ECA Partners

ABOUT US

ECA Partners is an evidence-based executive search and flexible talent firm specializing in private equity firms and PE-backed portfolio companies. ECA helps investors, boards and management teams recruit leaders who can execute value-creation plans across growth, transformation, operational improvement, M&A and post-acquisition integration.
Retained Executive Search | Interim & Fractional Executives | On-Demand Consultants
We work across private equity, healthcare and life sciences, business services, industrials, manufacturing & natural resources, consumer and retail, technology, and financial services.
Searches span CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CHROs, operating partners, portfolio operations leaders, finance and accounting executives, M&A and corporate development leaders, strategy and transformation executives, technology leaders, and sales/GTM leaders.
ECA combines an evidence-based recruiting methodology with our proprietary CASCADE talent management platform. We have conducted 4000+ searches for 1000+ clients.
Locations: Los Angeles | New York | Dallas | Chicago | Phoenix

Recent Placements

ECA Partners

Solutions and Expertise

ECA is a specialized project staffing and executive search firm focused on private equity and PE portfolio companies. We provide our clients with the very best talent in strategy, finance, and operations roles to execute their value creation plans.

Solutions
  • Advisory Services
  • Data Analy./Mrkt. Intell.
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Executive Search
  • Interim
  • Leadership Consulting
  • Mgmt. Consulting
  • On-Demand Recruiting
  • Temporary Staffing
Industries
  • Advertising/Marketing
  • Aerospace/Defense
  • Agriculture
  • Asset Management
  • Automotive
  • Biotechnology
  • Business Services
  • Chemicals
  • Clean Tech./Sustain.
  • Clinical Research
  • Cloud Based
  • Commercial Banking
  • Communications
  • Construction
  • Consulting
  • Consumer
  • Consumer Products
  • Consumer Services
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data & Analytics
  • Devices
  • Energy
  • Engineering & Archit.
  • Family Offices
  • Financial Services
  • FinTech
  • FinTech
  • Global Markets
  • Healthcare Services
  • Hedge Funds
  • High Tech
  • Industrial
  • Industrial Products
  • Insurance
  • Internet
  • Investment Banking
  • Investment Mgmt.
  • Legal/Compliance
  • Life Sci./Healthcare
  • Luxury
  • Machine Learning
  • Manufacturing
  • Manufacturing and Retail
  • Media & Entertainment
  • Medical
  • Medical Devices
  • Mobile
  • Natural Resources
  • Oil & Gas
  • Payments/Processes
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Portfolio Companies
  • Private Banking
  • Private Equity
  • Private Equity
  • Private Equity Backed Companies
  • Professional Services
  • Quantitative Finance
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants
  • Retail
  • Software
  • Sovereign Wealth
  • Sports
  • Supply Chain
  • Technology
  • Trade Finance
  • Transportation
  • Travel, Hosp. & Leisure
  • Utilities
  • Venture Capital
  • Wealth Management
Functions
  • Business Development
  • C-Level
  • C-Suite
  • CEO
  • CEO/President
  • CFO
  • COO
  • Corporate Development
  • Data/Analytics
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Finance/Accounting
  • General Management
  • GM/Operations
  • Human Resources
  • Information/Digital
  • Invest. Mgmt./Banking
  • Investor Relations
  • Manufacturing
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Medical/Clinical
  • Operating Partner
  • Operations
  • Private Equity Portfolio Operations
  • Research & Develop.
  • Risk Management
  • Strategy & Corporate Development
  • Supply Chain
  • Technology Leadership

ECA Partners

News Briefings

ECA Partners Names Leader of Value Creation Practice

Santa Monica, CA-based search firm ECA Partners has named Dan Baker to director, value creation practice. “Dan’s promotion reflects his outstanding contributions to our clients and his intimate familiarity with the top value creation talent in the private equity ecosystem,” said Ken Kanara, CEO of ECA Partners. “His diverse background in law, economics, and public policy brings

ECA Partners Expands Search Staff

Santa Monica, CA-based search firm ECA Partners has expanded with the addition of Robert Meara as senior director of industrials, distribution and services. “Bringing on Robby this year will continue to strengthen ECA’s presence within the Industrials and B2B services sectors,” said Burton Francis, managing director at ECA Partners. “We’re excited to see Robby drive new relationships

ECA Partners Adds Private Equity and Financial Services Expertise

Santa Monica, CA-based search firm ECA Partners has expanded with the addition of Evan Markgraf as senior director. The search firm notes that this strategic addition further strengthens ECA’s capabilities in serving private equity firms and their portfolio companies. “Evan’s extensive CFO network and recruiting expertise has strengthened ECA’s ability to meet the growing needs of

