|
P. Stephen Webster, PhD
A Pioneer in Life Science Executive Search For more than three decades, Stephen Webster has been a trusted advisor to the life sciences industry, specializing in senior executive assessments and CFO recruitment. As the founder of S. Webster Executive Search, he has successfully placed over 400 CFOs and conducted thousands of executive assessments for life science companies worldwide—ranging from Fortune 500 multinationals to early-stage biotech startups. Within the company’s specialty, it is generally recognized as the life science industry’s benchmark executive search firm. |
Stephen Webster, PhD
President / S. Webster Executive Search |
Stephen’s expertise, deep understanding of executive leadership dynamics, and rigorous assessment methodologies have established S. Webster Executive Search as the gold standard in CFO recruitment for the life sciences sector.
A Career Shaped by Insight and Innovation
Stephen’s journey into executive search and leadership assessment began with a chance encounter that would shape his career. As an American PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia, he was introduced to James Burke, then CEO of Johnson & Johnson. Impressed by Stephen’s insights into corporate organizational behavior and executive assessment, Mr. Burke became a strong advocate, leading to Stephen’s engagement as a senior executive assessment and industrial-organizational behavior consultant for some of the most successful corporations in the life sciences industry.
Alongside his consulting engagements, Stephen founded SunStone Corporation, a software development firm focused on business intelligence and financial systems software. Collaborating with leading programmers and top accounting firms, he designed an innovative graphical user interface that seamlessly integrated point-of-sale systems with back-office financial software. His work attracted interest from private equity firms, institutional investors, and Fortune 500 corporations, culminating in the sale of SunStone’s intellectual property to NCR Corporation.
In 1990, Stephen founded S. Webster Executive Search, establishing a firm dedicated to precision, expertise, and excellence in CFO and senior financial executive recruitment for life sciences. The firm quickly gained widespread recognition for its pioneering methodologies and unmatched ability to identify and assess top-tier financial leaders.
Stephen’s journey into executive search and leadership assessment began with a chance encounter that would shape his career. As an American PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia, he was introduced to James Burke, then CEO of Johnson & Johnson. Impressed by Stephen’s insights into corporate organizational behavior and executive assessment, Mr. Burke became a strong advocate, leading to Stephen’s engagement as a senior executive assessment and industrial-organizational behavior consultant for some of the most successful corporations in the life sciences industry.
Alongside his consulting engagements, Stephen founded SunStone Corporation, a software development firm focused on business intelligence and financial systems software. Collaborating with leading programmers and top accounting firms, he designed an innovative graphical user interface that seamlessly integrated point-of-sale systems with back-office financial software. His work attracted interest from private equity firms, institutional investors, and Fortune 500 corporations, culminating in the sale of SunStone’s intellectual property to NCR Corporation.
In 1990, Stephen founded S. Webster Executive Search, establishing a firm dedicated to precision, expertise, and excellence in CFO and senior financial executive recruitment for life sciences. The firm quickly gained widespread recognition for its pioneering methodologies and unmatched ability to identify and assess top-tier financial leaders.
A Legacy of Leadership in Executive Search
For over 35 years, Stephen has been at the forefront of executive search and assessment, developing a proprietary methodology tailored specifically to CFO and senior finance roles. This approach combines:
• Expert interviews and professional observation
• Psychometric performance evaluations
• Benchmarking candidate assessments against a proprietary database of thousands of top-tier life science executives, with confirmed performance actualizations.
This comprehensive and data-driven process provides companies with unparalleled insight into leadership potential, ensuring the right executive fit for long-term success.
At S. Webster Executive Search, Stephen remains committed to setting the gold standard in financial leadership recruitment—helping life science companies secure the CFO talent needed to drive innovation, investment, and long-term success.
For over 35 years, Stephen has been at the forefront of executive search and assessment, developing a proprietary methodology tailored specifically to CFO and senior finance roles. This approach combines:
• Expert interviews and professional observation
• Psychometric performance evaluations
• Benchmarking candidate assessments against a proprietary database of thousands of top-tier life science executives, with confirmed performance actualizations.
This comprehensive and data-driven process provides companies with unparalleled insight into leadership potential, ensuring the right executive fit for long-term success.
At S. Webster Executive Search, Stephen remains committed to setting the gold standard in financial leadership recruitment—helping life science companies secure the CFO talent needed to drive innovation, investment, and long-term success.
Education
University of British Columbia
Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Psychology
Subspecialty: Social/Personality Psychology
Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology & Finance
Public Service
Stephen contributes his career coaching services to military veterans and residents of women’s & family shelters on a pro bono basis. He provides career and job search consulting, as well as direct assistance in securing educational, vocational and employment opportunities.
University of British Columbia
Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Psychology
Subspecialty: Social/Personality Psychology
Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology & Finance
Public Service
Stephen contributes his career coaching services to military veterans and residents of women’s & family shelters on a pro bono basis. He provides career and job search consulting, as well as direct assistance in securing educational, vocational and employment opportunities.