Executive Search & Leadership Advisory · Est. 2006
About Hunter Ambrose
A trusted partner in executive search and leadership advisory for organizations navigating growth, change, and transition.
Executive Search & Leadership Advisory · Est. 2006
Leaders who
define what's next
Nicole Barbano is the Founder and CEO of Hunter Ambrose, a boutique executive search and leadership advisory firm that works with boards, CEOs, and leadership teams across healthcare, infrastructure, family offices, and investor-backed organizations.
For nearly two decades, Nicole has advised organizations on one of the most consequential decisions any institution makes: who it hires to lead.
Nicole began Hunter Ambrose in San Diego, California, building the firm around a simple idea — that executive search should combine rigorous candidate evaluation with trusted advisory relationships. Over time, the firm expanded nationally and is now operated from Kansas City, Missouri, where Nicole runs the business alongside her husband, Justin.
Together, they oversee executive search engagements, leadership coaching, and advisory work for organizations navigating leadership transition and growth.
Throughout her career, Nicole has worked directly with boards, founders, and executive teams to recruit and develop leaders responsible for complex organizations and public-facing institutions. Her work often intersects with environments where leadership decisions carry significant operational, financial, and community impact, including hospitals, utilities, special districts, and regulated enterprises.
Nicole also works with small business owners, founders, and emerging leaders through executive coaching and leadership advisory sessions. Her coaching focuses on practical leadership execution — helping leaders clarify priorities, strengthen decision-making, and navigate the realities of building and leading organizations.
She is the host of the Hunter Ambrose Podcast, where she interviews executives, operators, and leadership thinkers about the realities of work, hiring, and organizational leadership.
98%
Placement Retention Rate
110+
Days to Close, C-Suite Searches
91%
Candidate Interview Rate
71%
Clients Return Within 2 Years
Hunter Ambrose Leadership Podcast
In this episode, Jim Basch breaks down what actually separates failing rural hospitals from thriving ones, starting with the one metric boards ignore until it’s too late: days cash on hand. Jim is a healthcare finance leader who specializes in turnarounds for critical access and community hospitals. He walks through the operational levers CFOs can pull right now—from zero-based budgeting and staffing discipline to overlooked revenue cycle fixes and swing bed strategy.
The Hire by Nicohle Barbano
A history of hiring, an honest look at a broken system, and the only guide written for both sides of the table
I applied to 300 jobs. Nobody called. I posted the role three months ago. Nobody qualified showed up.
These are the realities on both sides of the hiring table — and they have been true longer than most people realize. From Leonardo da Vinci’s 1482 letter to the Duke of Milan to the medieval guild system to the Manhattan Project’s recruitment of 130,000 people to build a secret city in the desert, hiring has always been the most human — and most mismanaged — transaction in professional life.
The Hunter Ambrose Report
At Hunter Ambrose, we don’t just fill roles—we tell your story. Through tailored executive search, video job profiles, and thought leadership content, we connect organizations with leaders who are aligned with your mission, culture, and long-term vision.
Farword with Nichole Barbano
Led by founder and executive coach Nicole Barbano, our approach goes beyond résumés. We spotlight the heart of your organization, crafting a narrative that resonates with high-impact candidates—from the C-suite to senior operations. Every placement is a strategic investment in your future.
Executive Search & Leadership Advisory · Est. 2006
Where Leadership Hiring Actually Happens.
80% of executive hires never touch a job board. The leaders your competitors can’t find are performing, not looking. Our flat-fee retained structure means no surprise costs tied to compensation — just results delivered on time and on budget, backed by a one-year placement guarantee.
01 — Discovery
Role Design & Strategic Alignment
We begin where most firms don’t — understanding your organization’s leadership philosophy, culture, and the precise performance expectations that define success in this role before a single candidate is identified.
02 — Activation
Network Outreach & Market Intelligence
Proprietary outreach into passive networks built over two decades. We identify leaders who are performing, not just available — then position your opportunity to compete for their attention.
03 — Delivery
Curated Presentation & Close
A disciplined pipeline, not a volume game. Every candidate presented has been thoroughly vetted against your criteria. We close on time, on budget, and with a one-year placement guarantee behind every engagement.
Executive Search & Leadership Advisory · Est. 2006
Why Choose Hunter Ambrose
A more deliberate approach to leadership decisions.
At Hunter Ambrose, we approach executive search as a strategic advisory—not a transactional service. We recognize that leadership decisions shape the trajectory of an organization, and we bring a level of rigor, discretion, and judgment that reflects the importance of that responsibility. Every engagement is partner-led, ensuring continuity, accountability, and a deep understanding of both the role and the broader context in which it operates.
We work selectively, allowing us to go beyond surface-level qualifications and focus on identifying leaders who align with your organization’s long-term vision. Through a relationship-driven approach and direct market engagement, we access exceptional talent and deliver outcomes designed for lasting impact.
What sets us apart:
- Partner-led engagements with senior-level involvement throughout
- A highly selective approach focused on depth, not volume
- Access to exceptional, often off-market leadership talent
- Rigorous evaluation of leadership, culture, and long-term fit
- Strategic advisory perspective—not just execution
- Absolute discretion and professionalism in every engagement
- A focus on long-term impact, not short-term placement
Recent Placements
Leaders we placed this year
Chief Financial Officer
Special Water District
Chief Nursing Officer
Critical Access Hospital
Chief of Staff
Ultra-High-Net-Worth Family Office
Chief Operating Officer
Regional Law Firm
General Manager
Special Water District
Vice President of Marketing
National Healthcare Organization
Director, Revenue Cycle
Regional Health System
Fractional Chief Financial Officer
Growth-Stage Organization
Administrator
Mass Torts Practice
Clinical Manager
Hospice Services
Start the Conversation
Your next leader is already out there.
If your organization is preparing for a leadership transition or strategic hire, we welcome a confidential conversation. No obligation — just clarity on how we can help you find the leader your organization needs.