Odgers Berndtson Names Head of Healthcare and Life Sciences Practices
March 23, 2018 – Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson has continued its recent expansion with the addition of Michael T. Kelly to its Minneapolis office as vice chairman, global head of life sciences, and U.S. head of the healthcare and life sciences practices.
“Mike brings to his clients personal attention and unparalleled access to an international talent base across all major industries at the very highest levels of management and operations,” said Steve Potter, CEO of Odgers Berndtson U.S. “In the past 25 years, he has worked with hundreds of companies and their corporate boards, identifying top executives throughout the world in almost every function and industry.”
Odgers Berndtson, said Mr. Potter, is dedicated to bringing the very best C-suite executives and board directors to help clients address their most pressing challenges and needs. “We’re thrilled to have Mike join us particularly with his deep experience in life sciences and healthcare,” he said.
Previously, Mr. Kelly was a partner in the life sciences practice with Caldwell Partners. Before that, he served as vice chairman of Heidrick & Struggles, which he joined following its 2006 acquisition of TMP/Highland Partners, of which he was chairman. Prior to joining TMP, he was the global sector leader for healthcare and life sciences at Korn Ferry. He began his career at Russell Reynolds Associates, where he was a partner in its life sciences practice. Before the search industry, Mr. Kelly worked in life sciences, including a stint as a vice president at St. Jude Medical Inc. and senior-level positions with Recognition Equipment.
“I recruited Mike to TMP when the was the practice head at Korn Ferry so it feels great to be reunited,” said Mr. Potter.
For his part, Mr. Kelley said: “I am excited to start a new challenge with Odgers Berndtson and look forward to working with the global team to enhance the firm’s already strong reputation in the life sciences and healthcare industry. This is a great opportunity for me to help Odgers Berndtson demonstrate its dedication to preeminence in executive search particularly organizations in all sectors look for transformative leaders.”
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Expansion Wave
Odgers Berndtson has seen a wave of growth over the past year, and it started 2018 with the addition of four experienced and well-established executive search professionals to the firm: Richard Kim, Diane Lavietes, Margaret Plympton and Richard Modecki. Mr. Kim joined as a partner in the firm’s Houston office and was most recently the head of the energy sector with Futurestep. Ms. Lavietes joined the New York office of Odgers as a partner and head of the firm’s U.S. consumer & retail practice. She was previously a SVP at Berglass + Associates. Dr. Plympton came to the Boston office as a partner in its U.S. higher education practice. She previously served as deputy chair and acting chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Mr. Modecki joined the firm as a principal in the technology practice based in Washington, D.C. He was most recently at Russell Reynolds Associates.
In December, Odgers opened a new office in Dublin. The move was made to enhance the firm’s capacity to support global companies looking to establish new centers of operation in Europe in readiness for Brexit, according to Odgers. The new location is led by Damian Ringwood, who becomes managing partner, Odgers Berndtson Dublin.
In November, Odgers added Susannah Crabtree as partner and head of its Ottawa office. She 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. Ms. Crabtree previously served as Ottawa office leader for Mercer Canada.
In September, Odgers 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.
Also 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 of combined management consulting and recruiting experience.
Last summer, 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.
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
