Kaplan Partners Recruits CHRO for Provident Bank

May 8, 2020 – Kaplan Partners, which specializes in conducting searches for C-level executives primarily in the financial services, corporate financial, private investor and technology sectors, has placed Carolyn Powell as chief human resources officer (CHRO) for Provident Bank.

Ms. Powell, who will also hold the title of executive vice president, will be based in the bank’s Iselin, N.J. headquarters. She will be responsible for the organization’s overall human resources strategy, including talent acquisition and development, compensation and benefits, employee relations and HR technology. As a member of the executive management team, she will be expected to help build an engaged, inclusive and high-performing culture. Ms. Powell will also focus on developing and refining the bank’s diversity and inclusion strategy.

2 New Recruiting Guides Focus On Adaptation, Forecasts and Recovery

The nation’s vast executive search community and their clients are quickly adapting to the new realities of Covid-19 – and what it means for hiring in 2020 and beyond.

Hunt Scanlon’s latest executive recruiting industry sector report series will be available in 30 days. Hunt Scanlon Media will offer its two-part ‘Executive Recruiting State of the Industry Report’ focused on the Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath. Part 1, ‘Adapting in Uncertain Times’ will examine how executive recruiters are resetting expectations in the midst of an unprecedented interruption to their business.

The part 2 installment, ‘Forecast & Recovery Strategies’ is our aftermath report – and provides critical data to guide your decisions and inform you on forward-thinking recovery strategies. Industry experts from across the talent and recruiting spectrum offer up their wide-ranging opinions, definitive viewpoints, and expert forecasts.

Hear from top talent experts, including: Options Group; Odgers Berndtson; ZRG; Wilton & Bain; Perrett Laver; Cejka Search; Thrive; Academic Search; Vetted Solutions; ON Partners; Versique; NPA Worldwide; Borrer Executive Search; IESF; Hightech Partners; Robin Judson Partners; Preng & Associates; Hartman Group Consulting; Cornerstone International; College Sports Solutions; Greenwich Harbor Partners; RevelOne; Human Capital Group; Slone Partners; De Forest Search; Westwood Partners; WGNinHR; Turning Point Executive Search; RSR Partners; Presidio Search Group & more! Buy Both Reports Now!

“I am pleased to welcome Carolyn to Provident,” said John Kuntz, senior executive vice president, chief administrative officer. “She understands dynamic and diverse organizations and knows what it takes to build a best-in-class organizational culture. Her expertise in establishing and transforming human resources functions will be a welcome addition as we look to attract, engage, and develop top talent.”

Strong Experience

Ms. Powell brings more than 25 years of experience in human resources and organizational strategy to the bank. Most recently, she served as vice president, human resources, with Conduent, a leading business services and solutions company with 65,000 employees worldwide. Ms. Powell has also held senior leadership roles with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of N.J., Dun & Bradstreet and ADP.

Ms. Powell holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston University. She is active in the HR community and is a certified executive coach and certified sales leadership performance coach. Ms. Powell also holds a certification as a human capital strategist from the Human Capital Institute, and a human resources certification from Fairleigh Dickinson University. In addition, she is a certified senior professional in human resources (SPHR).

Provident Bank, a community-oriented financial institution, is the wholly owned subsidiary of Provident Financial Services, Inc., which reported assets of $9.81 billion as of Dec. 31, 2019. With $7.10 billion in deposits, Provident Bank provides a comprehensive suite of financial products and services through its network of branches throughout northern and central New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. The Bank also provides fiduciary and wealth management services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Beacon Trust Company.

Respected Recruiters

Based in Philadelphia, Kaplan Partners specializes in conducting searches for C-level executives primarily in the financial services, corporate financial, private investor and technology sectors. The firm has completed numerous assignments for financial institution CEOs. Over the past year, it has recruited top leaders for financial institutions, including placing the president and chief executive officer of 1st Colonial Bancorp and its subsidiary, 1st Colonial Community Bank, in Collingswood, NJ; chief financial officer for Severn Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiary, Severn Bank, in Annapolis, MD; and CEO and president of United Bankers’ Bank (UBB) and its holding company, United Bankers’ Bancorporation Inc., in Bloomington, MN.

Alan Kaplan launched Kaplan Partners in 1994 after beginning his corporate banking career with First Pennsylvania Bank and Meritor/PSFS. Since then he has built Kaplan Partners into a nationally recognized boutique executive search and talent advisory firm. Kaplan Partners has been named five times to the Philadelphia 100 as one of the region’s fastest-growing private companies and is a member of The Philadelphia 100 Hall of Fame.

CHRO Recruiting in the News

Hunt Scanlon Media has tracked a number of CHRO search assignments over the past month. Here’s a sampling taken from the company’s daily newswire archives:

The Christopher Group (TCG) has been retained by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) to lead the organization’s chief human resources officer search. Founder and CEO Thomas Christopher, recruiting manager Kristen Pace, and senior operations manager Matthew Duda are leading the assignment. “The Christopher Group is pleased and honored to launch our second chief human resources officer search for a leading national trade association,” said Mr. Christopher. “This is a very dynamic and exciting organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. whose members include 10 of the largest hotel chains in the world.”

Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates just placed Maurice Wiggins as the first chief human resources officer of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City. Shelli Herman, president of the recruitment firm, led the assignment along with her associate, Krista Haley. “With this hire, our client was really looking for someone who put people and culture first,” said Ms. Herman. “The Whitney Museum has a long and robust history of hiring and mentoring great people who are deeply passionate about the work and enormously committed to mission.”

Hanold Associates’ Keri Gavin, Mayank Parikh, Lisa Butkus and Jason Hanold have placed former Coca-Cola Co. executive Shane Smith as CHRO of Tailored Brands. Moderna Therapeutics, a company racing to develop a vaccine for COVID-19, is also partnering with the Chicago-based search firm for multiple HR leadership searches. Hanold Associates is also partnering with Cambridge, MA-based Moderna Therapeutics on multiple human resources leadership searches. Ashley Schiele, Katrina Prospero, Kile Hanold, Sandra Peña and Mr. Hanold are leading those searches.