Honoring the retirement of Marcia Ballinger and welcoming the next chapter of leadership at Ballinger | Leafblad
When you talk to people across Minnesota’s civic landscape, the name that rises again and again is Marcia Ballinger. For more than two decades, she has shaped leadership in this region through a rare combination of integrity, care, and relentless responsiveness. This year, Marcia is retiring from executive search, marking the end of a remarkable career that has influenced thousands of leaders and hundreds of organizations.
At the same time, Ballinger | Leafblad is stepping into a new era. Jamie Millard is joining firm ownership as Co-owner and Managing Partner, a transition thoughtfully planned and rooted in the values that have guided this firm since its founding in 2014.
This moment is both a reflection and an invitation. A look back at a career defined by connection, and a look ahead to the next generation of stewardship.
““A career in executive search is a career in connections.”
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A partnership built on trust
Marcia often says that her proudest professional accomplishment is her partnership with co-founder Lars Leafblad. In an industry where firms can fracture under pressure, they built a working relationship defined by deep trust, respect, and care.
Their approach set a tone that shaped the firm’s culture. They led with clear communication, follow through, good humor, high standards, and a deep regard for people. These values became the backbone of the firm and continue to be the compass we aim to follow, even as we keep learning.
“We built this firm through empathy, curiosity, and shared values. Marcia brings out the best in all of us.”
— Lars Leafblad
A career that shaped a region
Marcia’s path through executive search is staggering in scope. She has led more than 300 searches across nonprofits, foundations, associations, healthcare, higher education, and corporations of all types. She helped organizations hire CEOs, presidents, chief development officers, and countless leadership roles at pivotal moments in their histories.
Each search added to a vast network of relationships. Marcia often talks about opening the newspaper and recognizing the names of leaders she has supported along the way. It is a quiet influence that few professions allow, and even fewer people carry with such humility.
Marcia’s work is grounded by her simple belief that “guiding boards through their most important hiring decisions is both profound and humbling.”
A life of service beyond the search
What many people do not see is how Marcia used search as a platform to serve in other ways. She has served on sixteen boards of directors, taught at the college level, written three award winning books (with another in the works), and given hundreds of talks that demystified the hiring process for candidates and boards.
For many years, she has also opened her calendar every Wednesday morning for free coaching and networking calls. No gatekeepers. No prerequisites. Anyone could walk through the virtual door.
And then there is the story others tell because she never does. Two years ago, Marcia donated a kidney to a stranger in order to help a professional colleague move up on the transplant list. It is the clearest window into her character: a life built around helping others.
Preparing the next generation
One of the most meaningful chapters of Marcia’s career has been mentoring the next generation of leadership within the firm. She speaks with deep pride about onboarding and developing Jamie Millard, whose background in nonprofit leadership, partnership building, and civic storytelling brings a modern strength to the work of search.
Marcia describes Jamie as a bright, steady presence, “In Jamie, I see the future of executive search.”
Lars echoes this belief. He sees Jamie as someone uniquely suited for where the field is heading. In the AI era, the future of executive search will be even more relational, community centered, and grounded in translational storytelling. Jamie brings those strengths naturally.
As she steps into firm ownership as Managing Partner, she does so with gratitude for the foundation laid before her and a clear sense of the work ahead.
““I feel a deep responsibility to the firm, our clients, and the wider civic ecosystem. This is a chance to build for the future with intention and to expand the ways we serve leaders and boards in moments that matter.” ”
Looking forward with purpose
The retirement of a founding partner is a significant moment, but it is not an ending. It is a transition shaped by intention. Ballinger | Leafblad is strengthening its internal systems, broadening its support for placed executives, and preparing to introduce new ideas that reflect the evolving needs of the sector.
Jamie will lead many of these next steps with a balance of continuity and fresh vision. The firm remains committed to being a trusted partner to boards and leaders navigating complex transitions.
As part of this next chapter, Marcia will stay engaged with the firm in an Of Counsel capacity. She will continue to provide leadership advisory support to Lars, Jamie, and the entire team. Her perspective, steadiness, and wisdom will remain an essential part of who we are.
More updates will be shared in the months ahead as the firm continues to evolve.
“Marcia shaped the soul of this firm. Having her continue Of Counsel gives us guidance that is both grounding and forward looking.”
— Lars Leafblad
There are few careers that leave such a quiet, steady imprint on a region. Marcia’s work did that. She shaped leadership transitions with care. She built relationships that lasted. She set a tone of generosity that guided a generation of professionals.
Marcia’s influence will be felt for years to come.
Photos by Brett Dorrian Artistry Studios
For inquiries, contact:
Jamie Millard
Managing Partner
jamie@ballingerleafblad.com