SRI Elects Urban One Executive as Non-Executive Director
January 22, 2021 – London-based search and consulting firm SRI has appointed Karen Wishart as non-executive director. She joins the SRI board with over 24 years of leadership experience in media and entertainment and organizational, operational and talent strategy. “I am delighted to welcome Karen to our board,” said Mike Squires, SRI chairman. “She brings highly relevant industry and functional experience, which reflects the importance of our media and entertainment practice and growing consulting services. Since establishing our U.S. offices in 2016, North America has become a significant part of our global business and Karen’s background in Canada and the U.S. will give critical insight to our firm’s strategy.”
Ms. Wishart is executive vice president and chief administration officer at Urban One Inc. based in Washington D.C. Together with its subsidiaries – Radio One, TV One, CLEO TV, Reach Media, iOne Digital and One Solution – Urban One is the largest diversified media company that primarily targets African-American and urban consumers in the U.S. With a mission to boldly “Represent Black Culture,” it reaches 82 percent of Black America weekly with an edict to be “unapologetically in the black people business.” Ms. Wishart oversees legal and business affairs, human resources, corporate communications and creative services, and facilities. Previously, she was president and CEO for Curzon Staffing, a privately held, certified female and minority-owned and operated company with over 25 years in the staffing industry.
Prior to that role, Ms. Wishart held several leadership positions within media and entertainment organizations including EVP and chief legal officer at TV One. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from McMaster University, a doctor of law from University of Windsor and an MBA from Goizueta Business School, Emory University.
“I am thrilled to join the SRI board,” said Ms. Wishart. “It’s an exciting business with an immensely talented team. I am looking forward to contributing to the firm’s forward thinking strategies for expansion, innovation and diversity, equity and inclusion.”
SRI is a global executive search and consulting firm focused on the sport, esports, media and entertainment, fashion and sporting goods industries. The firm’s services include executive search, emerging leaders search, hiring strategy, board assessment, succession planning, salary benchmarking, new market entry consulting and multi-vacancy projects.
Other Recent Moves
SRI has made other moves in recent months to strengthen its North American presence. Partner Paul Chidley has relocated to the firm’s Los Angeles office where he will be responsible for driving the North American sports practice across its three offices in New York, Boston and Los Angeles. Mr. Chidley has spent the last 10 years building SRI’s European business and advising organizations at the intersection of the converging worlds of sport, media, content and technology. He has over a decade of search experience working with leading organizations including the NFL’s Washington Football Team, Ironman, AEG, Liverpool FC, Manchester United FC and F1 Management to find game changing talent.
Jay Hussey, SRI’s North American CEO said: “Paul is a tremendous asset to SRI. He has played a significant role in the growth of our European business. He is a fantastic addition to our North American team and our clients will benefit from his depth of experience, boundless energy and ability to secure diverse, stand-out talent.”
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
