TalentRise

About Us

TalentRise is an executive search, coaching, and leadership development firm based in Buffalo, New York. Founded in 2008, TalentRise provides flexible and customized solutions to private equity and VC-backed companies, as well as mid- and large-market employers.

TalentRise is part of Aleron Group, a global workforce and business solutions provider. With over 60 years of industry experience, Aleron’s mission is to connect people with businesses in ways that change lives. As part of Aleron Group’s shared services model, TalentRise offers access to compliance, quality, legal, HR, and marketing/communications teams—and these resources provide value-added services to support our clients.

Executive and Professional Search
TalentRise specializes in senior leadership searches from Director to C-level for organizations undergoing growth, change, or transformation. We go beyond sourcing talent—acting as ambassadors for our clients to find leaders who are the right cultural and strategic fit. Our expertise spans executive management, accounting & finance, human resources, sales & marketing, technology & digital, and strategy & operations. We help businesses acquire high-quality emerging leaders and senior executives who will make a lasting impact on organizational growth.

Coaching and Leadership Development
Our coaching and leadership development practice helps leaders do the inner work needed to lead authentically, build high-performing teams, and align with organizational values. Led by certified coaches with at least 15 years of senior leadership experience, we create transformative spaces for leaders and teams to strengthen awareness, foster deeper relationships, and drive higher performance. Our services include leadership development coaching, team coaching, leadership assessments, and our proprietary Fast Start New Leader Integration Coaching program—all grounded in neuroscience, positive psychology, and performance science methodologies.

What Makes TalentRise Different
At TalentRise, we don’t just find leaders—we build lasting partnerships that drive transformational results. Our Net Promoter Score of 87 nearly doubles the industry average of 45, placing us among the world’s most customer-centric organizations. TalentRise is built on relationships and unwavering commitment to client results. Our integrated approach combines executive search and coaching. We find exceptional leaders, then coach them through successful onboarding while strengthening the overall leadership team. Our selective approach to client partnerships enables us to build robust candidate pools and deliver exceptional outcomes. We offer full search transparency through interactive online dashboards, comprehensive leadership “fit” assessments, and 90-day Fast Start onboarding coaching to accelerate new leader productivity. With 17+ years of experience and dedicated long-standing client relationships, we walk alongside our clients toward their growth objectives, moving beyond filling roles to tackle talent challenges and enhance business performance.

Some of TalentRise’s commendations include:

· 2018, 2024, 2025 Hunt Scanlon Top Executive Search Firm

· 2021 & 2025 Hunt Scanlon Private Equity Recruiting Power 100

· 2020 Forbes Top Management Consulting Firm

Recent Placements

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Leadership

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As an Aleron company, we believe a company culture that inspires success, celebrates accomplishments, and fosters creativity is essential to the health of our own organization and the many organizations we serve. By keeping these values at the heart of all that we do, we foster a culture that leads to better work and better outcomes—for our clients, for ourselves, and for one another.

TalentRise

Solutions And Expertise

Our process-driven methodology goes beyond filling executive roles—we help organizations tackle talent challenges and enhance business performance.

What sets TalentRise apart is our commitment to excellence, strategic approach, and unwavering focus on delivering results.

Solutions
  • Executive Coaching
  • Executive Search
  • Executive Search Advisory Services
  • Fast Start Coaching
  • Interim Executive
  • Leadership Develop.
  • Organizational Development
Industries
Functions

TalentRise

News Briefings

The Idea of Cultural Fit Might Be More Myth Than Reality
The Idea of Cultural Fit Might Be More Myth Than Reality

Human resources executives and recruiters have been using the term “cultural fit” – generally defined as the ability of an employee to fit with the core beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that make up an organization – for a decade or two. The popularity of the concept has ebbed and flowed, but as an HR professional

TalentRISE Names Director of Executive Search
 TalentRISE Beth Gordon director of executive search

Chicago-based executive search firm TalentRISE has promoted search associate Beth Gordon to director of executive search. “Time and again across multiple industries, even with our toughest searches, Beth always finds a way to identify the top talent to fill critical organizational roles for our clients,” said J. James O’Malley, TalentRISE partner and executive search practice leader. “Her

