Spencer Stuart Names Co-Leader of Board Advisory Practice
September 4, 2025 – Spencer Stuart has expanded with the addition of Rebecca Thornton in New York as co-leader of the board advisory practice. She will lead the practice alongside George Anderson, who is based in Spencer Stuart’s Boston office. Julie Daum, a longtime firm leader in board advisory, will serve as chair of the practice. “We are thrilled to welcome Rebecca back to Spencer Stuart, and for her and George to lead our board advisory practice in North America, at a time when boards are navigating considerable change and transformation,” said Jordan Brugg, chief executive officer of Spencer Stuart. “We bring unparalleled experience supporting boards on governance matters and we are incredibly thankful to Julie Daum for having shaped our board practice into what it is today, and for her ongoing guidance and client impact in the years to come.”
Ms. Thornton brings 25 years of experience advising CEOs, boards, individual directors and aspiring directors on board recruitment, board design and composition, shareholder engagement and CEO succession. She is a recognized governance thought leader, named to the National Association of Corporate Directors’ (NACD) Directorship 100 list of most influential voices in corporate governance. Previously, Thornton served for seven years at J.P. Morgan as head of Director Advisory Services (DAS), the bank’s center of excellence for advising and supporting corporate clients on their board needs. Before joining J.P. Morgan, Rebecca spent nine years at Spencer Stuart, supporting director recruitment across industries. She earned a B.A. with honors from Colby College.
“I’m excited to return to Spencer Stuart and help further strengthen the firm’s position as a trusted advisor in the boardroom,” said Ms. Thornton. “The expectations around corporate governance have never been greater. I look forward to partnering with George and the team to help companies enhance their own performance to drive sustainable value creation amid the changing corporate landscape.”
Mr. Anderson previously led board effectiveness, an essential service line within Spencer Stuart’s board advisory business. He has extensive experience advising boards and conducting searches for directors, consulting with CEOs and boards on leadership and governance matters such as CEO and board succession. He has been named multiple times to the National Association of Corporate Directors’ (NACD) Directorship 100 list of most influential people in corporate governance and is a recipient of Spencer Stuart’s Lou Rieger Quality Award for outstanding client service.
Related: Spencer Stuart Appoints U.K. Managing Partner
Mr. Anderson is a frequent speaker at leading governance forums, regularly convenes directors to support their development, and leads Spencer Stuart’s new director program. Before joining Spencer Stuart in 2013, Mr. Anderson was a partner at Tapestry Networks, a principal at Toffler Associates and a senior consultant at Accenture.
Boards Facing Unprecedented Challenges
“From macroeconomic volatility to technological disruption, boards are facing unprecedented challenges, and I am honored to work with Rebecca and the practice to help boards lift their performance in an increasingly complex world,” said Mr. Anderson.
Spencer Stuart Names Leader of the Global Technology, Media, Telecommunications & IT Services Practice
Spencer Stuart has named Emanuela Aureli as leader of the global technology, media, telecommunications & IT services practice. “I’m excited to announce my new role as partner and global practice leader, tech, media, telco & services practice at Spencer Stuart,” Ms. Aureli said in a LinkedIn post. “To my clients, candidates and colleagues: thank you for your trust, support and collaboration.” Ms. Aureli has been with Spencer Stuart for 10 years. She is also a member of the board and CEO practices. Ms. Aureli has more than 20 years of experience in executive search and leadership development. She works with large corporations and private equity-backed organizations, focusing on European and global appointments at board and senior executive levels in software, IT services, financial technology and communications services.
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.
Related: Spencer Stuart Appoints Advisory Services Co-Leader
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
