PRESS RELEASES

Nexus Search Partners Lands Amazon, Microsoft Vet to Join Burgeoning Executive Search Practice

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Jan. 23, 2024) – Nexus Search Partners, a purpose-driven executive search and advisory firm that prioritizes inclusion, diversity and equity (ID&E) in the workplace, has announced that Sean Kelley, a former Amazon and Microsoft executive who pioneered the development of inclusive talent strategies and military veteran transition programs, will join Nexus as a senior partner. His nationally recognized expertise will elevate the firm’s robust consultative offerings across a number of verticals, including technology, consumer products, financial services, private equity and venture capital and life sciences.

Kelley joins Nexus as a cross-functional global leader who brings operational and executive-level insights to the Charlotte-based firm. As the founder of Sage&Sea Ventures, Kelley is an active angel investor and advisor for bioscience and human resources tech/talent start-ups led by diverse founders. He has deep roots as an ally and advocate for underrepresented populations, spending several years as an advisor to the CEO of the National Center for Women in Technology and as co-founder and executive director of Duke University’s Veteran Transitions Research Lab at its Fuqua School of Business.

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a distinguished Navy veteran, having served as a Navy supply corps officer and submariner from 1989 to 1995, Kelley has played a pivotal role in spearheading military affairs strategies for both Microsoft and Amazon – firsts for each company, which established both as global industry leaders.

Kelley spent 16 years with Microsoft, including leading talent acquisition for the Cloud & Enterprise division, leading global diversity programs and later spearheading the development of the Microsoft Software & Systems Academy (MSSA), a first-of-its-kind program designed to create opportunities for military veterans, reservists and their families. The MSSA program served as an innovative roadmap for today’s industry standard skill bridge programs in military veteran transition efforts. Kelley testified before the U.S. Congress about the MSSA program and his expertise in military transition programs.

Kelley’s success at Microsoft paved the way for his role as talent acquisition director at Amazon, where he built a dynamic and integrated talent systems strategy for Global Operations, leading a team of over 1,000 recruiters in 15 countries and significantly enhancing the company’s diverse talent pipelines, acquisition and integration. His teams successfully scaled new businesses like Amazon Air and Amazon Logistics, recruiting all technology teams and tens of thousands of professionals yearly to support operations. Following his role at Amazon, Kelley built an impressive leadership advisory firm, working with enterprise clients as well as pre-seed and early stage start-ups to deliver operational excellence while building healthy, human-centric teams.

“With Sean Kelley joining Nexus’ leadership team, we aren’t just gaining a senior partner with a remarkable track record,” said Nexus founder and Managing Partner Thaddeus V. Jones, “we’re gaining a dedicated ally who understands that ID&E isn’t just a box to check, but a fundamental strength to be embraced. His perspective and passion for leveling the playing field for underestimated talent – particularly veterans – and creating opportunities at the executive level align seamlessly with Nexus’ core values. There are people who care about ID&E because it’s part of their job, and then there are people who care about ID&E because it’s part of their soul – and Sean Kelley is the latter.”

In addition to a BS in economics from the U.S. Naval Academy, Kelley also holds an MS in global leadership from the University of San Diego. Driven by his passion for mentorship, collaboration and inclusive excellence, Kelley currently serves as a start-up advisor with Sage&Sea Ventures to Karat, Iterative Health, Purepost, Disclo and Guild Education, and is a national trustee of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.

“I’ve been fortunate throughout my career to be a stalwart ally for inclusive leadership and to create values-driven change with people and companies I deeply admire,” said Kelley. “When Thadd first approached me with his vision for Nexus and the very real possibility to transform executive search, I knew it was an organization – and role – I wanted to sink my teeth into. My life’s work parallels Nexus’ mission to create opportunities for diverse leaders at the executive level, and I’m excited to spark candidate-centric, systemic change in the executive search industry.”

In his position at Nexus, Kelley will continue his roles with Duke University’s Veteran Transitions Research Lab and Sage&Sea Ventures serving start-up founders and their missions while opening doors to opportunities for veterans, their families and diverse leaders.

For more information about Nexus, visit www.nexussearchpartners.com.