BrainWorks

About Us

BrainWorks is a top executive search firm with 35 years of experience partnering with organizations to build leadership teams that drive measurable results. Recognized in the Hunt Scanlon top 50, BrainWorks is an industry leader in successfully sourcing and delivering top talent across industries and functions.

Our reputation is built on our commitment to quality, speed, and results. We specialize in identifying high-impact leaders, including hard-to-reach passive talent, and consistently deliver exceptional hires with an average time-to-fill of 42 days. Our rigorous, relationship-driven approach ensures that every search is aligned not only to the role, but to the broader business strategy and long-term goals of our clients.

BrainWorks partners with leading private equity firms and their portfolio companies, serving as a trusted advisor across the investment lifecycle. We work closely with investors to identify and execute the human capital strategies most critical to achieving their investment thesis—accelerating value creation, scaling leadership teams, and positioning companies for successful exits. Our deep understanding of PE environments allows us to move with urgency while maintaining the precision required for transformational hires.

Beyond private equity, BrainWorks secures talent for publicly held and privately owned companies in Accounting & Finance, AI, Data & Analytics, Commodities, Consumer Products, Human Resources, Industrial, Legal, Medical Device, Sales & Marketing, Supply Chain & Operations, and Technology, delivering the same high standard of execution and partnership.

Another differentiator that BrainWorks offers is the ability to help C Suite Executives build their teams under them to drive business performance. All great leaders know that a great strategy is only as good as the team you have executing that strategy. Our diverse practice areas uniquely situate BrainWorks to fill the team under the leader with top talent while utilizing the same rigor, processes and 30 day timeline as we do for C-Level.

In addition to our Private Equity Practice, BrainWorks has dedicated practices in Accounting & Finance, Accounting & Finance – Interim, Analytics, Data Science & Data Governance, Commodities Technology & Trading, Consumer Products, CRM & Direct Marketing, Cybersecurity, Data & Data Insights, eCommerce, Digital Media & Entertainment, Financial Technology, Go-To-Market Search – Private Equity/Insurance and Financial Services, Human Resources, Legal, Market Research & Consumer Insights, Medical Device, Real Estate, Infrastructure and Private Investments, Sales and Marketing, Supply Chain & Operations, and Technology.

BrainWorks is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Hiring diverse employees in an environment that offers a deep sense of belonging is proven to lead to an increase in productivity, morale, customer engagement, professional satisfaction, and growth. For nearly three decades, BrainWorks has led the industry in sourcing and placing diverse talent. By harnessing proven strategies and sourcing a diverse candidate pool, BrainWorks helps businesses of all sizes find, attract, and ultimately hire talented, diverse staff.

Achievements

RECENT PLACEMENTS

BrainWorks

Solutions And Expertise

BrainWorks’ approach is time sensitive, cost-effective, and guarantees results!

Solutions
  • Executive Search
  • Interim
Industries
  • Consumer
  • Consumer Products
  • CRM
  • eCommerce
  • FinTech
  • Legal
  • Media & Entertainment
  • Medical Devices
  • Private Banking
  • Private Equity
  • Real Estate
  • Supply Chain
  • Technology
Functions
  • Business Development
  • CEO/President
  • Data/Analytics
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Finance/Accounting
  • General Management
  • GM/Operations
  • Human Resources
  • Information/Digital
  • Invest. Mgmt./Banking
  • Manufacturing
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Supply Chain

BrainWorks

News Briefings

Human Capital Moves to the Center of Private Equity Value Creation

Private equity firms are placing increasing emphasis on leadership as a primary driver of value creation, reshaping how talent is evaluated and deployed across portfolio companies. The role of human capital has moved beyond support function status to become a central component of investment strategy and execution. As a result, firms are adopting more structured,

BrainWorks Names Leader of Consumer Packaged Goods Practice

Warren, NJ-based executive search firm BrainWorks has appointed Jordan Kaliher will lead its consumer packaged goods (CPG) practice, succeeding company founder Andy Miller, who has guided the practice since its inception more than three decades ago. He will shift his full time focus to CEO. “Jordan’s appointment marks a natural next chapter for the practice,” the firm said

The Key Gaps in Hiring for AI

Artificial intelligence is progressing more quickly than most organizations can keep pace with. From predictive analytics to generative models, companies everywhere are racing to establish their AI strategies. But while many are investing heavily in data, technology, and infrastructure, one critical piece of the equation is being overlooked: the human one, according to a recent

BrainWorks Appoints Vice Presidents

Warren, NJ-based executive search firm BrainWorks has named Kelly Maslow as sales & marketing practice leader, and Bowen Knarr, interim accounting & finance practice leader, as vice presidents. “This strategic move reflects not only their individual achievements but also the significant influence they’ve had across the entire BrainWorks organization,” the search firm said. “The decision to elevate a

BrainWorks

Press Releases

Jordan Kaliher to Lead BrainWorks’ CPG Practice, Succeeding Founder Andy Miller

BrainWorks, a Hunt Scanlon top 50 executive search firm, has announced that Jordan Kaliher will lead the firm’s Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) practice, succeeding company founder Andy Miller, who has guided the practice since its inception more than three decades ago and will shift his full time focus to CEO.   The CPG practice holds a unique place in the firm’s

Jax Willey of BrainWorks Facilitates Josh Pang as President of Mack Molding’s Northern Division.

May 2024 – BrainWorks, renowned for its personalized approach to executive searches, is delighted to announce Practice Leader Jax Willey’s instrumental role in Mack Moldings appointing Josh Pang as President of their Northern Division. This partnership stands as a testament to BrainWorks’ unwavering commitment to uniting exceptional talent with forward-thinking organizations. Mack Molding, a powerhouse

BrainWorks Facilitates Key Placement at Wedbush Securities

November, 2023 – BrainWorks, a leading boutique executive search firm, announced the successful placement of Heather Middleton as the Vice President of Regulatory and Litigation counsel at Wedbush Securities, a renowned financial services firm with a legacy dating back to 1955. Heather Middleton brings over 15 years of experience in traditional law settings, specializing in

BrainWorks Completes CFO Search for RightCrowd

October 20, 2023 – Warren, NJ-based executive search firm BrainWorks has assisted in the recruitment of Catherine O’Brien as the new CFO of RightCrowd. Todd Shiner, VP, partner – accounting and finance, private equity PortCo. search for BrainWorks, and his team led the search for RightCrowd. Ms. O’Brien has experience in partnering with private equity firms, conducting M&A transactions, leading growth

BrainWorks Facilitates Key Placement of Todd Berkland as Chief Development Officer at Visterra Landscape Group, Backed by Trinity Hunt Partners

August, 2023 – BrainWorks, a prominent boutique executive search firm, announced its instrumental role in the appointment of Todd Berkland as chief development officer at Visterra Landscape Group, a platform created by Trinity Hunt Partners. This significant placement highlights BrainWorks’ dedication to connecting exceptional professionals with thriving organizations. Visterra Landscape Group, a platform initiated by