Managing Director
Jane S. Howze, J.D.
Jane S. Howze, J.D., a founder and one of the principals of The Alexander Group, has more than 30 years of experience in executive search. She has successfully recruited executives worldwide in every industry and for every leadership position. Ms. Howze leads The Alexander Group’s board searches and diversity practice, and our clients look to her as a valued, pragmatic business advisor. She is a certified Personalysis trainer, sharing her expertise in this innovative assessment tool to help clients build stronger teams. Ms. Howze is also a regular columnist for Paper City and the author of “Best Practices for Executive Search Firms” for the “Inside the Minds” book series, and she is frequently quoted in major national publications.
Prior to founding The Alexander Group, Jane S. Howze recruited for Korn Ferry. She began her career as a commercial loan officer for a leading Texas bank, practiced business law with a Houston law firm, and served as Associate General Counsel for a California-based, multi-national financial institution. She is a member of the State Bars of California and Texas.
“We never quit. If a search can be done, we can do it. Even if a search can’t be done, we will figure out a way to do it.”
Education
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University of Houston
Juris Doctor
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Rhodes College
Bachelor of Arts, Economics
Industry Experience
Not-for-profit
Energy
Manufacturing
Legal and Professional Services
Life Sciences and Healthcare
Professional Services
What do you think differentiates The Alexander Group from other executive search firms?
We are client-focused more than we are bottom-line focused. We want to build long-term relationships with our clients, and our 35 years in business reflect that we are meeting that goal.
What’s the highest compliment a client can give you?
“You have saved our organization.” “How do we decide between two outstanding candidates?” “You are more than a recruiter—you are an important part of our team.”
What do you think is the most difficult part of executive search, and how do you respond to it?
In starting a search, you don’t know if you will have to make 30 calls or 300 calls to identify the perfect candidate. By the time companies call us, they are in a hurry. We must be strategic and innovative while being nimble and moving with alacrity.
What do you love about your work?
I love the variety of my practice, including learning about new industries, new clients and the management teams that make our clients special. I also like the travel, which is good because I flew 225,000 miles last year.
Recent Articles
Mastering Law Firm Merger Integration: Secrets to Seamless Success
Law firm mergers hit a record high in 2024 as firms sought to leverage practices, expand geographies, and supplement areas of expertise. But while many firms emphasize strategic alignment and cultural compatibility, the real challenge lies in effective law firm merger integration. Leaders often tout how mergers will expand their geographical footprint or align practices,
The Emerging Power of the CIO Role in Law Firms: Shaping The Legal Future
We discuss the evolving role of CIOs in law firms, highlighting their shift from technical experts to strategic leaders.
Board Member Resignation: How to Navigate Corporate Governance Crisis
The Alexander Group advises on responding to a full board resignation, emphasizing urgency, communication, and understanding voting structures.
Q&A with Nonprofit Leader, Steven Taylor, Executive Vice President of the Arthritis Foundation
Anyone who has ever been involved with a not-for-profit will at some point be asked to serve on a search committee or lead a search committee’s search for a new CEO/President or senior officer. We have written previously about the responsibilities of search committee members and how candidates can prepare for a search committee interview.
Wellness Strategies to Retain and Recruit Talent
This blog was originally written and published in 2020. During the pandemic, The Alexander Group has spoken to and, in some cases, advised clients who were adjusting to the new normal: working from home, vaccination policies, and creating procedures for returning to the office in some form. As mental health became more openly discussed as