Member Spotlight: Interview with Angela Hardesty, Senior Partner at Hardesty LLC

This month, we are thrilled to spotlight a remarkable individual in our community: Angela Hardesty, senior partner at Hardesty LLC and AZ advisory committee member at the Rocky Mountain French American Chamber of Commerce.

Hardesty LLC is a national executive search and interim executive solutions firm specializing in C-suite, VP, and director-level leadership. For 14 years, it has partnered with over 2,000 clients, delivered more than 850 executive placements, and supported $5.5 billion in merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions. Its work spans private equity, entrepreneur- and family-owned companies, and businesses in transition—including international firms entering the U.S. market. With deep expertise in finance, operations, and growth leadership, Hardesty LLC helps companies secure the right talent to drive performance and scalability in competitive markets like Arizona.

Angela has over 30 years of experience in technology and management roles within the healthcare industry. She is currently responsible for business development and executive search at Hardesty LLC. Now, let’s delve into the interview.

1. How would you define yourself?

I am an optimistic and positive person who is not afraid of challenges. I am interested in people, science, culture, and life experiences. Originally from Kansas, I feel most fortunate to have lived in different countries, learning new languages and working with diverse cultures. These experiences have shaped my identity as a global citizen.

2. Can you share about your background and career? In particular, how did you come to work in healthcare information management? 

I began my career in the legal and finance divisions of hospitals. Drawn to technology, I gravitated to IT where I led large-scale projects. I loved it because I allowed me to engage with everyone who worked in the hospital. It helped me strengthen my problem-solving skills and my ability to make decisions very carefully.

3. How did you become a Francophile and francophone?

After marrying my French husband, we moved to France where we lived for 10 years before returning to the U.S.  I love my experience in France and shared a rich experience starting my family there, making friends, and incorporating the culture into my life. My “belle mère” would be happy with my beef bourgignon and my ironing skills!

4. What achievements or milestones are you most proud of in your career?

Moving into the technology side of healthcare operations was a major milestone in my career. Six years ago, I made another major move by joining Hardesty LLC, a firm founded by my older brother, as a partner. We specialize in interim and fractional C-suite staffing as well as white-glove executive search. This move took my skills beyond the hospital setting and into the consulting and business services industry.  My success has been driven by my strong people skills and my ability to quickly recognize what distinguishes someone and how they will “fit” with my client. Many times, we are asked to find that “purples squirrel” for a client!

5. Can you share with us a major challenge than you faced in your career, and how you overcame it?

I used to believe that I could not take a professional role unless I had all the required knowledge and skills. Over time, I have learned that intelligence, humility, and the willingness and ability to learn and adapt are more important. With the right mindset, it is possible to think outside the box and pursue opportunities in new markets or unfamiliar domains. I overcame perceived limitations by embracing the idea that it is never too late to shift gears and grow.

6. What advice would you give to someone who is considering a career similar to yours? What is it that you wish you had known when you started your career?

To be effective leaders, we need proper training—leadership is not always intuitive. I would recommend anybody aspiring to lead and grow a business to invest in the education and proper leadership training so they can avoid mistakes. I would also recommend that younger professionals find a mentor or a coach, and that they actively build a strong professional network.

7. Can you tell us more about Hardesty LLC and what makes you different from other retained search firms? How can you help our members?

Unlike traditional retained search firms, Hardesty LLC is led by business operators, CEO’s, CFO’s and even General Counsel who have extensive real-world C-suite experience. This translates to an executive services business that operates with speed, flexibility, and a contained search model that creates an accountable partnership with our clients, driving candidate quality accelerating time-to-hire and reducing costs. Hardesty LLC also maintains a deep bench of seasoned executives who are ready to step into interim roles immediately—bridging leadership gaps during transitions due to rapid growth, market entry, or acquisitions. Our proven track record and our ability to quickly tailor solutions to each client’s unique needs makes us a trusted partner for hundreds of companies navigating critical transitions.

Arizona is increasingly attractive to French companies and entrepreneurs, thanks to its fast-growing economy, business-friendly environment, and strong talent pool. However, entering this market can be challenging due to cultural and business differences, scaling complexity, and leadership gaps. Our team of partners and trusted in-market C-suite and operational leaders can support French companies and entrepreneurs as they enter, expand and thrive in the U.S. in addition to our proven expertise in executive search and interim and fractional leadership, Hardesty can also support market entry, M&A advisory as well as operational frameworks for growth. We are especially well-versed in the technology, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing sectors—sectors that are already strong in France and experiencing astounding growth in Arizona.

8. Speaking about technology, how do you think artificial intelligence (AI) is changing or will change your industry or business? Do you view it as an opportunity or threat?

I see AI as a powerful opportunity for executive search and leadership solutions. At Hardesty LLC, we leverage AI and AI enabled toolsets to serve our clients faster and smarter, while keeping human expertise at the heart of every leadership decision. AI enables us to streamline the process of matching executives to client needs, assessing talent pools with greater precision and accelerating candidate sourcing. For our clients, AI is transforming key business functions such as financial forecasting, operational efficiency, risk management and even marketing and training. That said, while AI enhances processes, it cannot replace the face-to-face judgment, strategic insight, and cultural alignment required in executive leadership.

9. What are your plans for the future? Is there any exciting project, personal or professional, that you want to share with us?

My focus is to continue to grow our firm alongside our strong team of partners by connecting with foreign direct investment (FDI) companies entering the U.S. market and serving as a valuable resource to them. I am currently working in Paris for five weeks as part of my annual transatlantic work schedule. Hardesty LLC is a proud member of the Rocky Mountain French American Chamber of Commerce, and I believe that together we can strengthen the ecosystem for French investment in Arizona and help bridge transatlantic business success. We collaborated with Business France to sponsor an event at SemiCon West, welcoming French technology companies to explore opportunities in Arizona.

10. How can people reach out to you?

People can visit our website: https://hardestyllc.com/ 

They can also email me at ahardesty@hardestyllc.com.