Avant Executive Search & Talent Advisory

About Us

Avant is a female-owned, retained executive search firm and talent consultancy servicing fashion, retail, technology, and hospitality brands in the U.S., Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

One of the fastest growing firms in the search industry, Avant is built upon one simple philosophy: Ego is the enemy of great work.

With an optimized search process that allows for more meaningful up-front discovery and earlier client calibration, along with senior partners that espouse both empathy and authenticity, the firm has cultivated an experience that rejects arrogance and embraces conversation, drives collaboration and creativity, and ultimately delivers more thoughtful, uniquely relevant, talent solutions. For more information, visit https://avantsearch.com/.

Avant Executive Search & Talent Advisory

Find a Recruiter

David Barnette

Managing Partner

Sonia Prais

Managing Partner

Laurie Ryan

Managing Partner & CMO

Jenna Scheinfeld

Managing Partner

Carrie Magee

Partner, Advisory Group

Christine Morena

Partner, Advisory Group

Bonnie Morrison

Partner, Advisory Group: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Less time talking a big game. More time delivering one.
One that is grounded in long-term client relationships and close client/partner collaboration. One that is organically centered on diversity and inclusion. One that rejects arrogance and embraces conversation. An evolved experience that is uniquely equipped to meet the dynamic needs of today’s modern workplace.

Avant Executive Search & Talent Advisory

Solutions And Expertise

We know the impact a great leader can have on an organization, and we’re passionate about creating the programs and networks that enable the very best talent solutions for our clients.

Solutions

Industries

Functions

Avant Executive Search & Talent Advisory

News Briefings

How AI Is (and Isn’t) Changing Search

In boardrooms and talent discussions alike, the conversation around AI has quickly shifted from curiosity to expectation. Organizations are no longer asking whether to use AI in executive search, but how to use it responsibly and effectively. This shift is forcing firms to rethink not just their tools, but their philosophy—how they evaluate leadership, how

The Modern Board’s Evolution: Why Governance Is Becoming More Human

The role of the board is being redefined by forces that can’t be managed through compliance alone—technology acceleration, rising stakeholder expectations, cultural fragility, and constant reputational exposure. As governance moves closer to the center of strategy and long-term value creation, boards are being called to operate less like auditors and more like leadership partners, bringing

The Real Cost of a Wrong Executive Hire — and How to Steer Clear of It

Few decisions shape a company’s trajectory more than choosing the right leader at the top. Every organization knows the pain of a hire that didn’t work out, however, when that hire sits at the executive table, the cost isn’t just financial — it’s strategic, cultural, and reputational, according to a recent report from Avant Executive Search

Avant Executive Search & Talent Advisory Adds Partner

Avant Executive Search & Talent Advisory recently expanded with the addition of Kristin Fry as a partner. In her new role, she will work with managing partner Sonia Prais, focusing on expanding the firm’s executive search capabilities in the retail sector. “We are thrilled to announce that Kristin Fry has joined the Avant Executive Search

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