RM Nephew and Associates Places CHRO of Cytel

December 27, 2019 – CHROs have become critical stakeholders in defining the strategy of a company. Their job description calls for them to tackle the HR challenges and evolving expectations of a dynamic workplace environment that will consist of constant change, calculated risk taking and evolving expectations from top stakeholders.

Those well-equipped to achieve the greatest success will have diverse skill-sets, be adaptable and agile, and gain hands-on learning from working through real life situations and acquiring knowledge across disciplines and industries.

Within the life sciences sector, RM Nephew and Associates recently assisted in the placement of former Monster executive Sarah Calabria as the new CHRO of Cytel, a provider of innovative analytical software and consulting services to the biopharmaceutical sector.

Ms. Calabria is a strategic human resources executive with significant experience working in a variety of industries including: technology, consulting, consumer package goods, retail and financial services. She is a C-suite strategist with a well-rounded range of HR leadership experiences including strong board of director involvement, human resource business partner management, mergers and acquisitions, global total rewards, organizational development, performance management and communications.

At Monster, Ms. Calabria was senior strategic HR business partner for global corporate functions and government business. She led compensation, benefits and HRIS functions globally for the entire company of about 3,500 employees globally. She also managed the North American HR service center, providing employee relations/HR generalist support to over 1,400 employees and managers. Before that, Ms. Calabria was vice president of total rewards and HRIS at BJ’s Wholesale Club.  Earlier in her career, she held various HR positions with Ocean Spray Cranberries, OneBeacon Insurance and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

As a pioneer in evidence generation, with deep expertise in advanced analytical solutions, Cytel is equipped to unlock the value from increasingly complex data. The company provides data-focused clinical research services and software solutions for the design and analysis of clinical trials. With operations across North America, Europe, and India, Cytel employs 900 professionals, with strong talent in biostatistics, programming, data science and data management.

Veteran Consultants

RM Nephew and Associates, based in Boston and New York, provides partnership-driven solutions to business leadership and recruitment challenges worldwide. The firm specializes in executive search services for clients in the healthcare, technology, supply chain, warehousing, distribution and manufacturing, and professional services industries. Its clients range from Fortune 500 companies to mid-size firms to private equity and venture-backed start-ups. RM Nephew and Associates has core experience partnering with privately-held, family-owned firms.

Founder Robert Nephew, who serves as managing partner, founded the firm with more than 35 years executive search experience. He has built his career within the technology, professional services and healthcare industries. Areas of expertise include human resources, board of directors and financial officer disciplines. Through his extensive work in these areas, Mr. Nephew has refined techniques for placing senior leaders who serve as key advisors to the CEO on a range of strategic business matters.

CHRO Recruiting in the News

Hunt Scanlon Media has tracked a number of CHRO search assignments over the past six months. Here’s a sampling taken from the company’s daily newswire archives:

The Jackson Laboratory recently retained Heidrick & Struggles to help assist in its search for a new chief human resources officer. Irenee Sitbon is the point person for the assignment. Initially based in Bar Harbor, ME, the CHRO will be responsible for establishing and activating a people strategy that advances the overall institutional and strategic direction of the organization, said Heidrick.

Hanold Associates has been enlisted to find CHROs for two organizations: InMoment, a customer feedback company owned by private equity firm Madison Dearborn, and JCFS Chicago, a non-profit social service group. For InMoment, the CHRO will be the key leader of all HR processes throughout the Salt Lake City, UT-based company. The HR leader will report directly to CEO Andrew Joiner. Hanold Associates’ Neela Seenandan, co-CEO and managing partner, and Lisa Butkus, partner, are leading the assignment. InMoment’s CHRO will be expected to lead a growing team of HR professionals within the organization and focus on guiding it through a period of intense change and growth, said Hanold Associates.

Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates has been selected by the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City to find its first CHRO. Shelli Herman, president of the recruitment firm, is leading the assignment along with her associate, Krista Haley. It is a plum assignment from one of the best known museum brands in the world. “The Whitney Museum is in the midst of implementing an exciting and ambitious strategic plan,” said Ms. Herman

Philadelphia-based Diversified Search has placed Brandon Guzzone as the new CHRO of Population Services International (PSI) in Washington, D.C. Judy Boreham, co-leader of the firm’s human resources practice, led the assignment. Mr. Guzzone has a track record in translating business strategies into effective communications plans that engage and influence employees. Previously, he was chief human capital officer of Millennium Challenge Corp.

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