Kirk Palmer Associates

About Us

Kirk Palmer Associates is a global executive search partner to the world’s leading consumer brands. Founded in 1987, we are industry specialists with a focus on retail, fashion, beauty, and consumer companies of all sizes and stages.

No one knows this talent community better than we do. With thousands of placements to show for it, we have spent the last forty years building deep and trusted relationships with the industry’s top executives, and many consider us to be career-long advisors and friends. This depth enables us to access, assess, and reference candidates in a way no other firm can.

Our work spans a broad range of CEO and C-Suite through VP-level roles across a vast array of functions, categories, and geographies.

Our partners are recognized for delivering exceptional service, constant momentum, a disciplined process, 24/7 responsiveness, and complete transparency.

In addition to our executive search services, we play a vital role in connecting our global retail and consumer brand community through the publication of our Daily News Brief.

Our values:

Trust
The work we do changes lives. That’s why our relationships and reputation within the industry are so vital to our work. We put extraordinary care into continuously earning the trust that has been the foundation of our business for almost four decades.

Respect
The way we treat people differentiates us. We’ve built a powerful brand around the simple philosophy that everyone we engage should be treated with dignity, respect, and an appreciation for differences.

Tenacity
With hard work as our firm-wide ethos, we’re relentless about doing the right thing in the right way. We communicate constantly, we seek far beyond the obvious, we follow up tirelessly, and we hold each other to the highest standards of quality and truth-seeking throughout each step of every search.

Inclusion
We know inclusion is an action, and it doesn’t happen without intention. As part of our longstanding commitment to present the right candidates – not just the obvious ones – we continuously grow our community with diverse talent that brings a wide range of backgrounds, cultures and perspectives.

Passion
We’re more than industry experts – we’re customers, advocates, and fans. Our love of brand and the industry infuses each partnership with palpable energy and momentum from beginning to end. We adhere to the highest professional standards, and we also have fun.

Recent Placements

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Expertise With Charisma

Clients describe us as authentic, knowledgeable, and fun industry experts. Candidates say our genuine care for the people we place sets us apart.

To learn more about our full team please click here

Kirk Palmer Associates

Solutions And Expertise

We are industry specialists with a broad and deep network of relationships spanning every channel and category of retail, fashion and beauty.

We work at the intersection of people and commerce, placing leaders in brands at every stage of growth.

Solutions
  • Advisory Services
  • Assessment
  • Board Services
  • Career Services
  • Data Analy./Mrkt. Intell.
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Executive Search
  • Executive Tracker
  • Leadership Consulting
  • Leadership Develop.
  • Mgmt. Consulting
  • Onboarding
  • Org. Chart Mapping
  • Recruitment Research
  • Succession Planning
Industries
  • Consumer
  • Consumer Products
  • Consumer Services
  • Luxury
  • Private Equity
  • Restaurants
  • Retail
  • Travel, Hosp. & Leisure
  • Venture Capital
Functions
  • Board/Governance
  • Business Development
  • CEO/President
  • Communications/PR
  • Development
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Finance/Accounting
  • General Management
  • GM/Operations
  • Human Resources
  • Information/Digital
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Supply Chain

Kirk Palmer Associates

News Briefings

Kirk Palmer Associates Recruits Chief Commercial Officer for The Aspen Group

Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Rafeh Masood as chief commercial officer of The Aspen Group, one of the largest retail healthcare support organizations in the U.S. The search team consisted of Lindsay Stevens, Courtney Schluender, Brian Busse, and Sarah Basto. In his new role, Mr. Masood is responsible for brand strategy, go-to-market, patient

Kirk Palmer Associates Assists Bare Necessities with President Search

Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Salima Popatia as president of Bare Necessities, a division of Delta Galil Industries. The search was led by Dana Levine and Jennifer Riemer. “Salima is a disciplined operator who thrives in complex digital-first environments,” said Isaac Dabah, CEO of Delta Galil. “She brings the accountability and

Kirk Palmer Associates Assists BRUNT Workwear with Chief Financial and Operating Officer Search

Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Stephen Stanton as chief financial and operating officer of BRUNT Workwear. The search was led by Dana Levine, Suzannah Brown, and Jennifer Riemer. “As we head into our sixth year of business, the opportunity in front of us is bigger than ever,” said

Five Questions with MJ Scott, Incoming CEO of Kirk Palmer Associates

Kirk Palmer Associates (KPA) an independent executive search firm dedicated exclusively to retail and consumer brands, this past July appointed search industry veteran MaryJeanne (MJ) Scott as its new CEO. A seasoned leader with more than 25 years in retail and executive search, Ms. Scott brings expanded capabilities to KPA’s global operations with a focus

Kirk Palmer Associates

Press Releases

Rafeh Masood Joins The Aspen Group as Chief Commercial Officer

The Aspen Group, one of the largest retail healthcare support organizations in the U.S., has appointed Rafeh Masood as Chief Commercial Officer, responsible for brand strategy, go-to-market, patient acquisition, digital platforms, and commercial performance across TAG’s portfolio of healthcare brands, which include Aspen Dental, ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, WellNow Urgent Care, Chapter Aesthetic Studio, and

Jennifer Somer Joins A.L.C. as Chief Executive Officer

A.L.C. named Jennifer Somer as Chief Executive Officer. Somer brings over 20 years of experience to the fashion brand, with demonstrated results driving growth, transformation, and brand building across the consumer industry. She has led global brands through strategic initiatives spanning omnichannel marketplace management, digital transformation, product strategy, and brand positioning, with a focus on

Andrew McCaughan Joins Pura Vida Miami as Chief Development Officer

Pura Vida Miami, a premier wellness and lifestyle brand backed by TSG Consumer, has named Andrew McCaughan as Chief Development Officer. In this role, McCaughan is responsible for driving thoughtful expansion into new markets, strengthening development capabilities, and ensuring each new location delivers the brand’s signature hospitality experience while supporting long-term growth. Andrew brings more

Mia Young Joins Ulta Beauty as Senior Vice President of Cosmetics

Ulta Beauty named Mia Young as SVP Cosmetics, overseeing fragrance, makeup, and private label and helping to drive the company’s merchandising strategy to launch, build, scale, and globalize the most exciting brands in beauty. Young is an experienced executive with almost 20 years of experience in beauty and a deep track record of brand development.