Momenta Partners Strengthens Staff with Veteran Lawyer

Momenta Partners hires Laura Westby

March 27, 2018 – Zurich-based executive search firm Momenta Partners has expanded with the addition of Laura Westby as partner. She will assist the firm in growing the advisory, executive search and ventures business globally from offices in Basel, Switzerland and Minneapolis.

Ms. Westby has more than 20 years’ experience driving commercial arrangements, strategic counsel and corporate development in deep technology sectors. She has extensive in-house and transactional experience, converging strategy and legal solutions into meaningful global business actions, and partnering with executive management teams. In addition, she has provided strategic counsel and managed complex legal operations, issues and projects across technology sectors in top-tier, billion-dollar businesses.

Previously, Ms. Westby was with Syngenta, where she was corporate counsel, associate general counsel and head of legal, intellectual and licensing. Before that, she was corporate counsel at Schlumberger focusing on their smart card and terminals business.

“It is a good sign when a business of our size needs the structural and operational skills that Laura brings to drive scale,” said Ken Foster, managing director of Momenta Partners. “It is a great sign when we are able to attract such talent as Laura to do so. I’ve had the privilege of working with her in the past, and am thrilled to have her as part of the Momenta team.”

Ms. Westby said her decision to join Momenta was twofold. “Firstly, it’s great to be working again with someone of the caliber of Ken and knowing that the team he would surround himself with would be of an equally high caliber, and wanting to be part of and contribute in a high-functioning, cross-functional team environment,” she said. “Secondly, I have a keen interest in being a growth partner for connected industries and technologies.”

Growing Search Firm

Momenta provides executive search services to the connected and digital transformation industries. It serves a wide range of clients, ranging from Fortune 500 leaders to venture-backed innovators. The firm has completed board, CEO, EVP, SVP, VP and director searches across all functions, within major vertical markets and on every continent. Its clients include Schneider Electric, Accenture, SIGFOX, Savi Technology, MiX Telematics and Eurotech Inc., among others.

Last fall, Momenta expanded into Silicon Valley with the addition of Danny Yu, who assumed the role of partner, Silicon Valley and western U.S. The firm also has locations in New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Miami, Atlanta and San Francisco.

Plucking Talent for Outside the Search Industry

A number of search firms have been looking outside of the recruiting industry as of late to find new consultants and leaders. Here’s a look at some firms that have recently tapped new talent from outside the recruiting world culled from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives.

Kirby Bates Associates recently expanded with the arrival of veteran chief nursing officer Judy Hayes as vice president of executive search and interim leadership. Ms. Hayes described her experience as a nurse leader as perfect preparation for her role at the Bala Cynwyd, PA-headquartered recruiter.

Chicago-based Quick Leonard Kieffer named Steven M. Derks as its president and CEO. He took over from Roger Quick, who now serves as vice chair. Mr. Derks brings over 25 years of executive level leadership and experience to his new role. From 2012 to 2017, he served as president and CEO of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. 

Academic Career & Executive Search expanded with the addition of Charles J. Fey, retired after a noteworthy 44-year career in student affairs and student success. He held a number of positions including: president for student engagement and success, VP for student affairs, dean of students, and more.

Odgers Berndtson added Tony Gaffney as managing partner, to lead the firm’s work with boards and CEOs in driving the strategic talent agenda. Mr. Gaffney is known for being among Canada’s most experienced business transformation executives. He was formerly CEO of Aon Hewitt, Canada and also a key member of that firm’s global executive committee.

McDermott & Bull Europe added former star field hockey player Teun de Nooijer to its sports, active lifestyle and consumer products practices. Mr. de Nooijer is one of the most celebrated and decorated field hockey players in the world. He participated in five Olympic games and won several Olympic, world, European and national titles.

Nolan Partners has expanded its U.S. operations with the addition of former sports agent Graham Boone as an associate in Los Angeles. Mr. Boone previously served as the director of basketball operations and a National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) player agent for Tandem Sports + Entertainment.

Philip Tang has joined executive search firm Witt/Kieffer as a consultant in its education practice. He has nearly 15 years of university administration experience at one of the nation’s leading universities. Mr. Tang previously served as vice provost for academic services at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

Sri named former Manchester City technical director Mike Rigg as global football advisor. He focuses on working with the firm’s growing list of football clients in North America, Europe, the U.K. and Asia. Mr. Rigg has been at the forefront of global football for more than 30 years at both youth and senior international and domestic levels.

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media

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