Spencer Stuart Appoints Leader of Global Real Estate Practice
April 10, 2026 – Spencer Stuart has named Justin Zale as a partner in its New York and Stamford offices, where he will lead the firm’s global real estate practice. “Justin brings a deeply strategic perspective on talent, honed through his combined experiences as a real estate operator and global advisor,” said George Craft, who leads Spencer Stuart’s global financial services practice. “As the real estate industry continues to evolve among shifting business models and evolving capital structures, his insight and leadership will be invaluable to clients as they plan for the future.”
Mr. Zale counsels boards, executive leadership teams and investment groups on a wide variety of human capital matters, supporting clients in building senior leadership pipelines, navigating complex succession planning and optimizing talent impact. He advises a wide range of clients across the real estate industry and its adjacent sectors, leveraging his real estate industry expertise and sector coverage.
Most recently, Mr. Zale was a partner at another global executive search and leadership advisory firm, where he helped develop and lead the firm’s real estate practice on a global basis. Earlier in his career, he was a real estate industry practitioner with a focus on investment and capital advisory. Mr. Zale co‑founded S2K Partners, a real estate investment management and securities distribution firm, and previously worked in the merchant banking and investment banking departments at Cantor Fitzgerald, focusing on transactions across the real estate, gaming and lodging sectors. He began his career at Credit Suisse in the real estate finance department, investing debt and equity capital into commercial real estate transactions throughout the United States and Latin America.
“I’m excited to join Spencer Stuart at a moment of significant change and opportunity for the global real estate industry,” said Mr. Zale. “The firm’s deep partnership with boards and senior leaders, combined with its commitment to forward‑looking talent and leadership solutions, creates a powerful platform to help clients address their current opportunities and position their organizations for long‑term success.”
Related: Spencer Stuart Names Co-Leader of Board Advisory Practice
Privately held since 1956, Spencer Stuart focuses on delivering knowledge, insight, and results through the collaborative efforts of a team of search professionals — now spanning 56 offices, 30 countries, and more than 50 practice specialties. The firm helps boards and leaders address their leadership needs in areas such as senior-level executive search, board recruitment, board effectiveness, succession planning, in-depth senior management assessment and many other facets of organizational effectiveness.
New CFO
Spencer Stuart recently appointed Clare Kennedy as its new chief financial officer. She succeeds Christine Laurens as part of a planned succession and in support of Laurens’ retirement from full-time executive work. Ms. Laurens will remain with the firm for several months to ensure a smooth transition. “We are grateful to Christine for her many significant contributions, which have strengthened our finance function and advanced our firm, and wish her the very best in her retirement,” said Jordan Brugg, CEO of Spencer Stuart. “We are delighted to welcome Clare to Spencer Stuart to further build on that strength. She is an accomplished finance leader and will be an exceptional addition to our global leadership team, with her deep experience and strong track record in strengthening operations, driving profitable growth and developing impactful teams.”
Ms. Kennedy, who is based in London, joins Spencer Stuart from Maples Group, an international advisory firm that provides legal, fiduciary and fund administration services, where she served as global chief operating officer. She joined Maples Group from Freshfields, an international law firm, where she served as its global CFO and held a seat on the global executive board.
Ms. Kennedy previously spent 18 years at Linklaters, an international law firm, where she held a variety of senior finance and commercial leadership roles during a period of significant expansion and growth. Her experience has been global, not only in leading international operations but also in having lived and worked in Amsterdam, London, New York and Toronto.
Related: Spencer Stuart Forms Long-Term Alliance with ONYX
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
