N2Growth Names Partners

January 12, 2024 – N2Growth, a Philadelphia-based management consulting and executive search firm, has appointed Chris Fryer and Robert Meara as partners. They will report directly to CEO Kelli Vukelic. “This significant addition aligns with N2Growth’s mission of empowering leaders to achieve next-level growth,” said Ms. Vukelic. “Both Chris and Robby embody the values and expertise N2Growth stands for. Their collective experience and unique perspectives will undoubtedly enhance our ability to both serve our clients globally and disrupt our industry.”

Mr. Fryer has over 30 years of executive search and recruiting experience to his clients in the industrial, manufacturing, medical device, healthcare and financial services industries. He has executed many searches from C-level down to select strategic VP positions in a number of general management and functional disciplines, including – board, CEO, CFO, COO, business unit president, chief marketing officer, chief growth officer, chief strategy officer, general counsel, SVP-global operations/supply chain, vice president-sales and other key leadership roles. Mr. Fryer previously served in various positions with Quantum Executive Search, Korn Ferry, and Odgers Berndtson.

Mr. Meara brings a blend of strategy consulting and executive search expertise. Before joining N2Growth, he worked as an associate, senior associate and principal within Korn Ferry and Spencer Stuart. During these tenures, Mr. Meara worked at the intersection of industrial, healthcare, consumer, and technology practices to develop a specialization in B2B distribution and services roles (across products and sectors). Typical assignments include CEO, COO, and division president/vice president & general manager roles covering full P&L leadership, and he has also developed functional expertise in commercial and marketing leadership roles, including CCO, CMO, or equivalent positions.

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 Growth

The past year, N2Growth has experienced a wave of growth. The firm opened a new office in Turkey, cementing the firm’s footprint in EMEA and underscoring its ongoing commitment to global reach and diversity. Sevda Ozsonmez has been named as managing partner of the new location, representing N2Growth in Turkey. “Sevda’s vast experience in the financial sector, coupled with her strategic insights into business operations, makes her the perfect fit for our expansion plans in Turkey,” said Ms. Vukelic. “Her unique investor style approach and deep familiarity with the C-suite landscape of Turkey’s listed companies will be a significant asset in driving N2Growth’s success in the region.”

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.”

N2Growth also 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.

Related: N2Growth Expands to Chile

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media

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