Life doesn’t always play by the rules. Sometimes, it throws you a challenge that changes everything – where staying on the same path is no longer an option. For some, this moment means walking away. But for An Vo, it was climacteric.
In 2019, An found herself at one such crossroads. Her eldest son had been diagnosed with lissencephaly (a rare neurological condition that demanded more of her time and care) and at that point his health was declining significantly. She was at the peak of her corporate career. But suddenly, her priorities shifted, and walking away from her career wasn’t the answer. Nor was sacrificing her family’s needs. So, she decided to build something new that allowed her to be both. Along the way, she flipped the notion of leadership, proving success isn’t always chasing or transitioning between roles. Sometimes, it means rewriting the rules entirely.
‘Leadership and Motherhood’
When An Vo (Founding Partner & Managing Director, APAC region) founded Janus Executive Search & Talent Advisory, she was building a solution that would let her stay connected to her passion for executive search while being fully present for her family.
An’s decision to step away from her corporate career wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. Her eldest son had been diagnosed with lissencephaly, a rare neurological condition that required more of her time and attention. Faced with this difficult situation, An chose a path that allowed her to balance motherhood and entrepreneurship. And in doing so, she built a company that now helps others navigate their own leadership challenges.
“It wasn’t just about leaving my corporate role. I needed to create something that allowed me to still be part of the professional world, but in a way that worked for my family.” – An
From Corporate Success to a New Beginning
An Vo’s career had always been rooted in human resources management. She started on the corporate side, working as an internal talent acquisition and HR business partner where she gained a deep understanding of the challenges companies face when hiring and managing senior leaders. Later, her move into external executive search gave her a broader perspective, allowing her to work with diverse clients and industries.
Her expertise in global talent mapping and succession planning made her a trusted advisor for companies looking to build resilient leadership teams. She progressed very quickly in the corporate world and was once the youngest HR Director after just 6 years into her career. But as her family’s needs shifted, An had to reimagine what her career could look like.
A conversation with her then company’s bosses opened the door to a new possibility. When An shared her challenges in balancing work and family, her bosses encouraged her to start her own business and offered to be her first client. This unexpected vote of confidence gave An the push she needed.
“It was the conversation which I am forever grateful for. That conversation gave me the courage and sparked that entrepreneurial spirit that I didn’t know was inside me”,” she recalls. “It wasn’t just about starting a business. It was about creating something that aligned with my life.”
Building Janus – An’s Brainchild
Janus Executive Search & Talent Advisory was built with a clear purpose: to help companies secure top-level leaders while maintaining a creative and personalized approach. But for An, Janus was also about creating a work culture where her team could thrive. Drawing on her own experiences, she designed Janus to be a place where employees could do meaningful work while also searching for the right balance in their personal lives.
“I didn’t just want to build another search firm,” An says. “I wanted to build a company where people could do great work without sacrificing the things that matter to them. I want it to be a place where my team can find their meaning beyond just work.”
This mindset shaped Janus into a firm that prioritizes flexibility and trust. The company operates on a hybrid model – combining a strong in-house team with an extensive global network of experts and partners.
Leading the Pack & the Competition
The executive search market is crowded. This is especially true for regions like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia, where talent shortages and shifting workforce dynamics create constant challenges. To stand out, Janus took a customized, client-centric approach from day one. Instead of chasing volume, An focused on quality over quantity, taking on assignments that required specialized expertise and delivering high-impact results.
“We’re not interested in just filling roles,” An Vo explains. “Our goal is to place leaders who can transform organizations and drive growth.”
Janus specializes in Board-level, C & D level placements, focusing on industries such as financial services, technology, FMCG, retail, and real estate. The company’s proactive global talent mapping allows clients to anticipate future hiring needs rather than reacting to immediate gaps. This forward-thinking strategy has earned Janus a reputation as a trusted partner in the region.
Creating a Harmonious Co-Existence of Work, Life, and Purpose
Strength isn’t always loud. It’s not always in the boardroom, making tough calls or leading high-stakes negotiations. Sometimes, it’s quieter. It’s in the moments when life throws you a curveball, and instead of backing down, you pivot – quietly, steadily, and with purpose. And An knows this kind of strength well.
Whether she’s leading her company, mentoring her team, or spending time with her family, An is deliberate about where she invests her time.
“I’ve learned that balance isn’t about doing everything perfectly,” she says. “It’s about knowing what matters most and making space for that.”
