Top Executive Search Experts 2025

Adam Fineberg is a serial entrepreneur, speaker, and investor known for building and scaling innovative companies in the recruiting, career services, and technology sectors. As the Founder and CEO of My Personal Recruiter, he has pioneered a reverse recruiting model that redefines how professionals navigate the job market, leveraging automation, AI, and strategic positioning to deliver faster, higher-quality career outcomes. With a track record of bootstrapping, scaling, and successfully exiting multiple ventures, Fineberg has established himself as a results-driven leader with deep expertise in sales strategy, marketing innovation, and talent acquisition. His work spans global markets, having built and managed teams across multiple countries while helping thousands of professionals and organizations achieve measurable growth. A sought-after speaker and former Forbes Business Council member, Fineberg shares actionable insights on entrepreneurship, career advancement, and the future of work. His approach combines strategic thinking, technology, and real-world execution to drive performance, unlock opportunities, and create lasting impact for individuals and businesses alike.

I serve as Chief Human Resources Officer at National Search Group, where I focus on aligning people strategy with long-term business performance. My work centers on building accountable, resilient cultures that support growth while maintaining clarity in structure, leadership expectations, and talent development. Over the years, I’ve worked closely with executive teams to strengthen performance management systems, improve workforce planning, and develop leadership capability across distributed and multicultural teams. I believe HR’s role extends beyond policies and processes. It is about designing systems that allow people to perform at their best while keeping organizations adaptable in fast-moving environments. Much of my focus is on translating strategy into practical execution. That includes refining hiring standards, strengthening retention frameworks, developing succession planning structures, and ensuring managers are equipped to lead with consistency and transparency. I’m particularly interested in how organizational clarity, accountability, and communication influence morale and long-term talent stability. I bring an operations-informed perspective to people leadership. Having worked across diverse industries and complex environments, I understand the balance between structure and flexibility, performance and culture, speed and sustainability. At its core, my work is about helping organizations build strong internal foundations because when people systems are intentional and aligned, performance follows.

CEO & Group President at National Search Group, Inc. with more than 30 years of experience in the staffing and executive search industry. I work closely with leadership teams across manufacturing and industrial sectors, advising on workforce strategy, executive hiring decisions, and organizational alignment. Having built and scaled distributed recruiting teams over decades, I focus on how leadership accountability, hiring risk, and structural decision-making shape long-term organizational performance. My perspective is grounded in practical experience navigating workforce challenges across evolving industries.

I’m the founder and managing partner of Sandymount Search, a boutique executive search firm headquartered in Portland, OR, working internationally to help companies build world-class teams. With a background in executive search and a career spanning New York, London, and now the West Coast, I’ve built a reputation as a trusted advisor, connector, and recruiter. I use my extensive professional experience and education in psychology to create a data-driven, competence-based approach to talent acquisition.I specialize in recruiting for roles at the forefront of advanced technologies—AI/ML, senior management, marketing, legal, and digital functions—across industries like consumer products, tech, finance, and renewable energy. Having worked at some of the world’s most admired companies, as well as being a former founder myself, I understand firsthand what makes a successful candidate and what it takes to build a team that can drive real impact.My passion lies in helping companies accelerate growth by identifying highly competent, culturally adept leaders who can navigate today’s evolving business landscape. I take a creative approach to finding talent, looking beyond traditional industry boundaries to uncover the people who will drive brand value and innovation. I’m also deeply committed to building diverse teams and hold a Certified Diversity Recruiter designation from ADP.Before executive search, my career was rooted in marketing, communications, brand development and B2B tech. My first job was on The Internet Daily Bulletin, with an award-winning tech publisher in London, then I moved to New York to work at Fortune magazine (Time Inc.), followed by a role as head of marketing at luxury publisher Assouline (acquired by LVMH). Later, I joined L’Oréal-owned Kiehl’s as VP of Global Communications, leading brand storytelling on a global scale. In 2009, I co-founded Omhu, a design-driven company that reimagined products for the Silver Generation—our first product is now in the Smithsonian Collection.I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and bring an innate curiosity to every search. Whether advising executives on career moves or helping businesses find transformational talent, I love making the right connections that move companies—and people—forward. Reach out to me at Susan@sandymountsearch.com for an introductory conversation.

