The Human Engine: Korn Ferry to Power the LA28 Olympic Games

LOS ANGELES – January 27, 2026 – The success of an Olympic and Paralympic Games is measured not only by the athletes on the field but by the massive, intricate organization that supports them. For the LA28 Games, the critical task of building this human engine has been entrusted to Korn Ferry, which was named a Founding Partner and the Official Talent & Organizational Consulting Partner for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Team USA.

The global consulting firm is now responsible for recruiting, onboarding, and developing the nearly 5,000-person workforce required to deliver the world’s largest sporting event. This strategic partnership moves beyond simple recruitment, tasking Korn Ferry with cultivating the leadership and high-performing teams that will define the culture of the Games.

“With millions of fans, thousands of athletes and countless volunteers, the LA28 Games will display a beautiful mosaic of people, perspectives and passion on one of the world’s most inspiring stages,” said Gary D. Burnison, CEO of Korn Ferry. “Our partnership is all about building the culture and energy that will define the Games. Simply put, we’re powering the people who power the LA28 Olympic & Paralympic Games.”

The partnership represents a significant milestone for the LA28 organizing committee, which is operating on an independently funded, non-profit model. Securing top-tier expertise for human capital management is crucial for a venture of this scale.

“The 2028 Games will celebrate human potential and achievement with moments that unite the Los Angeles community, the nation and people around the globe,” said Casey Wasserman, Chairperson and President of LA28. “Our work with Korn Ferry began nearly two years ago with the placement of Reynold Hoover as our CEO. Now, through our expanded partnership, we are building the team that will bring the LA28 Games to life and inspire the world.”

A Strategic Play on a Global Stage

Korn Ferry’s designation as a “Founding Partner” places it in the highest echelon of LA28 sponsors, alongside global giants like Google, Delta, and Comcast. This status signifies a substantial commitment, much of which will be delivered as value-in-kind services. By providing its full suite of talent and organizational consulting capabilities, Korn Ferry is effectively turning the LA28 Games into a living case study of its expertise.

For the consulting firm, the partnership is a strategic masterstroke. It provides an unparalleled platform to showcase its ability to handle complex, high-stakes organizational challenges in front of a global audience of potential clients. The firm’s dedicated Sports practice, already a leader in sports executive search and advisory services, gains a monumental credential that will be difficult for competitors to match. Successfully building the workforce for an Olympic Games serves as the ultimate validation of its methodologies in talent acquisition, leadership development, and organizational design.

Associating with the Olympic and Paralympic movement also aligns the Korn Ferry brand with universally positive values of achievement, diversity, and human potential. This high-profile engagement is expected to enhance its corporate reputation and differentiate it within the competitive global consulting market, solidifying its position as a go-to partner for organizations facing large-scale transformations.

The Monumental Task of an Olympic Workforce

The logistical challenge facing Korn Ferry is immense. The firm must assemble a temporary workforce of approximately 5,000 people, a group larger than the population of many small towns. These individuals will fill a vast array of roles, from logistics and operations to hospitality and technology, all operating under the intense pressure and scrutiny of a global mega-event.

Compounding the complexity is LA28’s commitment to a radically sustainable operational model. As the first Games since 1948 to not build any new permanent infrastructure, LA28 will rely on a network of existing, world-class venues spread across Southern California. While this approach is fiscally and environmentally responsible, it creates significant operational hurdles. The workforce must be exceptionally agile, adaptable, and flawlessly coordinated to manage events across a geographically dispersed footprint.

Korn Ferry’s role extends far beyond filling vacancies. The firm is responsible for creating rapid and effective onboarding programs to quickly integrate thousands of new hires into a cohesive unit. It must also implement leadership and professional development programs designed to forge high-performing teams capable of executing their duties under the brightest of spotlights. The success of this human capital strategy will be a decisive factor in the overall success of the LA28 Games.

More Than Just a Game: Crafting a Human Legacy

Both LA28 and Korn Ferry have emphasized that this partnership is about more than staffing an event; it's about building a lasting legacy. A core objective is to create a workforce that reflects the immense diversity of Los Angeles and the inclusive values of the Paralympic and Olympic movements. This commitment goes beyond a mission statement, as LA28 has been actively engaging with community leaders, labor representatives, and academics through dedicated working groups since 2023.

These groups are providing crucial guidance on shaping policies for local hire, creating accessible job opportunities, and ensuring that the economic benefits of the Games are distributed throughout the diverse communities of Los Angeles. Korn Ferry's recruitment and development strategy will be a primary vehicle for putting these principles into practice.

The legacy component also focuses on human capital development. The leadership and professional skills cultivated within the LA28 workforce are intended to benefit the individuals—and the region's talent pool—long after the closing ceremonies. By investing in people, the partnership aims to create a blueprint for how mega-events can serve as a catalyst for professional growth and community empowerment.

This focus on a sustainable human legacy perfectly complements the Games' sustainable infrastructure model, creating a holistic vision for an event that is both inspiring in the moment and impactful for years to come. The performance of every athlete and the experience of every fan will ultimately be enabled by the thousands of people working behind the scenes—a team whose foundation is now being meticulously built.