Middle Market Advisory Firm Growth Operators Names Molly Hiller Chief Executive Officer

MINNEAPOLIS — Growth Operators named co-founder Molly Hiller as its new chief executive officer, according to a corporate announcement issued on Sept. 30, 2026. Hiller steps into the chief executive role as the middle-market advisory firm scales its integrated platform across corporate strategy, talent acquisition, technology implementation, and artificial intelligence capabilities.

Strategic Context

With Hiller’s appointment to chief executive officer, co-founder Rick Nordvold transitions to the role of executive chairman. In his new capacity, Nordvold will lead North Partners while continuing to shape the overarching direction of the advisory platform. The leadership adjustment coincides with a broader operational expansion at Growth Operators, which provides specialized consulting and executive services to middle-market companies navigating complex transitions.

The firm has structured its service model around four core pillars: strategy, talent, technology, and AI. By splitting the executive chairman and chief executive officer duties between Nordvold and Hiller, Growth Operators aims to divide high-level corporate development from day-to-day operational execution as the firm scales its consulting lines.

Forward Outlook

Operators, founders, and allocators monitoring the middle-market advisory sector should watch how Growth Operators integrates its technology and artificial intelligence practices under Hiller's executive leadership. As advisory firms increasingly incorporate advanced tools into client engagements across strategy and talent acquisition, the execution of these platform expansions will dictate the firm's competitive positioning in the regional and national advisory markets.