Kestria Names Americas Practice Leader for its Technology Practice Group
August 1, 2022 – Kestria, formerly known as IRC Global Executive Search Partners, has appointed Travis Hann of Kestria Canada and USA, as the Americas practice leader for its technology practice group. “Kestria helps identify effective technology leaders who act as catalysts to enable quantum business growth,” said Gurdeep Hora, global technology practice leader, Kestria India. “We are constantly enhancing our capabilities and range of services across the globe. We are delighted to welcome Travis Hann, who is an experienced, technology-savvy executive search leader to this critical practice group. With his support, we will be able to further strengthen our connection with global technology experts and build and enhance support to global clients in the Americas.”
Mr. Hann is co-founder of Pender & Howe’s North American operations where he primarily focuses on supporting technology & software businesses in identifying world class leadership talent. Pender & Howe Executive Search is a boutique executive search firm with offices in Toronto, Montreal, New York, Edmonton, Vancouver, and San Francisco. The firm has more than 30 years of combined experience in leadership advisory and executive search. Pender & Howe focuses on collaborating with governing boards and CEOs in identifying world class executive leaders. It provides leadership solutions that encompass venture capital firms, private equity, new technologies, emerging sectors, as well as board advisory positions. Its clients range from pre-seed start-ups and VC-backed disrupters to global public companies. Its specialties include executive search, CEO search, leadership strategy, succession planning, executive assessment, talent management, executive recruiting, culture transformation, board services, and digital transformation.
“I am thrilled to be taking on the Americas regional leader role for Kestria’s technology practice,” said Mr. Hann. “There continue to be many compelling opportunities for us to enhance our collaboration with international technology innovators, expanding beyond their domestic markets and now more than ever these companies need an efficient and consistent search approach to support them in volatile times, globally. That is what we provide at Kestria.”
Kestria added Pender & Howe as a member firm in June. “We are thrilled to represent Kestria in Canada and the USA, and we are committed to fulfilling the alliance’s mission of providing first-class executive search services wherever you are in the world, with our efforts in Canada and the USA,” said Mr. Hann. “We are confident this will be a mutually beneficial partnership for many years to come.”
“It is exciting for all of us in the Kestria alliance to welcome our new like-minded colleagues Glenn Lesko, Travis Hann, Céline Chabée, and their team,” said Stepan Motejzik, alliance director at Kestria. “Their deep expertise in the North American market will significantly enhance our ability to meet client needs and serve as trusted advisors empowering businesses within the region and globally.”
Kestria has partners in over 80 cities across Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The consortium has completed more than 30,000 assignments for more than 3,000 clients in virtually every industry segment and function, according to the firm. Kestria has completed over 40,000 searches for over 4,000 clients, serving everyone from start-ups to major global players.
New Executive Board
Kestria recently elected a new executive board. The board consists of the following members: Rania Abdalla, Tom Berray, Michael Kantel, Katerina Meimaroglou, and Rohan Carr (IRC Australia), IRC executive board president. Ms. Meimaroglou, the managing partner of IRC Greece (MEIHUNT, corporate talent management), has been elected as a new IRC executive board member.
Kestria is present in over 45 countries on six continents. More than 50 percent of its partner firms are led by females. IRC consultants speak 41 languages and represent 50-plus nationalities. “We are delighted that Katerina will join and strength our already talented board,” said Mr. Carr, president of Kestria. “She will bring a new and unique perspective and we look forward to her contribution.”
Ms. Meimaroglou focuses on executive search at the senior level, especially in FMCG, pharma, and retail industries. Before establishing her own company, she was a partner of Cornerstone International Group. She brings corporate experience in HR management from multinational organizations such as the Coca-Cola Co., where she worked for almost six years in HR regional and marketing manager roles across Greece, Cyprus, and Malta. Prior to that, she worked for British Petroleum as HR advisor.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
