About Us

Phelps: Unlocking Potential, Elevating Leadership.

Exceptional Leadership. Remarkable Impact.

At Phelps, we redefine leadership search through our BOLD strategy: Bridging Opportunities, Leading with Distinction. With nearly 40 years of experience, we’ve proudly partnered with mission-driven organizations across Canada’s public, private, and non-profit sectors to identify and support leaders who drive meaningful, sustainable change.

Grounded in our IGNITE values—Integrity, Grit, Nimbleness, Trusted Advisor, and Excellence—we take a high-touch, bespoke approach to every engagement. From first conversation to final placement, we focus on building trust, delivering insight, and delivering exceptional experiences for both clients and candidates.

At Phelps, we don’t just identify talent — we assess leadership readiness through rigorous, evidence-informed methods and values-driven criteria. Our approach is enhanced by the intentional use of digital tools that support, but never replace, human insight.

With local roots in communities across Canada—including Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Edmonton—and global reach through our partnership with Panorama, a global network of leading independent executive search firms, we bring national insight and international access to every search.

"We don't just identify talent. We assess future readiness through thoughtful, evidence-informed methods and values-based criteria- enhanced by selective use of digital tools."

The Phelps Difference

At Phelps, we help organizations unlock transformative leadership that delivers remarkable impact. With nearly 40 years of experience, we are trusted by clients across Canada to find and develop leaders who align with their mission, culture, and future direction.

We are not a volume-based firm—we are a bespoke, high-touch partner. Every engagement is customized to reflect the unique context of your organization. Whether recruiting a CEO, building a succession plan, or enhancing your board’s effectiveness, we bring personalized service, trusted expertise, and deep sector knowledge.

What sets Phelps apart:

A strong foundation in our IGNITE values: Integrity, Grit, Nimbleness, Trusted Advisor, and Excellence
A proven commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging, actively seeking leadership that reflects the full spectrum of diversity— including cultural background, gender, Indigeneity, lived experience, neurodivergence, generation, ability, and identity
National coverage with local roots in Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton, and Calgary, and global reach through our Panorama partnership
A balance of human insight and modern tools to identify and engage high-performing, future-ready leaders
A reputation for building long-term relationships, not just making placements

The arrow at the end of the Phelps wordmark is more than a symbol—it reflects our belief in forward momentum, transformational leadership, and the ever-evolving nature of organizations and the people who lead them. At Phelps, we go beyond role placement — we shape leadership for what lies ahead, guiding organizations through a dynamic and ever-evolving leadership journey.

98%

remain in role 3+ years. 

> 80%

of our clients partner with us repeatedly

95%

hired from our initial shortlist.