Brettschneider Executive Search Appoints Senior Partner
April 14, 2026 – New York City-based Brettschneider Executive Search has expanded with the addition of Joanne DeStefano as senior partner. “This is a defining milestone in the firm’s first three years that underscores its commitment to leading each search from start to finish by seasoned executives,” Brettschneider Executive Search said in a release. “DeStefano will play a pivotal role in ensuring excellence across the firm and its marquee engagements.”
“Our full team is thrilled to welcome Joanne DeStefano and I, in particular, look forward to working with her closely,” said Kim Brettschneider, founder and CEO. “She is known for her sound judgment, and has built a network of colleagues who consistently turn to her as a trusted resource. That perspective will be invaluable as we continue to support clients navigating increasingly complex decisions. Brettschneider Executive Search looks forward to the impact Joanne will have in shaping the firm’s next chapter and in helping clients secure transformational leadership.”
Ms. DeStefano most recently served as executive vice president and chief financial officer at Cornell University. Over a distinguished and loyal tenure at Cornell, she led enterprise-wide financial and administrative operations in support of one of the world’s leading research institutions. As a trusted leader through periods of significant growth, institutional change, and economic disruption, she oversaw approximately $4.3 billion in annual revenue, $15 billion in assets and 1,700 staff.
As the firm positions itself for a new period of growth, Ms. DeStefano will bring deep expertise in governance and resource allocation to Brettschneider Executive Search, known for its hands-on client engagement and rigorous candidate evaluation. Her experience will further strengthen the firm’s ability to advise boards and senior leadership on complex decisions and she will help continue to ensure the firm assesses senior talent with rigor.
Brettschneider Executive Search places high-performing presidents, vice presidents, CFOs and COOs at organizations across a wide variety of sectors. The firm’s team of senior partners are fully dedicated to collaborating with candidates and clients throughout the entirety of the search process. The firm invests in a president-level certified leadership coach for each placement for six months following the start date.
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Ms. Brettschneider conducts leadership searches across healthcare, higher education and non-profit sectors. Her team identifies transformational executive leaders using a highly communicative, efficient and tailored approach. Before starting the firm, Ms. Brettschneider oversaw higher education, academic medicine, children’s hospital, and non-profit searches at a top 15 global executive recruitment firm. She has partnered to place 200 C-suite leaders throughout her career.
Recently Completed Search
Following a comprehensive national search, Brettschneider recently assisted in the recruitment of Joy Salvador as the new executive director of the Carter Burden Network. “Joy Salvador represents the very best of Carter Burden Network’s values,” said the board of directors. “Her leadership reflects our promise to always go above—and to ensure that every older New Yorker we serve knows they belong.”
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Ms. Salvador brings to Carter Burden Network a distinguished executive background from Macy’s, Inc., where she has led complex, multi-site operations and managed $100M+ P&Ls with full accountability for strategy, financial performance, talent, and community engagement. As a senior executive overseeing a 24-site national network, she has driven organizational transformation, built inclusive and hospitality-forward cultures, and delivered sustainable growth during periods of significant uncertainty. Her experience includes leading large, diverse teams; forging high-value internal and external partnerships; collaborating with municipal agencies; and navigating regulatory and compliance requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