Why Hire for Potential, Not Experience

Hiring experienced talent has always been a challenge. Luring talent away from rivals, and then onboarding and training them to work successfully within an organization’s parameters, can be difficult. That’s why retention rates for experienced hires at many concerns are abysmal, according to Jim O’Malley, partner and executive search practice leader at TalentRISE. These issues illuminate

TalentRISE Appoints Managing Director
Jose Martinez appointed Managing Director TalentRISE

Chicago-based executive search firm TalentRISE has expanded with the addition of Jose Martinez as managing director. “Jose brings a special skill set, deep industry knowledge and unique perspective to this critical role,” said chief executive officer Rick Gray. “His early experience as a chief information officer combined with 20-plus years of large-scale strategy and business transformation consulting to

TalentRise

Press Releases

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Multimedia

Monthly Job Market Summary
Monthly Job Market Summary – U.S. and Canada

Blogs
The Evolution of Executive Search: How TalentRise Balances AI Innovation with Human Expertise
TalentRise Successfully Places Brian Luallen as CEO of Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park
The Two Pillars of Self-Awareness: A Leader’s Guide to Authentic Growth
How Purpose-Driven Job Descriptions Attract Top Talent
9 Interview Questions to Ask Chief Legal Officer (CLO) Candidates
Navigating Finance and Accounting Talent Acquisition: Expert Insights from the Field
TalentRise Talks: Peter Petrella
TalentRise Named Top Executive Search Firm by Hunt Scanlon
TalentRise Welcomes Amy Bunch as Executive Coach to Strengthen Leadership Development Practice
Unlock Your Potential: The Power of Coaching Readiness
Top Interview Questions to Hire the Right Chief Revenue Officer
Addressing Leadership Crisis: 4 Ways to Overcome Executive Exodus
TalentRise Leadership: Pete Petrella’s Vision for Buffalo’s Future
7 Interview Questions to Ask a Chief Innovation Officer
10 Interview Questions to Ask a Vice President of Sales Candidate
Staying True to the Mission: How Women in Nonprofits Lead with Confidence
The Importance of Certified Executive Coaches
Leading Without Formal Authority: A Guide to Influencing and Inspiring
10 Interview Questions to Ask a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Candidate
Building a Purpose-Driven Culture
Top 5 Things to Do When You Step into a New Role as a Senior Leader
7 Interview Questions to Ask Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Candidates
Understanding Recruitment Fraud: How to Avoid Common Scams
Reimagining Meetings: Transforming Ineffective Meetings into Powerful Tools for Productivity
Top 4 Benefits of Executive Leadership Coaching
An Introduction to Fast Start Coaching: Onboarding Leadership Coaching
Unlocking Potential: A Deep Dive into Executive and Leadership Coaching
Executive Search and Coaching for a High-Growth E-Commerce Company
10 Questions to Ask a Chief Growth Officer (CGO) Candidate
Pain Points in Nonprofit Executive Search and How to Solve Them
6 Interview Questions to Ask a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Candidate
5 Things Employers Should Know About Improving Software Engineer Employee Retention
These Four Facets of Inspired Leadership Will Set You and Your Team Up for a Successful 2024
SpinUp, enabling ideas®, TalentRise and Viaduct join forces to power innovation and growth.
How to Prepare Your Business for Success in 2024 and Beyond
8 Interview Questions to Ask a Vice President of Sales Candidate
5 Interview Questions to Ask a Chief People Officer (CPO) Candidate
Emotionally Intelligent Leadership and Employee Retention
Why Do Companies Use Executive Search Firms?
These Four Facets of Inspired Leadership Will Set You and Your Team Up for a Successful 2024
Advancing DEI&B Initiatives: Achievements, Challenges, and Next Steps
Embracing Change: The Tug-of-War Between Remote and Onsite

To view all TalentRise blogs, please visit: https://www.talentrise.com/blog/

Salary Guides
Accounting & Finance
Engineering & Technology
Manufacturing & Logistics
Information Technology

Company Videos

How to Prepare Your Business for Success in 2024 and Beyond
Why TalentRise? With Pete Petrella
Why TalentRise? With Carl Kutsmode
How Talent Optimization Can Improve Talent Strategies and Business Performance | TalentRise
Occupation Outline for Vice President of Sales | TalentRise
Occupation Outline for Chief Revenue Officer | TalentRise