Miller Black Associates Recruits Chief People Officer for Kroll Business Services

October 12, 2021 – With the coronavirus crisis disrupting the world economy, chief people officers are stepping up at businesses across the country, playing a vital role in helping organizations navigate what is looking to be an even greater challenge than the Great Recession. Executive recruiters across the business landscape report that searches for these C-suite executives will only continue to rise as the workplace transitions.

Fort Lauderdale, FL-based executive search Miller Black Associates recently placed Susan Riskin as chief people officer of Kroll Business Services. She started her new role last week and is based in the New York City headquarters. Joanna Miller led the assignment. Prior to joining Kroll, Ms. Riskin was vice president of human resources at Bitly, a global Link management platform. She was previously director of human resources at Gilt Groupe and earlier spent seven years in human resources at Bain and Company. She is a graduate of Lehigh University and earned a masters degree at Tufts University.

This fast-growing division of Kroll is a global leader in complex claims administration and legal and business solutions. The parent company, Kroll Inc., is a top provider of services and digital products related to valuation, governance, risk and transparency, with nearly 5,000 professionals in 30 countries and territories around the world.

Veteran Recruiters

Miller Black was founded in 2010 and its functional specialties include HR, finance, marketing, operations and general management, in financial services, professional services, industrial, consumer and not-for-profit. Miller Black’s services include retained executive search, talent advisory, competitive intelligence, succession planning, compensation studies, independent external referencing and executive coaching.

Ms. Miller has over 25 years of executive search experience with top-tier global search firms, including serving as a partner at Russell Reynolds Associates, Korn Ferry and Horton. In addition to her search practice, she also led a management assessment practice. Ms. Miller’s client work has mainly focused on senior positions in human resources and other corporate functions in a variety of industries including consumer products, financial services and non-profit.

Chief People Officer Recruiting

Executive search firms have been stepping up their efforts to assist companies across the nation to find new chief people officers. Here are a look at few recent searches from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:

San Diego, CA-headquartered executive search firm Bespoke Partners recently placed Kerry Unflat as chief people officer of Zipari, a modern consumer experience solution. Alex Bossetta led the assignment. “In this moment of continued growth and expansion, it’s more important than ever that we ensure our employees have what they need to succeed, inside and outside the office,” said Mark Nathan, CEO of Zipari. “With over 20 years of human resources and talent management experience – much of it with a fast-growing software company – Kerry is the perfect person for the job. We’re delighted to welcome her to the team.”

Global HR search firm Frederickson Partners has placed Estrella Parker as chief people officer at Cupertino Electric Inc. (CEI), a 67-year-old electrical engineering and construction company based in San Jose, CA. “Estrella brings to CEI the best of both worlds: a track-record of impressive business results and the ability to connect with employees in a way that drives performance and culture,” said Tom Schott, president and chief executive officer at CEI. “We can’t wait to see her broaden CEI’s employer brand to attract more people who are looking for a challenge by building – or supporting – first-of-their-kind projects across the U.S.”

Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners has been retained by the Museum of Science in Boston to lead its search for a chief people officer. Spearheading the assignment are managing director Beth Schaefer and senior search associate Josyanne Roche. “At this critical time in its history, the Museum of Science is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven leader to serve as the next chief people officer,” said Koya Partners. “The CPO comes to the Museum of Science at an exciting time under new leadership and a renewed commitment to the great opportunity for impact that institutions like the Museum of Science can have in their community and in the world.”

WGNinHR Consulting was recently retained by venture-backed Arena to fills its chief people officer role. Reporting to the CEO, the chief people officer will play a critical partnership role in the company’s growth stages and beyond. The successful candidate will be able to quickly link the business strategy to a newly developed people strategy. She or he will lead major initiatives while ensuring that the company values remain as touchstones that continuously reinforce the desired culture.