About Us

Hanold Associates is a retained executive search firm with a focus on recruiting HR and Diversity & Inclusion leaders, and diverse Board Directors. We quickly and rigorously identify culturally aligned and distinctive leaders who will build enduring organizational capability, cultures and innovative People functions for today’s contemporary organization.

Our client list is diverse across industries, geographies and business scenarios, and culture is at the core of everything we do. Our clients include Abercrombie & Fitch, Allstate, American Airlines, Apollo, Big Ten Conference, Biogen, Blackstone, Carnival Corp., ClubCorp, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Domino’s Pizza, eBay, Electronic Arts, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Fiat-Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, Fossil, Gucci, Kellogg, Kohler, L Catterton, Live Nation Entertainment, Major League Baseball, McDonald’s, Moderna, National Football League, The New York Times, Nike, Northwestern University, Patagonia, REI, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, SC Johnson, Tom Brady’s TB12, TPG, Under Armour, Vail Resorts, Wikimedia and Zoom, among others.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Solutions And Expertise

We are passionate about building diverse, people-first organizations. “Human Resources,” “HR” or the “People” function has rapidly evolved. Today’s HR/People leaders must possess distinctive business acumen, have perspectives on the business beyond People implications and be concurrently strategic, hands-on and innovative.

We are experts in finding senior HR and diversity leaders who deliver strategic business impact. As an extension of the brands we serve, we blend the science of retained executive search with the art of understanding the important nuances of leadership attributes and how they sync with team dynamics.

Because we focus on crushing search execution―rigorous assessment, a fast process, and getting culture fit right―we are often asked to lead searches beyond HR and Diversity for other executive leaders and diverse Board Directors.

Solutions
  • Board Services
  • Executive Search
Industries
  • Consumer
  • Education
  • Energy
  • Financial Services
  • Healthcare Services
  • Industrial
  • Life Sci./Healthcare
  • Private Equity
  • Professional Services
  • Sports
  • Technology
Functions
  • Human Resources

News Briefings

Hanold Associates Taps CHRO for Millennium Trust Company

Chicago-based Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive has placed Karyn DeFalco as chief human resources officer (CHRO) for Millennium Trust Company (MTC), a leading fintech company providing retirement and investment solutions. Partners Sandra Peña, Sonia Nagra and Adam Watson led the assignment. Ms. DeFalco’s appointment follows John Samaan’s decision to step down as CHRO to pursue another

Hanold Associates Launches Retail and Luxury Goods Practice

Chicago-based Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive Search has launched a new retail and luxury goods practice and named Lisa Butkus as the practice leader. Hanold Associates has led numerous high-profile searches for members of this industry, including finding HR, diversity and other leaders for brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, Beautycounter, Dick’s Sporting Goods, JC Penney, Patagonia, Tailored Brands

Hanold Associates Recruits SVP of Total Rewards for The New York Times  

Chicago-based Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive Search has assisted in the placement of Cassandra Lammers as senior vice president, total rewards for The New York Times. Partners Kile Hanold and Mayank Parikh spearheaded the assignment for the search firm. “As we continue to promote fairness and equality at The Times, how we reward our employees —

Hanold Associates Assists American Airlines in the Recruitment of Chief People Officer

Chicago-based Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive Search has assisted in the placement of Mecole “Cole” Brown as the new chief people officer of American Airlines. The mandate was led by Jason Hanold, CEO and managing partner, and Keri Gavin, partner and global D&I practice sector leader. She will report to Elise Eberwein, executive vice president of

Press Releases

Venue Group Retains Hanold Associates for Chief People and Culture Officer Search

Venue Group, a multi-national entertainment and hospitality operator, has retained Hanold Associates for its Chief People and Culture Officer search. Hanold Associates’ Jason Hanold, Lisa Butkus and Ashley Schiele will lead the search for this critical role. Venue Group was founded by CEO Ben Lovett, serial entrepreneur and multi-award winning musician from the band Mumford & Sons, alongside his brother Greg Lovett,

Millennium Trust Company Appoints Chief HR Officer from Search by Hanold Associates

Millennium Trust Company, a leading fintech company providing retirement and investment solutions, has appointed Karyn DeFalco as Chief HR Officer. Hanold Associates‘ Sandra Pena, Sonia Nagra and Adam Watson led the search for this Chicago-based role. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, Millennium Trust Company (MTC) provides a range of comprehensive, tech-enabled solutions for employers, financial advisors, institutions and individuals. The company’s

Estyle Corp Appoints VP Human Resources from Search by Hanold Associates

Estyle Corporation, a leading manufacturer of multicultural haircare products with backing from Clarion Capital Partners, has appointed Monica Goode as VP Human Resources. Hanold Associates‘ Partners Keri Gavin and Katrina Prospero led the search for this Jacksonville, Florida based role. Estyle has been manufacturing and marketing eco-friendly hair styling products designed for multicultural consumers since its founding in 1983. With

DICK’S Sporting Goods Appoints VP Human Resources from Search by Hanold Associates

DICK’S Sporting Goods, the largest sporting goods retail company in the United States, has appointed Michael Keinath as VP Human Resources. Hanold Associates‘ Partners Keri Gavin and Lisa Butkus led the search for this Pittsburgh area role. Headquartered in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, DICK’S has 50,000 teammates across the United States. The company operates 725 of its retail sports locations, as well

Hanold Associates Launches Retail and Luxury Goods Practice, names Lisa Butkus Practice Leader

Hanold Associates HR & Diversity Executive Search has launched its Retail and Luxury Goods Practice and named Lisa Butkus as the Practice Leader. Hanold Associates has led numerous high profile searches for members of this industry, including finding HR, diversity and other leaders for brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, Beautycounter, Dick’s Sporting Goods, JC Penney, Patagonia, Tailored Brands

Multimedia

VIDEOS

Jason Hanold of Hanold Associates | Bootstrapping in America