unit.
“My work is like looking through a kaleidoscope every day,” Ms. Trout said. “My job is to take all those conversations and synthesize them. I enjoy the broad learning from my day-to-day and am fulfilled by my impact on people’s lives.”
Ms. Habayeb is a respected leader in the technology and communications and connectivity sectors, which she co-led for the EMEA region. She has a track record of expanding market reach and fostering international collaboration. Her expertise ranges from board and executive search to management appraisals and leadership consulting. Before joining Egon Zehnder, Ms. Habayeb held a number of business and technical leadership roles at Microsoft. Prior to joining Microsoft, she was an associate at Booz and Company.
“I’m passionate about the impact that people can have on our technology and social landscape and love having the opportunity to help drive this change,” Ms. Habayeb said.
Related: Egon Zehnder Opens Eighth Office in Germany
Egon Zehnder currently ranks as a Top 5 global executive search firm, according to Hunt Scanlon Media. With more than 500 consultants in 67 offices and 36 countries around the globe, Egon Zehnder works with public and private corporations, family-owned enterprises, and non-profit and government agencies to provide board advisory services, CEO and leadership succession planning, executive search and assessment, and leadership development solutions. Since 1964, the firm has been at the forefront of defining top leadership in the face of changing economic conditions as well as major transitions in the executive search field.
Recent Acquisition
Egon Zehnder recently acquired The Prince Houston Group, a leading boutique executive search firm based in New York with a strong focus on asset and wealth management. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Hunt Scanlon Ventures, based in Greenwich, Conn., served as an advisor to Egon Zehnder on the transaction. The integration of The Prince Houston Group into Egon Zehnder takes immediate effect, ensuring a seamless transition for clients and teams. “This acquisition is part of our strategy to grow organically as well as through carefully selected expansion opportunities that align with our values and long-term vision,” said Michael Ensser, the global executive chair of Egon Zehnder. “The Prince Houston Group’s depth of expertise in asset and wealth management and its bespoke approach will bolster our financial services practice in the U.S. and around the world,” he added.
The Prince Houston Group serves a broad spectrum of outstanding clients across asset and wealth management, family offices, endowments and foundations, hedge funds, private equity funds, and insurance organizations. The firm’s search mandates range from chief executive officers and chief investment officers to all levels of investment, distribution and corporate talent.
Through this transaction, Egon Zehnder welcomed a highly specialized team with deep sector knowledge and strong client relationships, while The Prince Houston Group joins a global platform of 600 consultants across 67 offices in 36 countries that offers broader reach and impact as well as leadership advisory services.
“Search begins with the excellence of our consultants and a collective, global mindset,” said German Herrera, managing partner of Egon Zehnder U.S. “The Prince Houston Group embodies both. We look forward to welcoming The Prince Houston Group team to Egon Zehnder and to the great things we can achieve for our clients and partners together.”
Related: How Search Firms are Winning Through M&A and Unlocking Value
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
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