At Pacific International Executive Search, we believe that people are at the heart of every success story. And after 14 years with the business, few embody that more than Adam Nuzie, our Chief Commercial Officer.
Adam’s journey with Pacific began when he joined as the company’s very first US hire. What started as a leap into the unknown has grown into a career defined by resilience, leadership, and a relentless drive to deliver for clients and candidates alike. Along the way, Adam has not only helped build and expand Pacific’s US operations but also shaped a culture rooted in trust, empathy, and long-term partnerships.
To mark this milestone, Margaret Jaouadi sat down with Adam Nuzie to reflect on his path so far, the lessons learned from both challenges and triumphs, and what continues to motivate him every day.
Adam’s story is a reminder that careers aren’t always linear, leadership is a journey of constant growth, and culture is built by people who care. Fourteen years on, his impact on Pacific International and the people around him speaks volumes. Here’s to celebrating what’s achieved and to the exciting years still ahead!
Margaret Jaouadi
Adam, describe your career journey so far.
Adam Nuzie
I’d say the word that best sums it up is ‘unexpected’. When I started my career, it was in HR transformation. I didn’t imagine executive search would be my path, but I was fortunate enough to be recruited as the very first US hire for Pacific.
From there, it’s been a mix of hard work, tenacity, continuous learning, and a lot of growth both personally and professionally. If I had to put it into three words, I’d say unexpected, rewarding, and challenging. Those three really capture the journey so far.
Margaret Jaouadi
What was it like stepping into a leadership role?
Adam Nuzie
It was a big learning curve. My first real leadership role came when I was in New York. David, our CEO, left me with a team I hadn’t hired myself. It was tough, and honestly, it didn’t work out for everyone involved. At the time, I wondered if it was me, the circumstances, or just a mismatch. Looking back, I realize that those moments where I struggled as a leader were actually the most significant learning opportunities.
If you asked people who work with me today, I hope they’d say they’ve seen massive growth in me as a leader since those early days, and I know that growth will continue. My philosophy has evolved into something simple: I want to be the kind of leader people want to work for and with, not someone they fear. For me, leadership is about trust, empathy, and being human. Titles don’t make you better than anyone else; we’re all equal. That mindset has shaped the way I lead and, I believe, why I’ve been successful in recent years.
Margaret Jaouadi
Do you recall the mindset of that Adam from those days?
Adam Nuzie
Yes, fear. Back then, I was afraid of failing as a leader, to the point where I dreaded going to work some days because I felt like I’d let people down. Today, my mindset is very different. I still fail, but I view failure as an opportunity to learn and improve. I’m not an “expert” in leadership, but I am an expert in learning and growing, and by doing that, I can help others do the same.
Margaret Jaouadi
The highs and lows of the past 14 years: what have you learned from both your biggest challenge and your greatest success?
Adam Nuzie
There have definitely been plenty of highs and lows. My approach has always been to remain even-keeled, recognizing the wins for what they are and facing challenges without losing focus. This business is about building long-term relationships, and that requires consistency.
One low that sticks with me wasn’t actually mine, but David’s, our CEO. I remember a period in New York when he had several projects in a row fall through. I’ll never forget the look on his face. It really struck me how much this work can take out of you. It was a turning point for me because I realized this job isn’t just about my success, it’s about supporting the whole team.
As for highs, I’d say what we’ve achieved in the US is my proudest accomplishment. When I moved to Philadelphia about seven years ago, it was just me and Kat (Kathryn Williams). She was working remotely at the time, but she’s been with me every step of the way since. Today, as Group Director and Head of Delivery, Americas, she’s not only my right hand but also a huge reason for our success in the US. I had just come off a failure in leadership in New York, so the odds didn’t look great. But today, we’ve grown that to a team of 18, a group of people who (I hope) genuinely enjoy working here. That’s bigger than any single placement or client win. Building that team and culture is the greatest success of my career so far.
Margaret Jaouadi
What keeps you motivated?
Adam Nuzie
The fear of not being good enough. It’s what gets me out of bed ready to go every day, even without coffee, which I don’t drink! But beyond that, my motivation comes from not wanting to let down our clients and candidates. We’re in a service business, and if people trust us with their careers or hiring needs, then it’s my responsibility to ensure we deliver at the highest level.