Why Every Private Equity Portco CEO Needs a Chief of Staff

The role of a chief of staff has evolved from its origins in the military and government to become a pivotal position in the corporate world. Initially coined by McKinsey for the U.S. government, the chief of staff role has transitioned into the private sector, proving particularly invaluable in private equity portfolio companies (portcos). For

ECA Partners

Press Releases

ECA Partners Welcomes Robert Meara as Senior Director, Strengthening Its Executive Search Capabilities

Santa Monica, November 5, 2024 – ECA Partners, a leading executive search firm renowned for its data-driven recruitment process, today announced the addition of Robert (Robby) Meara as Senior Director of Industrials, Distribution & Services. This strategic hire further reinforces ECA’s commitment to providing top-tier talent solutions for private equity firms and their portfolio companies.

ECA Partners Welcomes Evan Markgraf as Senior Director, Enhancing Private Equity and Financial Services Expertise

Santa Monica, October 1, 2024 – ECA Partners, a leading executive search firm known for its data-driven approach to talent acquisition, recently announced the appointment of Evan Markgraf as Senior Director. This strategic addition further strengthens ECA’s capabilities in serving private equity firms and their portfolio companies. Evan Markgraf joins ECA Partners with over a

ECA Partners Elevates Four Ph.D. Experts, Re-enforcing Data-Driven Approach In Executive Search

Santa Monica. September 4, 2024 – ECA Partners, a leading executive search firm known for its pioneering data-driven recruitment process, announced today the promotion of four key team members, further solidifying its reputation as a leader in executive search for private equity and their portfolio companies. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, ECA Partners is an

ECA Partners Adds Natasha Bunten as Senior Director

SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 9, 2024 – ECA Partners, a Santa Monica-based executive search firm, announced the appointment of Natasha Bunten as a senior director. Natasha, with her distinguished career in private equity and sales operations, brings valuable expertise to this vital role. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, ECA Partners is an innovative tech-enabled executive

ECA Partners

MULTIMEDIA

Open Role Video Series
Open Role: Head of Product, Growing Behavioral Health Training Company
Open Role: Head of Marketing, Growing Behavioral Health Training Company
Open role: Sr. Director, Home Care, PE-Backed Health Tech Platform
Open Role: Executive Director of Operations, Mental Health Clinic Network
Open Role: Manager, Market & Company Research, Private Equity Firm

Case Studies
Interim Chief Financial Officer – PE-Backed Uniform Distribution Company
Due Diligence Consultant – Middle Market PE Firm
Interim Controller – PE-Backed HVAC Contractor & Service Provider
IT Strategy Consultant – PE-Backed Manufacturing Company
PMO / PMI Consultant – PE-Backed Business Services Company

To see more, ECA Partners’ Case Studies, please view: https://www.eca-partners.com/case-studies/ 

Insights
What is a Search Fund? A Guide to Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition
The Top 5 HR Search Firms: A Comparison
What is a Chief Transformation Officer?
What is an Interim CHRO: A Comprehensive Guide to Hiring
Fractional COO: A Comprehensive Hiring Guide
Private Equity Outlook 2025: A Promising Landscape for Multisite Healthcare Providers and Leadership Talent
Virtual CFO Services: Industry Leading Advisors and Financial Leaders
Stitched Up with Private Equity: Understanding Value Creation in Fashion and Specialty Retail Acquisitions
The Rise of Fractional M&A Services
A Guide to Fractional CFO Services in 2025
Top 5 CFO Search Firms: A Comprehensive Comparison

To view all recent ECA Partners’ insights, please view: https://www.eca-partners.com/eca-insights/

Podcast – Beyond Consulting
74: From Consulting to PE-Backed Healthcare Operations Software
73: From Consulting to Life Science Software
72: From Consulting to Insurance
71: From Investment Banking to Manufacturing

To view all ECA Partners’ “Beyond Consulting” podcasts, please visit: https://eca-partners.com/beyond-consulting/

Podcast – Not So Private Equity
Season 2 Episode 13: Where PE-Backed GTM Meets AI
Season 2 Episode 12: Ralph Shayne – Altamont Capital Partners
Season 2 Episode 11: Beyond the Numbers: How a COO Drives Real Value in PE-Backed Companies

To view all ECA Partners’ “Not so Private Equity” podcasts, please visit: https://eca-partners.com/not-so-private-equity/