Russell Reynolds Associates Names Leader for HR Officers Practice in Australia

December 26, 2019 – The executive search field continues to be a welcoming landing pad for HR executives and other top corporate executives looking for a career change. Executive recruitment firm Russell Reynolds Associates recently named veteran HR executive Katherine Henry as a senior member of the firm’s global corporate officers sector, leading the human resources officers practice in Australia. She is based in Melbourne and will advise clients on matters pertaining to organizational transformations, talent acquisition and development.

“We are thrilled to add such a highly qualified expert to our team and to offer her expertise to our clients,” said Peter L. O’Brien, leader of Russell Reynolds Associates’ Asia Pacific region. “With almost two decades of experience working with clients to develop and implement organizational transformation programs, Katherine will be a great asset to the firm to strategically advise clients on the talent strategy to transform and grow their businesses in this competitive environment.”

Ms. Henry joined Russell Reynolds Associates from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), where she was executive general manager, people and transformation. As a member of the executive team, she was responsible for delivering the People and Culture strategy and services, as well as the organizational transformation program across the enterprise. Previously, Ms. Henry was with ASX-listed Bellamy’s Organic and UXC, where she held chief human resources officer roles. With close to 20 years of HR experience, she began her career with PwC Consulting in the human capital and strategic change practice.

Russell Reynolds Associates is a global leadership advisory and search firm. Its 425+ consultants in 46 offices work with public, private and non-profit organizations across all industries and regions.

The New York City headquartered firm recently added two other HR executives to its staff. In April, it added Helena Fyda as a consultant in its corporate officers’ practice. Based in Houston, Ms. Fyda works closely with C-suite-level executives to help drive greater effectiveness and transformative business partnering for corporate functions, particularly the human resources function. Prior to Russell Reynolds Associates, Ms. Fyda worked for nearly 20 years at BP, where she was most recently vice president of human resources for BP America.

Earlier this year, veteran HR executive Eren Rosenfeld joined Russell Reynolds as chief human capital officer. She leads the firm’s global talent strategy, new talent development and human resources functions. Ms. Rosenfeld was previously the global head of talent development at BlackRock.

“Eren’s experience in creating and executing global talent strategies at some of the world’s largest financial institutions to realize business outcomes is critical for organizations to adeptly respond and compete within the fast pace of transformation in business today,” said CEO Clarke Murphy.

HR Leaders Transition to Recruiters

For CHROs, chief talent officers and other C-suite HR executives, the cross-over skills required in the search business are nearly identical, and Hunt Scanlon Media has recently tracked a number of successful transitions. We have taken note of the trend among top-ranking HR executives reestablishing themselves as executive recruiters. Here’s a look at some of the more prominent ones:

The Human Capital Group, based in Nashville, TN, expanded with the addition of former HR executive David Alexander as managing director. Based in the firm’s Dallas office, he is charged with supporting the firm’s ongoing growth of its executive search and leadership advisory services. Previously, Mr. Alexander was chief people officer of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.

Brazilian search firm EXEC added former HR executive Cintia Bortotto as partner. She works in the business division focused on leadership advisory. Ms. Bortotto has more than 24 years of professional experience, including 20 years in the human resources area, with more than 18 years in leadership positions in multinational companies, with a global and Latin America focus.

M&A Executive Search & Consulting named Rick Copeland as a senior vice president. He comes to the executive recruitment industry after more than 25 years in HR. “What makes this an exciting hire for the firm is that Rick has spent the past 25 years as a human resources executive,” said Dave Magnani, M&A Executive Search’s president, consulting services.