Margaret Jaouadi
What in your view is the key to a strong company culture?
Adam Nuzie
It all comes down to having the right people on the journey with you, which makes everything else possible. I honestly believe we have the strongest culture in the US today that we’ve ever had, and that’s not because of me, but because of the people in this office.
Of course, culture isn’t just about working hard. It’s also about creating an environment where people want to come in every day. Our office manager, Rebecca Holton, does a fantastic job of organizing things outside of work, such as team dinners, happy hours, golf outings, and even a recent paint-and-sip night. It’s about balance: delivering for our clients but also making sure our people enjoy being part of Pacific.
Margaret Jaouadi
What is essential for maintaining client loyalty?
Adam Nuzie
First and foremost, consistent delivery. Relationships and likeability only go so far. If you can’t deliver results quickly and at a high standard, none of that matters.
Once you prove you can deliver, then it’s about building genuine, long-term relationships. At Pacific, we don’t chase one-off fees. We focus on loyalty and partnerships that last. Clients return to us not only because we’re skilled at what we do, but also because they know we genuinely care about their business.
I’ve never lost a client because our fees were too high. We’re fair, reasonable, and we invest in our relationships. At the end of the day, we’re only as strong as our weakest link, so the entire team must support one another to deliver consistently.
Margaret Jaouadi
But you would never be able to control everything. There are things beyond your control, so client relationships are also about trust and that “leap of faith.” Do you think you’ve built relationships that allow for that?
Adam Nuzie
I do. You can’t be perfect 100% of the time, and clients are aware of this. Where you really differentiate yourself is in those moments when things don’t go as planned. Do you take ownership? Do you work with the client to make it right? That’s where trust is built.
Ultimately, we’re an external partner. We’ll never know a client’s business better than they do. But the more we learn, the more we invest in understanding them, the more successful we’ll be together.
Margaret Jaouadi
What is one dream you want to realize for Pacific International?
Adam Nuzie
It may sound cliché, but I’d love for Pacific to be known as the best executive search firm in the world. To me, the sign you’re heading in the right direction is when clients are actively seeking you out, when you’re being pursued for your expertise.
Equally important is seeing the people we’ve invested in grow their own careers. For me, the real reward is watching people we’ve mentored flourish, whether that’s at Pacific or elsewhere. That’s what this job is really about.
Margaret Jaouadi
What advice would you give to future leaders?
Adam Nuzie
Leadership is hard; there’s no way around it. My advice would be: don’t try to lead until you’ve done the job yourself. People respect leaders who have been in the trenches and understand what they’re asking of others.
Secondly, don’t be afraid to fail. You won’t get everything right, but if you give 110%, put yourself in other people’s shoes, and genuinely care about their success, you’ll grow into a leader people want to follow.
And above all, lead by example.
Margaret Jaouadi
Any last reflections?
Adam Nuzie
I think what I’m most proud of is the loyalty I’ve shown to Pacific, and the loyalty they’ve shown me. Fourteen years at one company is rare these days. Most people jump from role to role, and I’ve always believed in being “long-term greedy” with your career.
I trust the people around me, and I’ve grown alongside them. Hopefully, I’ll be saying the same thing 14 years from now.
Margaret Jaouadi
It is a pleasure to witness your and Pacific’s growth in the US, and I cannot wait to see what the coming years will bring. Thank you for this candid conversation, Adam, and congratulations on your anniversary!
Quick-fire questions:
A person you admire. It’s not one person, but two. It’s my mom and dad and where they’ve come from, how they live their lives together, and the values they instilled in their kids.
What is your favorite cuisine? Can I pick two? It’s Italian and sushi.
Seaside or mountains? I’m a homebody. However, since I met my wife, who loves the sea, I’d now choose the seaside.
Summer or winter? I hate the cold.
What is the last TV series you binged on? The King of Queens
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? I’d say Florence. I love Italy, love the culture of the people, the weather.
What is the skill that you have that you are most proud of? Being a dad, being a good dad.
What do you look forward to most this year? I will be working really hard for the next 3 ½ months so I can enjoy my December family trip to Baha Mar with my wife and kids, and then fly to Florida to spend time with my whole family.