Juggling Motherhood, Leadership, and Responsibilities
Raising three children, including a child with special needs, while managing a growing business is no small feat. An is candid about the challenges that come with juggling these responsibilities. There’s no perfect formula for balance, she says it’s about constant adjustment and staying clear on priorities.
To stay on top of everything, An uses a visual calendar system where she color-codes her commitments to track how much time she’s dedicating to work, family, and personal needs. When one color starts to dominate, she knows it’s time to reset.
“Seeing it visually helps me stay accountable,” she says. “It’s a simple system, but it keeps me on track.”
Crushing the Rose-Tinted Ceilings
As a woman in leadership, An Vo understands the challenges that women often face in the corporate world. However, she’s quick to point out that her own journey has been one of support and respect. In Vietnam, where Janus has a strong presence and where An is currently located, female leaders are widely recognized and valued.
“I’ve been fortunate to work in environments where being a woman wasn’t a limitation,” An says. “But I know that’s not always the case for others, which is why I’m committed to creating opportunities for women to succeed.”
For An, empowering women isn’t about creating divisions but ensuring women have the same opportunities to lead and grow. She firmly believes that true empowerment is about giving women the freedom to choose their paths, whether that means focusing on their careers, raising families, or both. An attributed a lot of what she has been able to do to the great support and inspiration she has from her husband whom she calls her “life-long best friend”.
An says “I once read a quote from Sheryl Sandberg the COO of Facebook “The most important career choice you’ll make is who you marry.” And for me that is more than true. I couldn’t have done all of these without my husband. For me he represents my definition of women empowerment.”
Trifecta of Core Leadership
When asked about the qualities that make a great leader, An emphasizes three traits that she believes are essential:
- Compassion: Understanding and valuing people beyond their professional roles.
- Vision: Being able to see the bigger picture and inspire others to move toward it.
- Authenticity: Leading with sincerity and staying true to one’s values.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with amazing leaders throughout my career,” An reflects. “The ones who inspired me the most weren’t just smart or strategic. They were compassionate, visionary, and authentic.”
For Women, By Women
An Vo credits much of her approach to leadership to the strong women who shaped her life. Her mother Thu Thao Thi Nguyen in Vietnam taught her resilience and strength, while her American host mother, Suzanne Deal Booth who hosted her during her years living in the US, helped her balance Eastern and Western values and encouraged her to stay curious and open to new experiences. “I have learned so much from both of them,” An says. “They showed me that strength and compassion can go hand in hand.”
An also draws inspiration from Mother Teresa, whose philosophy of doing “small things with great love” has stayed with her throughout her career. “That’s the mindset I try to bring to my work,” An Vo says. “It’s not always about making big moves. It’s about showing up consistently and doing your best, even when no one’s watching.”
Synonymizing Janus with Trust
Under An Vo’s leadership, Janus Executive Search & Talent Advisory has become a name that companies trust for senior executive search and talent advisory across the Asia-Pacific region. The firm’s ability to identify future talent needs and align them with long-term business goals has positioned it as a preferred partner for companies seeking transformative leadership.
Janus’ success lies in its proactive talent planning and global reach, ensuring that clients find the right leaders who can navigate complexity and drive growth. The company’s highly customized approach allows it to tackle assignments that require niche expertise and a deep understanding of market dynamics.
Painting the Bigger Picture
An Vo’s leadership philosophy is built around transparency, trust, and empowerment. She believes that people do their best work when they understand the bigger picture and feel trusted to make decisions.
At Janus, she fosters an environment where collaboration and open communication are encouraged, and where her team is empowered to take ownership of their work.
“I’m very clear with my team about where we’re going and why,” An explains. “When people understand the ‘why,’ they’re more engaged and invested in the outcome.”
One of the unique aspects of Janus’ culture is reverse mentoring – where younger team members share fresh perspectives while senior employees pass down their knowledge and experience. This creates a dynamic where learning flows in both directions, keeping the company agile and innovative.
On to The Next Chapter
Looking ahead, An Vo has big plans for Janus. While executive search will always be at the core of the business, she envisions expanding Janus into a full-service talent advisory firm that offers leadership development, talent planning, and succession strategy. “Our clients don’t just need great leaders today,” An explains. “They need a plan for the future. That’s where we want to add value.”
Geographic expansion is also on the horizon. Janus is looking to strengthen its presence in other Asia-Pacific markets and explore opportunities beyond the region.
As Janus continues to grow, An remains focused on ensuring that her work not only delivers results for her clients but also creates opportunities for others. An continues to remind us that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of what matters most – it is about finding the right balance and making it work!