I am a personable and organized individual with a background in psychology. I utilize my skill set in the recruiting space to build rapport and provide our clients with exceptional talent. I work hard, learn quickly, and constantly strive to accomplish my own goals and the ones set forth by my mentors. Professional/personal growth and happiness are tremendously important to me. These facets of life are akin to yin and yang - one must find a balance of each in order to succeed in both.-Bristol Associates celebrates over 55 years in business and third generation family ownership. With our tradition of excellence, we believe that 'Great Companies are Built by Great People.' To that end, Bristol conducts executive searches that will yield exceptional talent to lead your company. Our team offers responsive, personalized service to select employers and candidates. Having always prided ourselves on the importance of relationships, we bring this focus to placing the best candidates with premier organizations in the following industries: Casino Gaming; Hospitality; Hotel and Resort; Travel, Tourism, and Attraction; Facility and Concession; Restaurant and Foodservice; Food and Beverage; Healthcare; CBD; and Nonprofit. Examples of completed searches include: President, CEO, COO, CFO, CCO, GM, AGM, VP of Marketing, VP of Security & Surveillance, VP of Player Development, VP of Operations, Director of Sales, Director of Human Resources, Executive Director of Hotel Operations, Executive Director of Communications, Director of Cage & Credit, Planning and Analysis Director, Director of Purchasing, Executive Chef, Director of IT, Director of F&B, Director of Facilities, and Controller.

As the Executive Search Practice Group of Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) we have the resources and benefits of a large company (including a major international talent network), but the personalized attention and focus of a highly specialized firm. We are functional specialists focusing on finding leadership solutions to business challenges in the areas of Finance & Accounting, Information Technology, Human Resources, Sales & Marketing, Legal, and Operations across all industries. If your organization is considering a retained search effort in identifying leaders, please contact me for a confidential discussion. Robert Half Executive Search, provides recruitment of CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CIOs and CTOs as well as executive-level Financial, IT, Sales & Marketing, Legal, and HR professionals across all industry sectors. For the 4th year in a row, Robert Half Executive Search was listed in the Top 5 of Forbes list of “America’s Best Executive Search Firms.” (2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017). For additional information please visit https://www.roberthalf.com/employers/executive-search

As a dedicated Executive Search professional in the commodities industry, I specialize in connecting top talent with leading companies across Finance, Treasury, Structured Trade, and Risk Management sectors. With deep market insights and a commitment to excellence, I help organizations grow through strategic talent acquisition. Interested in discussing your hiring needs or the latest market trends? Let’s connect!” Functions: Finance, Treasury and Tax Structured & Trade Finance Risk Management - Market Risk, Credit Risk www.keplersearch.com | EA Licence no. 18S9419 | EA Personnel no. R2197703

As a Headhunter for the Oil & Energy market, I bring firsthand industry experience to my role. I started my career as a broker, where I developed a deep understanding of the market and built a strong network of contacts.My familiarity with the sector allows me to have a targeted approach to finding the best candidates for my clients, and to connect job seekers to their ideal employers.Some of my recent successes include:- Trader for a new desk- Senior Operations Manager- Global HeadI specialize in front-office roles, such as:- Traders- Operators - Analysts - Business Development ManagersHappy for coffee, ecstatic for a drink.www.keplersearch.com | EA Licence no. 18S9419 | EA Personnel no. R22111344

Passionate IT Recruiter with a knack for connecting top tech talent with exciting career opportunities! In the fast-paced world of IT recruitment, I thrive on building meaningful relationships with both candidates and clients. My mission is simple: to match exceptional talent with companies where they can truly shine. From software developers to dynamic leaders, I specialize in sourcing top-tier IT professionals who are ready to make an impact. Let's connect and explore how I can help you navigate your next career move or find the perfect addition to your team! #ITRecruiter #TechTalent

Passionate and Driven Technical Recruitment Consultant at heart. Completely addicted to golf, travel and great food. I act as the Head of Technical Recruitment in North America for EC1 Partners, a global leader within Fintech Recruitment. My focus is scaling engineering teams and technical organizations within Electronic Trading, Payments, and Enterprise Data focused organizations. I am consistently one of the top billers in EC1, and have a reputation for delivering on high visibility and high impact projects. If you are looking for a new challenge or are looking to make a strategic technical hire, please get in touch with me at bdicroce@ec1partners.com

