BarkerGilmore Appoints Senior Advisor
October 16, 2023 – Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has named Kristin Campbell as senior advisor. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Kristin to our team as a senior advisor,” said Bob Barker, managing partner of BarkerGilmore. “With her remarkable expertise in the consumer and hospitality sectors, Kristin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will undoubtedly elevate our advisory services to new heights. Kristin’s mentorship and guidance will be invaluable to general counsel seeking to excel in their roles and to corporate boards aiming to enhance their effectiveness. We are honored to have her on board and look forward to achieving great success together.”
Ms. Campbell brings knowledge and experience in the consumer and hospitality sectors to the firm’s roster of advisors. She will work closely with current and aspiring general counsel, providing mentorship and guidance to help them excel within their roles and navigate challenging situations. Ms. Campbell will also collaborate with public and private company boards, guiding them toward becoming more effective and high-performing, while also providing crisis management assistance.
Ms. Campbell most recently served as executive vice president, general counsel, and chief ESG officer of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., a Fortune 500 company and global hospitality company. With over 30 years of executive experience in the hospitality and retail sectors, she has held C-suite and leadership roles. Prior to Hilton Worldwide, Ms. Campbell spent 17 years at Staples, eventually serving as general counsel, managing global legal and compliance functions, and leading a sustainability platform. She also played a key role in the takeover of Corporate Express and conducted joint venture transactions in China and India. Ms. Campbell began her career at reputable law firms, including Goodwin Proctor and Rackemann Sawyer & Brewster. She holds board positions at The ODP Corporation f/k/a Office Depot/Office Max, a Fortune 500 company, and Regency Centers, a preeminent REIT, where she contributes her invaluable insights as a member of various committees. She also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board of the Boston University School of Hospitality Administration.
BarkerGilmore is a boutique firm specializing in executive search and selection in law and compliance. With a network of advisors and recruiters spanning the U.S., BarkerGilmore consistently places talent at leading consumer, energy, financial, healthcare, industrial, and technology companies.
Legal Recruiting Professionals
John Gilmore, co-founder and managing partner, has over 30 years of executive search experience. He has developed trusted relationships with general counsel and C-suite leaders across the country. With a profound institutional understanding of how in-house legal and compliance departments function most effectively, Mr. Gilmore has earned a reputation as one of the top executive search consultants for general counsel and chief compliance officer placements.
Inside the High Demand for General Counsel Leaders
The legal and compliance market is booming. The number of in-house lawyers and law firm partners with aspirations of becoming a general counsel is at an all-time high. Unfortunately, landing the position is a challenge. Every search has specific criteria established by the executive leadership team and board which must be met. Some of the criteria could include specific industry experience or business knowledge, a background in public company securities and governance, as well as expertise in regulatory, compliance, litigation, M&A, employment/labor law, intellectual property, government relations, leadership, career track record, law firm training, law school ranking, and the list goes on, according to Robert Barker, co-founder and managing partner of BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams.
“Keep in mind cultural fit and soft skills which cannot be found on the resume are equally important,” he said. “And diversity can play a major factor in the CEO and board’s final decision. Most are using the general counsel position as a means of adding diversity to the executive leadership team,” he added. The demand for excellence is understandable as the general counsel plays such a critical role. One wrong answer or move during the interview process can lead to immediate disqualification. “Even after an offer is made, any red flag demonstrating a lack of judgment or ethics discovered during the background investigation will lead to a retraction,” said Mr. Barker.
Mr. Barker is co-founder, managing partner, and chair of the industrial practice at BarkerGilmore. He brings over three decades of executive search and international business experience to his clients. Mr. Barker has successfully managed general counsel and chief compliance officer engagements for mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, including consumer, energy, financial, healthcare and life sciences, industrial, non-profit, technology, and private equity industries. Clients rely on Mr. Barker for advice and counseling both during and after the engagement.
BarkerGilmore also recently added Laura J. Schumacher as a senior advisor. In this position, Ms. Schumacher will provide guidance and professional development to general counsels and other executives. She brings expertise in the healthcare industry to the firm’s healthcare and life sciences practice. “We are thrilled to welcome Laura Schumacher to the BarkerGilmore team,” said Mr. Barker. “With her unparalleled expertise in healthcare and life sciences, legal, compliance, and corporate governance, Laura’s vision and leadership promise to elevate our executive coaching and advisory services. Her track record speaks volumes, and we look forward to the immense value she will bring to our clients.”
Ms. Schumacher brings over 18 years of C-suite experience, having served as an executive leader and general counsel at two Fortune 100 companies. She most recently served as the vice chairman of external affairs and chief legal officer of AbbVie.
Related: BarkerGilmore Adds Former PepsiCo General Counsel as Senior Advisor
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; and Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media