Stepping into a new executive role is one of the most pivotal and high-stakes moments in a leader’s career. Yet for many organizations, onboarding stops after the first few weeks of paperwork and introductions. Without intentional structure and support, even the most talented leaders can struggle to gain traction, align priorities, and deliver meaningful results.
At Navigate Forward, we see this challenge every day. Research shows that 50 to 70 percent of executives fail within 18 months of starting a new role, whether they’re external hires or internal promotions (Corporate Executive Board). And according to McKinsey, three-quarters of leaders feel unprepared because onboarding processes rarely meet the complexity of modern leadership transitions.
That’s why we’re excited to introduce our newest service, the Executive Onboarding Accelerator, a six-month program designed to help organizations and their leaders start strong and sustain momentum from day one.
Why Onboarding Matters More Than Ever
As Navigate Forward CEO Anne Sample explains, “Executives don’t fail because they lack skill. They fail because transitions are complex. New hires are overly anxious to deliver results before they have the information they need to prioritize their early actions and ensure success in a new environment.”
The Executive Onboarding Accelerator provides a proven framework and one-on-one coaching support that helps new leaders and their managers align quickly. By accelerating clarity, connection, and contribution, the program ensures leaders can build trust, set clear priorities, and achieve early wins faster and with greater confidence.
Leadership from Experience: Welcoming Mary Nease
Guiding this new service is Mary Nease, who joins Navigate Forward as an Executive Consultant and Practice Lead.
Mary brings more than 25 years of leadership experience as a trusted executive coach and former Chief Human Resources Officer. Her background spans Fortune 500 companies and mission-driven organizations across healthcare, media, financial services, and the arts. Throughout her career, she’s helped leaders strengthen alignment, develop teams, and translate vision into action all while fostering inclusion and belonging.
“Too often, organizations assume experienced leaders will ‘figure it out,’” says Nease. “But every transition brings new dynamics—different cultures, unspoken expectations, and fresh challenges. Our Accelerator program ensures those first six months are intentional, supported, and successful for both the leader and the organization.”
Based in the Twin Cities, Mary works with senior executives across industries and geographies to help them build credibility, establish trust, and deliver results that matter.
A Full-Circle Approach to Executive Transitions
Navigate Forward created the Executive Onboarding Accelerator after identifying a persistent gap: while organizations invest heavily in hiring senior talent, few provide the structured onboarding or coaching needed to help those leaders succeed once they’re in the role.
In fact, only 36% of organizations in the U.S. and Canada report having clear onboarding processes for executives (HR Executive) even though the costs of losing and then replacing a top talent executive can cost anywhere from 200% to 400% of their annual salary, based on findings from the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) & the Center for American Progress (NFP Inaugural Executive Benefits Study).
Our Accelerator program offers a scalable, high-impact way to improve retention, protect leadership investments, and strengthen organizational performance.
The new offering also complements Navigate Forward’s full suite of services for executives and organizations:
- Executive Transition: personalized outplacement for leaders navigating what’s next
- Board Readiness: coaching and tools to prepare for board service
- Legacy Planning: guiding senior executives and organizations through purposeful transitions
Together, these solutions provide a continuum of support for leaders at every stage of their journey, from onboarding and development to legacy and impact.
Start Strong, Lead with Confidence
The Executive Onboarding Accelerator provides what every organization and leader deserves: a clear path to success.
Learn more about how Navigate Forward can help your leaders integrate faster, build alignment, and deliver results with purpose and clarity by reading more on the Executive Onboarding Accelerator or contact our team today.
