CAA Executive Search Recruits CEO for Vanderbilt Enterprises
June 20, 2025 – CAA Executive Search has placed Markus Schreyer as CEO of the newly created Vanderbilt Enterprises, a strategic initiative designed to advance mission-aligned ventures that generate sustainable new revenue streams and support strategic priorities. CAA Executive Search’s Dany Berghoff, Joe Becher and Jason Hanold led the search for this role based in Nashville, TN.
“Vanderbilt is committed to bold ideas and innovative approaches,” chancellor Daniel Diermeier said. “Under the leadership of Candice Storey Lee, Vanderbilt Athletics has made tremendous progress. The creation of Vanderbilt Enterprises and hiring of Markus is a strategic investment to accelerate that progress and ensure sustained success at a time when the entire college athletics landscape is shifting. This initiative is built on Vanderbilt’s unique strengths and culture of collaboration and will activate our resources to further our mission and impact.”
Mr. Schreyer brings more than 25 years of global experience in the hospitality industry, specializing in brand development, innovation, and experience design across 40 countries and 20 luxury brands. His recent leadership roles include serving as chief development officer and managing director at Proper Hospitality and as senior vice president for the Americas and global business innovation at Design Hotels Inc., a Marriott International brand. In addition to his industry accomplishments, Mr. Schreyer has served as an adjunct instructor at New York University’s School of Professional Studies and is a former faculty member at Parsons School of Design.
In his new role with Vanderbilt, Mr. Schreyer will work closely with vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director Candice Storey Lee and her team to explore new approaches that generate new financial resources to support Vanderbilt Athletics and the university’s broader ambitions. This work reflects Vanderbilt’s bold vision for the future of college athletics and will draw on a range of industry best practices, including from professional sports organizations and hospitality, and adapt them for the university setting.
“This is another exciting moment for Vanderbilt and our high aspirations, including in Athletics where we are committed to cementing our position as leaders in this new landscape,” Ms. Lee said. “Radical collaboration defines Vanderbilt’s unique approach to winning and success, and I’m thrilled to welcome Markus as a partner in this work. His expertise will help us pursue new creative and bold opportunities that support our student-athletes, our fans and the entire Vanderbilt community.”
The scope of Vanderbilt Enterprises will expand to include new ventures and partnerships that unlock the potential of the university’s resources—such as campus facilities, services and merchandising—in ways that support the academic mission and position the university for long-term growth.
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“I’m honored to join Vanderbilt at such a pivotal time,” Mr. Schreyer said. “The opportunity to build something new—grounded in mission, guided by innovation, and focused on creating meaningful value for the university—is a challenge I’m deeply energized by. I look forward to working with athletics and across the university to help bring bold ideas to life.”
Recently Formed
CAA Executive Search is a division of the world’s leading entertainment and sports agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA). The firm serves companies across sports, media, entertainment, technology, consumer brands, gaming, music, and more, as they set out to hire senior leaders across all functions. Together, the firms have completed more than 2,000 searches for its clients across industries, which include American Airlines, Apollo, a16z, A+E Networks, Acushnet, BlackRock, Blackstone, Cartier, College Football Hall of Fame, CBS, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Domino’s Pizza, eBay, Electronic Arts, Fanatics, Federal Reserve Bank of NY, Ford Motors, Ford Foundation, Gucci, Hearst, Indeed, KKR, L Catterton, Live Nation, MGM Resorts, Moderna, Nederlander, The New York Times, Nordstrom, Paramount, Patagonia, Phillips 66, Prada, Kering, Robert F Kennedy Human Rights, Riddell, Save The Children, Shore Capital, TB12, Uber, Under Armour, Vail Resorts, Walgreens, and Zoom. Founded in 2010, Hanold Associates is headquartered in Chicago, with partners located in Boston, New York, Salt Lake City, Detroit, and Phoenix.
Mr. Berghoff is a partner in the executive search division at CAA. He most recently served as head of the global sport and entertainment leadership practice at global search firm RSR Partners. His executive search experience includes C-suite and senior management executive searches for governing bodies, leagues, teams, esports properties, betting and gaming companies, media companies and agencies. Mr. Berghoff also helps clients design, structure and build peak performance organizational structures.
Mr. Becher is the global managing partner and founder of CAA Executive Search. Based in New York, he has led the growth of the business and developed a world’s leading sports and entertainment search business, having worked with more than 300 clients across five continents. His client base includes sports leagues, properties, franchises, media companies, OTT businesses, video game publishers, esports leagues and franchises, PE/VC firms, investors, agencies, health and fitness companies, betting operators, fashion businesses and music labels.
Mr. Hanold, president of CCA Executive Search, founded Hanold Associates in 2010. His client roster spans across business scenarios and includes companies that range from Fortune 100, start-ups, and founder-led, to family offices, sports leagues, and private equity. His relationships are across industries with CEOs, founders, Board directors, corporate leaders and commissioners.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
