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.
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
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.
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Franco Savastano as president and CEO of Canadian luxury retailer Holt Renfrew. The search was led by Kyle Rudy. He succeeds Sebastian Picardo, who stepped down effective September 30, 2025, after five years at the helm. The appointment is expected to usher in a new
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has placed Trish Donnelly as division chief executive officer of Chico’s FAS, the women’s wear retailer owned by the KnitWell Group. The search was led by managing director, Jaimee Marshall. Ms. Donnelly will oversee all product and customer-facing functions for the Chico’s, Soma and White House Black Market brands,
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has recruited Jesica Duarte as executive vice president and chief commercial officer of PetSmart. Dana Levine, Suzannah Brown, and Jennifer Riemer led the assignment. “Jesica is a strategic and growth-minded leader, with an impressive career tenure working across successful retail brands,” said Ken Hicks, president and CEO of PetSmart. “She has
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has placed Randy Greben as chief financial officer of Fossil Group. The search was led by Kyle Rudy, Karen Ouchterloney, and Kerry Scott. He replaces Andrew Skobe, interim CFO. The appointment reinforces Fossil Group’s continued commitment to building its leadership team to drive long-term profitable growth. “We are thrilled to welcome
Sporting goods manufacturer Escalade Sports has named Armin Boehm as Chief Executive Officer & President. Boehm is a veteran in the sporting goods industry with over three decades of global leadership experience at top brands spanning three continents. He most recently served as Chief Commercial Officer at Gibson Brands, where he led its omnichannel transformation
Washable rug company Ruggable has appointed Nicole Otto as its new Chief Executive Officer. Otto will lead the high-growth company as it rapidly expands its business and continues to grow brand awareness. Otto is a retail, operations, brand, and tech executive with nearly three decades of leadership experience. She most recently served as Global Brand
Travel retailer DFS Group has named Malissa Akay as its new Global President Merchandising & Marketing. Akay is a seasoned fashion executive with over two decades of experience in merchandising, product, and business strategy. Akay is a DFS alum, initially spending over 13 years at the company holding a variety of senior positions. Most recently,
Activewear brand Lululemon has appointed Angie Yeh as its new Vice President of eCommerce, China. Yeh has held eCommerce and marketing leadership roles at several luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Shiseido. Most recently, Yeh was with Gucci, where she served as SVP of Digital Business, Greater China. Congratulations, all!
Kirk Palmer’s Daily News Brief
Thought Leadership
The Executive Formula for Scaling a Founder-Led Beauty Brand
4 Critical Challenges to Attracting Top Executive Talent in China
How Hospitality is Reshaping Luxury Retail Leadership
Weighting Prior Experience in the CEO Selection Process
What It Takes to Be a Beauty Leader Amid the Global Disruption
Why Attempts to Hire Diverse Executives Fail
What PE Firms Look for in Hiring Retail Leaders
The Talent Next Door: Hiring Executives from Neighboring Industries
Who to Hire for New Chief Roles
The Founder’s Guide to Hiring a CEO
Media Coverage
Brands Are Turning to Chief Product Officers To Reignite Innovation
How Retail Leaders Should Approach Their Careers This Year
What’s Driving Footwear’s Recent Leadership Shuffle?
Do Board Rooms Reflect China’s Importance?
Fashion’s Evolving CEO Profile
Latest Insights on the Industry:
kirkpalmer.com/insights/perspectives/