Howard Fischer

Overview

Howard Fischer is the founder and CEO of Howard Fischer Associates, a Philadelphia-based executive search firm specializing in leadership appointments for organizations across various sectors. The firm has been advising boards, CEOs, and investors on critical leadership decisions for over three decades. In April 2026, Howard Fischer Associates was acquired by ZRG, a leading global talent advisory firm. This acquisition expanded ZRG's leadership search and boardroom advisory capabilities, combining HFA's expertise with ZRG's data-driven platform and global reach. Prior to founding Howard Fischer Associates, Fischer worked for a large brokerage firm for 12 years before establishing his own hedge fund in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1993. He holds a degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in finance and accounting. Fischer's investment focus includes venture capital, private equity, and impact investing, with a particular interest in sectors such as technology, healthcare, consumer products, media, telecommunications, financial services, manufacturing, and consumer services. His firm has been involved in leadership searches for organizations ranging from Fortune 100 companies to high-growth public and privately owned businesses, as well as private equity- and venture-backed organizations. The firm's investment strategy emphasizes identifying and supporting exceptional leadership teams that can drive business performance and innovation. By leveraging a deep understanding of various industries and market dynamics, Fischer and his team aim to align leadership capabilities with organizational goals to achieve sustainable success.