The Vistage Chair role is designed for experienced leaders looking to extend their impact beyond the executive role. It provides a way to apply your leadership experience in a new context—working directly with CEOs and business owners while building an independent advisory practice.
A different way to use your executive experience
Many CEOs and senior executives are exploring ways to stay engaged in business leadership beyond traditional executive roles. The Chair role combines independence with a proven advisory model. Instead of running a company, you help leaders make stronger decisions and improve leadership capability.
Stay close to real business leadership
As a Vistage Chair, you work with CEOs and business owners in structured peer advisory groups focused on real decisions and outcomes.
You remain close to the pace and complexity of business—without returning to an executive role.
Build an independent advisory practice
You operate independently and build a portfolio of peer advisory groups over time.
This creates flexibility, autonomy, and long-term professional continuity.
Supported by a proven global model
Unlike building a consulting practice alone, you are supported by structured training, ongoing development, and a global community of experienced Chairs.
This enables you to build a sustainable practice with confidence and consistency.
‘Being a Vistage Chair is the single most profound thing that I have done in my professional career. The ability to assist people on their journeys and to help them become the best leaders and people that they can be is very rewarding. I am quite proud when they accomplish their goals and achieve success in whatever way they measure it.’
Vistage Chair
The Chair role
As a Vistage Chair, you work directly with CEOs and business owners, combining facilitation, coaching, and relationship-building within a proven framework.
You lead confidential peer advisory groups where senior leaders bring real business challenges, test thinking, and gain insight from their peers.
Each month, you facilitate structured group sessions and one-to-one coaching conversations focused on their priorities and decisions.
What it takes to become a Chair
Successful Chairs bring a combination of commercial experience, leadership capability, and the ability to work effectively with senior executives.
They typically bring:
Why leaders choose this role
The Chair role offers independence, structure, and long-term professional continuity. It appeals to experienced leaders considering a portfolio career, board positions, or a transition from full-time executive leadership.
For many, it becomes an engaging next chapter after leaving the C-suite or stepping away from CEO responsibilities.
Explore the Chair role
Is this your next chapter?
If you are an experienced CEO, business owner, or senior executive, we invite you to explore whether the Chair role is right for you. Complete the form below and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss next steps.
Lead leaders. Shape futures.
Evaluate whether becoming a Vistage Chair is your next step. Discover how to apply your leadership experience to guide executives toward greater success.
Frequently asked questions
A Vistage Chair is an experienced business leader who facilitates confidential peer advisory groups for CEOs, business owners, and senior executives, alongside one-to-one coaching. Through structured group discussions and coaching conversations, Chairs help leaders improve decision-making, strengthen leadership capability, and enhance business performance.
Vistage Chairs are typically former CEOs, business owners, managing directors, or senior executives with significant leadership and commercial experience. Many are building a portfolio career that may also include board positions, consulting, or advisory work. It is also a common next step for executives who are considering what to do after leaving the C-suite or who are approaching retirement and exploring a second career.
For many experienced CEOs and senior executives, becoming a Vistage Chair is an alternative to traditional retirement. It provides a way to remain engaged in business leadership while building an independent advisory practice. The role offers flexibility, continuity, and ongoing involvement with CEOs and business owners. This makes it a popular option for leaders who are not ready to fully retire but are seeking a meaningful next stage of career.
Unlike traditional executive coaching or consulting, Vistage Chairs facilitate confidential peer advisory groups where business leaders learn from each other’s experience and perspectives. The role combines coaching, facilitation, and business leadership within an established framework and methodology.
Vistage Chairs typically have 12–15+ years of senior leadership experience, strong commercial and financial acumen, a track record of leading teams, and the ability to coach and challenge senior business leaders effectively. Most candidates are former CEOs or senior executives looking to transition into a second career after significant leadership roles in the C-suite.
Rather than moving directly into retirement, the Chair role provides a structured next step for experienced leaders. You continue working with CEOs and business owners, stay engaged in senior leadership conversations, and build an independent advisory practice—while maintaining flexibility and autonomy.
Board roles focus on governance and strategic oversight, while the Vistage Chair role involves working directly with CEOs and business owners to improve decision-making through structured peer advisory groups. Many executives combine both as part of a broader portfolio career.