BarkerGilmore Names Senior Advisor

November 13, 2023 – Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has appointed Paulette Dodson as senior advisor. “Paulette brings a wealth of expertise to our firm,” said Bob Barker, managing partner of BarkerGilmore. “Her experience of successfully navigating complex challenges and transformations, including IPOs, acquisitions, and leadership changes, speaks volumes about her strategic acumen. Paulette’s role perfectly aligns with our mission to empower our clients with the best-in-class coaching and advisory services. We eagerly anticipate the outstanding contributions Paulette will make as a senior advisor and are excited to embark on a journey of shared success.”
With a track record of providing guidance to executive leadership and boards, Ms. Dodson’s role extends to executive coaching, succession planning, and diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting for the firm’s clients.
Ms. Dodson most recently served as general counsel and corporate secretary of Alight, Inc., a global human capital and business solutions provider. Her strategic leadership was pivotal in guiding the organization through enterprise-wide business initiatives, legal operations, and large-scale transformations. As a key advisor to the C-suite and board, Ms. Dodson led the organization through significant milestones, including an IPO, multiple acquisitions, global divestitures, and long-term outsourcing relationships.
Prior to that, Ms. Dodson served as senior vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary of PetSmart, Inc., where she guided the board and company through leadership changes and a leveraged buyout. Additionally, she led a transformative strategic review and organizational transformation of PetSmart Charities, then North America’s largest animal welfare organization. She also held various roles at Sara Lee Corporation, including general counsel, corporate secretary, and chief counsel for North America.
Ms. Dodson’s board affiliations include her appointment to the board of directors of Portillo’s Inc., a fast-casual restaurant chain known for its Chicago-style menu, as well as Trupanion, a pet insurance provider. Additionally, she has served on the board of directors of Mather since 2011, where she currently chairs the corporate governance committee and is a member of the executive committee. Ms. Dodson also contributes her expertise to the board of the United Way of Metro Chicago.
Related: BarkerGilmore Adds Former PepsiCo General Counsel as Senior Advisor
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 Search Consultants
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.
BarkerGilmore Expands Team
BarkerGilmore recently expanded with the addition of 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 Robert Barker, co-founder of BarkerGilmore. “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.”
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 Kristin Campbell as senior advisor. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Kristin to our team as a senior advisor,” said Mr. Barker. “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.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media