N2Growth Names Partner to Head Expansion in Australia
August 17, 2023 – N2Growth, a Philadelphia-based management consulting and executive search firm, has expanded with the appointment of Marinda Carelsen as a partner to head the firm’s expansion into Australia. She will report directly to Kelli Vukelic, CEO at N2Growth. “Marinda’s commitment to fostering transformative leadership and advancing organizational excellence aligns perfectly with N2Growth’s mission,” said Ms. Vukelic. “Her deep understanding of strategic drivers, coupled with her ability to delve into the intricacies of human nature and peak performance, will be invaluable as we continue to help our clients translate their strategies into measurable results.”
With a career spanning more than two decades, Ms. Carelsen brings to N2Growth experience in entrepreneurship, global expansion, sales and marketing, corporate strategy, and innovation consulting, specifically in the education, energy, and technology sectors. She is the founding executive director of business software company Bappo. Previously, Ms. Carelsen was CEO of co-creator.io.
In her new role at N2Growth, Ms. Carelsen will collaborate closely with boards, CEOs, and executive teams of Australia-based companies. She will facilitate top team effectiveness workshops and provide coaching to executives transitioning into C-suite roles. Moreover, leveraging insights and assessment data, Ms. Carelsen will guide boards and CEOs to make strategic decisions around governance, selection, succession, and development planning.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the N2Growth team, and I am looking forward to helping drive the firm’s expansion in Australia,” said Ms. Carelsen. “N2Growth’s reputation for leadership excellence and strategic growth aligns with my passion for empowering organizations and facilitating transformative leadership. I look forward to making a significant contribution to the firm and our clients.”
Related: N2Growth Expands to Chile
N2Growth is a global leadership consultancy with practice areas in executive search, culture shaping, leadership development, strategy, organizational design, risk, digital transformation, and executive coaching. The firm has more than 40 locations across the Americas, Europe, MENA, and APAC.
Recent Acquisition
N2Growth recently expanded its operations in Spain with the appointment of Alberto Herrero as managing partner. Headquartered in Madrid, Mr. Herrero will be responsible for the firm’s operations in Spain and neighboring countries and will report directly to Ms. Vukelic. Mr. Herrero and his team are joining N2Growth in the acquisition of Blacksmith, an executive search firm in Spain.
N2Growth Expands to Greece
N2Growth expanded to Greece with the appointment of Rebecca Pitsika as managing partner. Headquartered in Athens, Ms. Pitsika will be responsible for the firm’s operations in Greece and neighboring countries and will report directly to Kelli Vukelic, CEO of N2Growth. “I’m delighted to add Rebecca and her team to N2Growth,” said Ms. Vukelic. “With someone of her caliber, both local clients in the area and global companies working in Greece will be extraordinarily well served. Her expertise will also be leveraged worldwide in the technology, energy, and financial services industries.”
“I am so pleased to welcome our new team in Spain, led by Alberto Herrero,” said Ms. Vukelic. “Alberto has a proven track record of supporting organizations and leaders to deliver exceptional results. Furthermore, his broad business background and consulting abilities perfectly align with N2Growth’s approach to finding and developing the best leaders.”
A New Malaysian Office
In April, the firm opened a new office in Malaysia, adding Armin Effendi as managing partner for its Malaysia and South East Asia operations. Mr. Effendi, who brings over 35 years of executive and advisory experience across Asia, Europe, and North America, is widely recognized for his expertise in board and executive search, board reviews, CEO succession, executive assessment, and development.
Mr. Effendi leads the team in Malaysia to deliver results for clients and strengthen N2Growth’s presence in the region. He joined N2Growth from Korn Ferry, where he served as country chairman in Kuala Lumpur, responsible for all lines of business. Prior to that, Mr. Effendi was the managing partner and office leader for Egon Zehnder Malaysia for over 14 years. His experience also includes senior consultant roles with Bain and Company in London and Singapore, director of strategy products at Accenture, and director of consulting at KPMG. On the executive side, Mr. Effendi was the first general manager of international business development at PETRONAS, where he established the unit to lead the company’s globalization efforts in the early 1990s.
“The firm’s newest addition in Malaysia further expands the firm’s presence and capabilities to help our clients throughout Asia and worldwide, supporting the firm’s vast global network of premiere talent through retained search, executive coaching, board evaluation, and leadership assessments,” Ms. Vukelic said.
”I am thrilled to be in the N2Growth family. It’s a nimble new generation high touch – high tech firm,” said Mr. Effendi. “I look forward to helping our clients shape the future of leadership.”
Related: N2Growth Names Leader of Executive Search Operations in Southeast Asia
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
