Kensington Names Equity Partner in Nod to Leadership Succession

February 10, 2020 – Oak Brook, IL-based executive search firm Kensington International Inc. has appointed Mary Jane Schermer as an equity partner. “Mary Jane is exactly the kind of person we want as a partner alongside the rest of the partners as we position the firm for leadership succession – we could not be more pleased,” said Brian Clarke, a managing partner at Kensington.
“Our firm has experienced a significant presence and success in supporting private equity clients with healthcare investments under Mary Jane’s leadership,” said Tim Bealert, equity partner with Kensington. “We are excited about the future and the impact of her continued contributions.”
Ms. Schermer joined the firm in 2012 and has been instrumental in the growth and advancement of Kensington’s private equity practice overall and specifically within the healthcare services sector. She will now play a leadership role in the overall strategic direction of the firm while continuing her responsibilities as practice leader for healthcare and life sciences. Her professional experience includes 20-plus years of retained executive search experience in healthcare services / life sciences and consumer / retail practices directing a broad range of senior-level engagements across multiple, healthcare / life sciences segments. Before joining Kensington, Ms. Schermer gained search experience with Korn Ferry and Cook Associates.
Serving Corporate and Private Equity Clients
Since 1989, Kensington International’s executive search business has conducted thousands of search engagements for corporate and private equity clients and their portfolio companies. The team has a track record of recruiting board of directors, CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CHROs as well as other top functional leaders in EPC/infrastructure, healthcare, retail, industrial/gas, oil and chemicals, private equity, financial services and consumer products.
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This past fall, Kensington sold its career transition and leadership development business operations to Keystone Partners, a founding member of Career Partners International and a portfolio company of Silver Oak Services Partners. Kensington International’s legacy talent management business consists of three separate business units: executive search, career transition and leadership development.
“We are delighted to have the impressive Kensington team join Keystone,” said Ralph Roberto, CEO of Keystone. “We were drawn to Kensington due to its position as a market leader, shared company values and impeccable reputation that characterizes the company today. This is an exciting time for both Keystone and Kensington as we continue to grow our business and expand our market opportunities.”
“This is a terrific opportunity to leverage the high-quality services and reputation of the combined Kensington/Keystone entity in the career transition and leadership development space,” said Rick George, a managing partner of Kensington International executive search and practice lead for the firm’s private equity practice. “Chicago area organizations will continue to receive outstanding service and benefit from enhanced offerings.”
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media