Eleona possesses a strong background in the Cloud and Data Centre market across APAC. With a keen understanding of industry dynamics, she excels in identifying top talent to meet the unique needs of businesses in this ever-evolving sector. Her expertise lies in navigating the complexities of data center recruitment, ensuring clients benefit from her in-depth knowledge and strategic approach to executive search.EA Licence Number: 18S9419EA Personnel: R23113356

BJRC Recruiting is a boutique search firm dedicated to placing top-tier Executive, Legal & Compliance and Finance & Accounting professionals. Our service offers targeted placements for executives and mid-to-senior level professionals. Our team is comprised of former practicing lawyers, CPAs and management consultants, and as a result, we know how to find the top talent in the marketplace. We have first-hand industry knowledge, which enables us to provide in-depth insights into current market trends and up-to-date salary specifics.

I serve as a leader at MetalRecruiters, a search firm focused exclusively on the metal and steel manufacturing industries. For more than three decades, our team has partnered with manufacturers, fabricators, recyclers, and industrial organizations to help them solve complex workforce challenges across operations, engineering, leadership, and skilled trades. My experience centers on the evolving talent dynamics within steel production, metal fabrication, alloy processing, recycling, and related industrial sectors. I work closely with plant leaders, executive teams, and ownership groups to address skilled labor shortages, succession planning, and leadership development in highly technical manufacturing environments. Over the years, I’ve supported searches for general managers, plant managers, engineering leaders, quality professionals, HR executives, and industrial trades specialists including CNC programmers, machinists, welders, and maintenance technicians. This work provides firsthand visibility into workforce trends, retention challenges, and the operational impact of talent gaps. I frequently speak on topics such as skilled labor shortages, manufacturing workforce strategy, executive hiring in industrial sectors, and the long-term implications of workforce planning in metal and steel operations. My focus is helping industrial companies build resilient teams that support operational excellence, safety, and sustainable growth.

Pender & Howe is a fast-growing, investor-backed North American executive search and human capital advisory firm. We specialize across six core industry sectors, with dedicated industry experts leading search mandates in each. Our digital and data-driven approach ensures every search is executed with efficiency, precision, and deep market insights—helping our clients secure the best leaders to drive their organizations forward. As Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Pender & Howe, I launched the firm in 2019 as the retained executive search arm of another agency. After successfully spinning off, I now lead our overall strategy, driving growth and innovation in executive search. If you're looking to strengthen your leadership team—or are interested in joining ours—let’s connect!

Steven F. Bell is a senior human resources executive with leadership experience at Diamond Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, American Express, Sprint, COMSAT, and Teligent, specializing in executive compensation, employee benefits, mergers and acquisitions, union negotiations, and international workforce strategy. He served in top human resources leadership roles across hospitality, gaming, finance, telecommunications, and corporate administration, with deep expertise in designing executive compensation programs for public and private companies, including stock, stock options, MIPs, LTIPs, and performance-based incentive structures. Mr. Bell also designed self-insured employee benefits programs for large hospitality employee populations that improved service levels while reducing costs, generating more than $45 million in savings over five years through plan redesign, streamlined administration, and provider negotiations. His experience includes building employee training and retention programs, including a University of Excellence with more than 100 training modules focused on customer service, leadership development, and personal financial literacy. In addition, Mr. Bell has extensive experience in international employment, compensation, and work rules across the European Union, including pre- and post-Brexit workforce issues affecting pan-European operations. He has led human resources integration efforts for major mergers and acquisitions, including the integration of two large gaming organizations with over 100,000 employees and the integration of eight corporate acquisitions into a hospitality operating platform across U.S. and international locations. Mr. Bell has also led multiple union contract negotiations and work council negotiations across the European Union.

Founder of a tech-enabled paid job search company, which generates interviews for clients and charges $1500 per month and 10% of the year one base salary. Recently featured on WSJ, NBC, BBC, CBS, The Telegraph.

I thrive in fast-paced environments and have a proven track record of building successful teams, fostering a collaborative inclusive culture and delivering high performing results. During my tenure at ALSAC, I consistently delivered exceptional results by leveraging my comprehensive understanding of the fundraising industry and adept leadership skills. I have optimized operational efficiency, resulting in significant cost savings by implementing strategic initiatives and fostering a culture of excellence within organizations. I aim to leverage my expertise in analytics, data visualization, and critical thinking to inform decision-making and strategy development.I am confident that my track record of delivering transformative results and my dedication to operational excellence will make a significant impact in my next professional journey.