For 27 years, Chris Aud built his career inside a single global organization, developing deep expertise across trading, sales, and general management.
He joined the company after graduating from St. Olaf College and found what few professionals do: a place to grow, advance, and build a nearly three-decade leadership career. Along the way, he worked at five locations in the U.S. and Canada, traveled to six continents, and served in four different business units.
Over time, Chris discovered he thrived in smaller, faster-moving businesses within the organization where decisions happen quickly, and leaders can more easily see the direct impact of their work. He enjoyed leading cross-functional teams and was thriving professionally.
Then a major career change created the opportunity to rethink what came next.
The Moment That Sparked a New Chapter
After nearly three decades with the same employer, Chris suddenly found himself navigating the executive job market for the first time.
Like many long-serving leaders, he encountered a new reality:
- A network predominantly established within a single organization
- Limited familiarity with modern executive job search strategies
- A key question: What should the next chapter entail?
This turning point became the catalyst for a more intentional career strategy.
Why Executive Transition Support Made the Difference
As part of his transition, Chris was presented with the opportunity to engage with Navigate Forward. The experience proved transformational.
Instead of rushing into the next role, he began with deep discovery work to define what he truly wanted. Together with his Executive Consultant, Jackie Ottoson, he explored multiple paths from leadership roles in small and mid-sized companies to nonprofit leadership opportunities, and even franchising and business ownership.
Through this process, Chris clarified his ideal target: A senior leadership role in a small-to-mid-sized Twin Cities organization.
Rebuilding a Network After a Long-Tenured Career
One of the biggest challenges long-tenured executives face is networking. After nearly three decades at one company, Chris’s professional connections were largely internal.
Executive transition support helped him build a structured networking strategy from the ground up.
The results were powerful. Because he embraced the new outreach tools and approaches introduced to him, he developed a strong local executive network.
“One of the first people I met with was an extremely well-connected professional in the Twin Cities area and a true Go Giver…That person introduced me to five other people, and from there, it snowballed. Meeting so many incredible people who were so generous with their time and insights has been the most fulfilling part of this process.”
Ultimately, both of his final job opportunities came through networking conversations.
Crafting the Executive Narrative That Opened Doors
Two more key factors helped speed up Chris’s search. First, he improved how he conveyed his experience, strengths, and leadership principles to better connect with new audiences.
Then he modernized his executive brand by refreshing his LinkedIn profile to communicate a clear, compelling leadership narrative, with help from Navigate Forward’s LinkedIn Practice Lead, Richard Dodson.
Together, these changes strengthened his visibility and positioned him for senior leadership opportunities, including CEO roles.
Choosing Between Two Leadership Opportunities
As momentum built, Chris reached a milestone many executives hope for: securing two strong opportunities at once.
With his consultant’s support, he evaluated both roles using a structured framework, considering values match, role fit and scope, growth opportunities, organizational culture, and long-term potential.
One opportunity stood out.
Landing the CEO Role at Clean Response
Chris ultimately accepted the position of CEO at Clean Response, a premier full-service disaster recovery and property restoration company serving commercial and multi-family clients around the Twin Cities and nationally.
He describes the future as very promising.
“I’m very happy with how things worked out…I’m three months into the new role and love the organization, the people, and the challenges that exist within the business. The growth opportunities that we have in front of us are exciting…the future is bright for the team here, and I’m honored to lead the organization in realizing that potential.”
Advice for Executives Navigating Career Transition
Chris’s advice for leaders entering transition reflects the lessons he learned along the way:
“Embrace the process and take full advantage of the resources available to you. Try to find a balance between strategic networking with your target audiences and being open to every connection opportunity. You truly don’t know where that next opportunity will come from. And in terms of approach, patience, perspective, and persistence are all critical disciplines to practice.”
Executive transition can feel uncertain, but with the right strategy and support, it can become a powerful turning point.
“Without Navigate Forward, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
With the right guidance, a career change can become an opportunity to define your next chapter with clarity and confidence. Learn more about how Navigate Forward supports executive leaders at every stage of the leadership lifecycle, or contact us today to take the first step on your journey.
