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 recruited former Walt Disney executive Molly Adams as the new president of Famous Footwear. The company considered both internal and external candidates. Rick Ausick, who became president in 2009, is retiring this year as part of a planned succession. He will remain actively involved in day-to-day operations during the transition. “Molly
Famous Footwear recently announced that its president, Rick Ausick, will retire this year as part of a planned succession. The company has turned to retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates to find his replacement. Mr. Ausick will remain actively involved and participate in day-to-day operations during both the search and transition. “The Caleres board of directors and its
Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates is leading the search for a new CEO for Destination Maternity in Moorestown, NJ. While the search is being completed, the company named Melissa Payner-Gregor, an independent director for the company, as interim CEO, effective immediately. Ms. Payner-Gregor succeeds Allen Weinstein, who held the interim role for four months. Mr. Weinstein took
Retail focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates has added Caroline Pill as vice president in London and Alex Montefalco as head of creative in New York. Ms. Pill will be responsible for building the firm’s global business practice with clients in Europe, Asia and the U.S. Most recently, she served as vice president of
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/