Diversified Search Fills Board Seat for PRA Group
January 28, 2019 – Diversified Search has placed Brunswick Corporation executive Danielle Brown as a member of the board of directors at Nasdaq-traded PRA Group Inc., a global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans. Mark Mulvanerty, managing director and head of the firm’s private equity practice, led the assignment.
“I am pleased to welcome Dani to PRA Group’s board of directors,” said Steve Fredrickson, executive chairman of the board of directors. “Dani brings not only her considerable technical skills, but an energy and drive that complements her impressive intellect. Dani is a proven contributor and team player that I know will make her an extremely effective board member.”
Ms. Brown is an accomplished information technology executive with over 20 years of experience in global technology services. She currently serves as chief information officer for Brunswick Corp., a global designer, manufacturer and marketer of recreation products including marine engines, boats, fitness equipment and active recreation products. Prior to joining Brunswick in 2016, Ms. Brown served for 16 years in roles of increasing responsibility with DuPont Corp., including as CIO for global business and as head of global transformation and productivity.
With more than 5,400 employees worldwide, PRA Group returns capital to banks and other creditors to help expand financial services for consumers in the Americas and Europe. The company is headquartered in Norfolk, VA.
Proven Recruiters
Headquartered in Philadelphia, Diversified Search is the largest U.S. female owned and founded firm in the executive recruitment industry. It has offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Diversified is the U.S. partner of AltoPartners, an international alliance of 58 independent executive search firms that spans 35 countries across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.
With over 17 years of experience in executive search, Mr. Mulvanerty has conducted notable engagements in the placement of corporate leaders. Serving a broad spectrum of global clients including Fortune 500, private equity firms and small/mid-cap public and private enterprises, his expertise spans industry sectors and functional disciplines, with special emphasis on general management and financial officer roles.
Luring Directors
Although boards of directors are considered the backbones of organizations, director recruiting has grown markedly more challenging, say recruiters who conduct searches in that area. According to Egon Zehnder, heightened expectations now placed on boards have elevated both the professional standards and personal commitment required of all directors.
At the same time, many boards find that the supply of independent-minded “board experienced” directors – especially those who can add vital forms of specialized skills and expertise – is limited. Such candidates are widely sought but can be hesitant to take on the intensive responsibilities now required of board service.
As a result, companies continue to turn to executive search firms to help find new board members. Most in demand are women, senior leaders with global experience, ethnically diverse professionals and Millennials.
Here’s a brief look at a small selection of search firms and their recent board work taken from the Hunt Scanlon Media newswire archives:
The Katris Group, an executive recruitment firm, has placed Catherine M. Kilbane as a member of the board of directors at Nasdaq-traded Interface Inc., a global commercial flooring company and worldwide leader in sustainability. Ms. Kilbane served as SVP, general counsel and secretary of the Sherwin Williams.
Greenwich Harbor Partners placed Eric Johnson as a member of the board of directors at the New York Pops. He is the eighth director to be placed on the Pops board by the Greenwich, CT-based search firm. The assignment was led by managing directors Carrie Pryor and Ted Pryor.
Diversified Search has recruited Betsy Atkins, Dee Dee Myers and Wendy Webb as members of the board of directors for Wynn Resorts. Wynn Resorts is pleased to welcome Betsy, Dee Dee and Wendy to its board of directors following a thorough search process that included input from shareholders and Diversified Search.
Boyden has placed Joe Guith, Matthew Wadiak and Etienne Patout as members of the board of directors at Goodwill Industries International. “After an exhaustive search, Boyden is enthusiastic about the talent that Joe, Matthew and Etienne bring to the Goodwill team,” said Alicen Blair-Sibly, a managing partner of Boyden in Atlanta.
Polachi Inc. placed Sam King and Angela Tucci as new members of the board of directors at Progress Software in Bedford, MA. Ms. King is senior vice president, general manager and chief strategy officer of Veracode, the application security business of CA Technologies. Ms. Tucci is CEO of Apto.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
