Odgers Berndtson Appoints Head of Ottawa Office

Odgers Berndtson Appoints Susannah Crabtree Head of Ottawa Office

November 27, 2017 – Ottawa is home to many world-class institutions that are experiencing profound organizational transformation driven by technology and demographic change. With nearly a third of Ottawa’s workforce at retirement age and an accelerating rate of executive retirements, succession planning to identify and develop the next generation of leaders is critical to the strategic plan for many, if not all, organizations.

To help client companies meet these challenges, executive search firm Odgers Berndtson has added Susannah Crabtree as partner and head of its Ottawa office. With deep expertise in human resources and talent consulting, she will drive the firm’s continued growth in Ottawa, which has more than doubled over the last two years.

Ms. Crabtree specializes in the recruitment of senior executives in the Ottawa market, with a focus on the public and not-for-profit sectors. She is also a key member of Odgers Berndtson’s leadership practice, helping clients assess and develop their leadership teams, succession plans and high-potential talent.

“We are thrilled to have such an accomplished and capable leader heading up our Ottawa office,” said Carl Lovas, chairman of Odgers Berndtson in Canada. “Susannah’s extensive experience in working with organizations to help them develop and optimize their talent strategies will be key to helping our clients compete and grow in these challenging times. She brings a fresh, dynamic perspective to the search industry.”

Ms. Crabtree previously served as Ottawa office leader for Mercer Canada. Before that, she held various senior roles with Aon Hewitt in Toronto and the U.K. An active volunteer in the community, she currently sits on the board of directors for the Ottawa YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region and the committee for the Royal Ottawa Inspiration Gala.

“I’m really excited to be joining a forward-looking firm that understands that talent is a top priority for all organizations,” said Ms. Crabtree. “I like the way Odgers Berndtson helps clients identify and address their leadership challenges through a range of customized services – from the recruitment of top C-suite leaders and interim executives through to the assessment and development of leaders and their teams.”


Hunt Scanlon Top 50 Recruiters
Hunt Scanlon presents the 50 top U.S./Americas search firms — ranging from the largest recruiting and talent leadership solutions providers to the leading boutique specialists that dominate the list this year.

Top 50

Expansion Wave

Odgers Berndtson has seen a wave of growth this year. Recently, it acquired the former Boyden licensee in Washington, D.C., adding five people to the firm, including Tim McNamara and Derek Wilkinson, former Boyden partners with more than 45 years’ combined management consulting and recruiting experience. Judy Whitaker, Diana Farmer and Kelly Crittenden, also from the Boyden licensee, will be joining the Washington, D.C. office. Allen Reed, a partner in Odgers Berndtson’s healthcare & life sciences practice, is now based in the new office as well, along with Richard Modecki, a principal in the technology and aerospace & defense sector.

In September, the firm opened a new office in Washington, D.C. when it acquired the former Boyden licensee in the region. The acquisition added five people to the firm, including Tim McNamara and Derek Wilkinson, former Boyden partners with more than 45 years’ combined management consulting and recruiting experience.

In July, Odgers opened an office in Minneapolis and added three search professionals:  Ron Woessner, Chris Fryer and Shawn Woessner. Mr. Woessner began his search career as founder and CEO of Woessner & Associates in 1983.  In 2010, he merged his practice into DHR International, where he served as global leader of its chief financial officer practice. He then joined Allen Austin, where he served as managing partner, global financial officer practice. Mr. Fryer previously served as managing partner of the industrial practice at Allen Austin. Mr. Woessner, who is head of U.S. finance for Odgers, had been a managing partner at Allen Austin, where he was responsible for the firm’s global financial officer practice.

In May, the firm added Lisa Hooker as a partner and Dr. Jessica French as a principal. Ms. Hooker, who serves clients in the technology practice, brings 20-plus years of executive search expertise in telecommunications, consumer electronics, cloud services, cyber security, IoT and SaaS. She has also conducted assignments for venture capital and private equity firms, recruiting for their portfolio companies. Previously, she was a founding partner at BridgeStreet Partners Executive Search. Dr. French serves clients in the higher education and academic medicine sectors. She specializes in search for senior leaders in research universities and academic medical centers. She was previously a senior associate with Korn Ferry in the firm’s healthcare practice.

In April, Odgers Berndtson added Lisa DeConto, Jane Swan and Brad Pierce. Ms. DeConto joined the firm as a partner and serves clients in the financial services sector. She had been a senior member of the asset and wealth management practice at Russell Reynolds Associates. Ms. Swan became a partner and head of Odgers Berndtson’s U.S. wealth management practice. Before joining the firm, she headed the wealth management practices at Sheffield Haworth, Korn Ferry and Heidrick & Struggles. Mr. Pierce was named a partner and serves clients in the international consulting and professional services sector, where he has 17-plus years experience. He previously founded a boutique search firm, in addition to earlier roles with Korn Ferry, Russell Reynolds Associates and Heidrick & Struggles.

In February, Odgers launched a new eSports practice. The search team, supported by the Odgers Berndtson international network, is based at the firm’s London office. It is global in scope with a particular focus on Asia and the U.S. As the eSports sector matures, the firm plans to network across broad geographies and markets to assist leagues, teams, sponsors and games publishers to access talent that will help them take advantage of the growing awareness of global eSports.

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

Share This Article

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments