DHR International Launches Commercial Growth Practice
November 13, 2020 – Chicago-based search firm DHR International has launched a commercial growth practice, designed to drive a company’s competitive edge through the delivery of transformational, growth-oriented leaders in revenue-focused roles across marketing, sales, and strategy. “At a time of unprecedented disruption, corporations across industries are challenged with uncovering innovative ways to create value and sustain growth in a changing business climate,” said the search firm.
DHR’s new practice was formed with the understanding that alignment of marketing, sales and strategy is critical to an organization’s success. “A focus on revenue generation and transformation is always critical, but especially in the current economic environment,” said CEO Geoff Hoffmann. “Commercial growth roles are receiving even more attention by C-level decision makers as they prepare their businesses to meet current and future challenges, and we’re pleased to bring the high-impact leaders who can meet those challenges head-on.”
DHR’s commercial growth practice connects companies with professionals from vice president to C-level and their direct reports and can provide just one leader or build out a team across and within marketing, digital, e-commerce, sales, commercial, and strategy.
“Forward-looking companies are strengthening commercial growth efforts with agile executives who can engage customers and translate that into revenue,” said Christine DeYoung, managing partner of the new practice. “Our proven team of executive search partners immerse themselves directly to understand a client’s business and advise them on the role and leader that will help them meet their growth goals.”
Mr. DeYoung, who is also a leader of the private equity and consumer practice groups at DHR, has marketing and brand management experience within both public and private-equity owned businesses. She leads assignments across growth-oriented, C-level roles as well as presidents, general managers and leaders of commercial functions (such as marketing, ecommerce and strategy).
In addition to Ms. DeYoung, the commercial growth practice includes Jennifer Carroll Finger, Kristi LeBlanc, Pravesh Mehra and Marcey Rubin Stamas. The team brings expertise executing commercial growth searches across global regions and business sectors for both public and private companies.
Since 1989, DHR International has been a leading, privately held provider of executive search solutions with more than 50 wholly-owned offices spanning the globe. DHR’s consultants specialize in all industries and functions, providing senior-level executive search, management assessment and succession planning services tailored to the qualities and specifications of its client base.
Recent Growth
In September, DHR opened a new office in Miami with the addition of Lizette Ibarra as managing partner. She became a member of the industrial, consumer and retail practice groups and will help strengthen the firm’s presence in Latin America. With over 20 years of progressive experience in recruiting and talent acquisition, Ms. Ibarra has occupied strategic positions in human capital for multinational companies Eastman Kodak Company and Johnson & Johnson.
In June, DHR named Rob Tillman as managing partner of its global financial officer practice. He also serves as a key leader in the firm’s private equity and advanced technology practices and will work closely with DHR’s advisory services team, Elevate Partners. Mr. Tillman has served with three of the largest executive search firms and led two recruiting boutiques. He is specialized in recruiting C-level executives, having conducted more than 300 chief financial officers and chief information officers over three decades, according to the firm.
Earlier this year, DHR added John Hesse as managing partner focusing in corporate affairs. DHR said that the practice will “focus on identifying skilled communications professionals who anticipate challenges and employ smart, strategic plans to advance the mission of clients by communicating with, engaging, influencing and managing external audiences.”
Mr. Hesse has a thorough understanding of the multi-faceted external communications function and deep connections to the highest skilled communicators and budding talent around the world. Prior to joining DHR, Mr. Hesse served as the government and public affairs practice leader for The McCormick Group, working on retained searches for lobbyists, government relations and public affairs professionals for corporations, associations, law firms and consulting firms, as well as state, federal and international government affairs opportunities.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media