John Wasley

John Wasley is the Managing Partner of Wasley Associates, an advisory firm serving family-owned and privately held businesses. He works closely with owners and leadership teams on leadership, succession, and governance during periods of growth, transition, and generational change. When new leadership is required, he conducts focused executive searches that are fully integrated with his advisory work. John brings over three decades of experience advising organizations on senior leadership decisions and executive transitions.

John’s executive search career began at Russell Reynolds Associates, where he joined in 2000 as an Executive Director and developed deep expertise in leadership assessment and executive recruitment. In 2001, he moved to Heidrick & Struggles, where he rose to Senior Managing Partner and led high-profile search engagements for global and national organizations. He later held senior leadership roles at Spencer Stuart and Caldwell Partners, further strengthening his experience placing CEOs, senior executives, and board members. Most recently, as Managing Partner at Ferguson Partners, John advised clients across multiple industries on leadership strategy, executive hiring, and succession planning.

Before entering executive search, John built a strong operating foundation in banking and real estate. He began his career in 1983 as a Vice President at Wedgewood Investment Corporation and became CFO in 1985. In 1988, he founded Wedgewood Development Company, serving as its President and leading real estate development projects. In 1992, he joined People’s Bank of California as Vice President of Real Estate, where he oversaw loan servicing, corporate real estate, and commercial lending. These early operating and leadership roles continue to shape his practical, business-grounded approach to advisory work and executive coaching.

John holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from UCLA and completed executive education programs at Harvard Business School. He also attended Pembroke College at Cambridge University, broadening his academic and global perspective. He served for over 20 years on the board of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, where he chaired the Affordable Housing Program, Governance Committee, and HR and Compensation Committees. He is a certified executive coach through the Hudson Institute and holds credentials from the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

Outside of work, John enjoys woodworking, reading, and spending time with his family at his homes in Chatham, Massachusetts, and Pasadena, California. He serves on the boards of Para Los Niños and the American Red Cross. He is deeply committed to mentoring emerging leaders and helping individuals and organizations grow with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

(310) 963-3811 jwasley@wasleyassociates.com