The Forum Group Expands
November 26, 2025 – Executive search firm The Forum Group has expanded with the addition of Jesse Bernesby as director of financial services. In this newly created leadership role, Mr. Bernesby will focus on building a high-performing vertical across compliance, risk, product, and quantitative functions, critical areas in today’s regulatory and data-driven world.
“Jesse began his recruiting career at The Forum Group in 2020, quickly becoming a top performer in finance and accounting,” the firm said. “His in-house experience with Morgan Stanley Investment Management and Lazard further sharpened his skills in high-stakes recruiting across asset management, tech, and infrastructure. Now, he returns to launch a practice focused on some of the most technical and in-demand roles in financial services. Welcome back, Jesse! We’re thrilled to have you on the team.”
Mr. Bernesby focuses on placing professionals across operations, risk management, compliance, and accounting & audit functions. He partners with clients to identify talent that supports organizational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and strategic growth initiatives. Mr. Bernesby has deep expertise in mid- and back-office recruiting, especially compliance, risk, product, and financial operations.
Most recently, Mr. Bernesby was vice president of asset management and corporate recruitment at Morgan Stanley. Before that, he served as principal talent acquisition specialist, investment management at Morgan Stanley.
“I’m most excited about building something meaningful, filling a real market gap, and adding long-term value,” said Mr. Bernesby. “There’s huge opportunity in compliance, risk, product, and quant, and I’m proud to build that vertical here with a team I respect.”
Related: The Forum Group Appoints Practice Director for Boston
Since 1974, The Forum Group, a veteran owned firm, has provided executive search services in New York City, vendor management and consulting fields, providing clients with human capital, process management, and financial consulting services.
New Investment Banking & PE Division
The Forum Group recently launched its investment banking and private equity recruitment practice, which is dedicated to connecting financial talent with firms nationwide. Expanding the firm’s expertise in financial services, the new practice builds on The Forum Group’s history of recruiting within the financial services industry. This allows the firm to cover the entire financial services market. With this new practice, The Forum Group can now place investment banking professionals from analyst to managing director levels.
The Forum Group Names Leader of HR Recruitment Division
The Forum Group has expanded with the addition of Ruth Espina as managing partner of Forum Group HR recruitment partners—a new division dedicated to connecting top HR talent with organizations. “With over 35 years of experience in human resources and executive search, Ruth isn’t just stepping into a leadership role—she’s building something from the ground up,” the search firm said. “Her mission? Building genuine, lasting relationships with both companies and candidates, ensuring every placement is not just a fit for today but a foundation for long-term success.”
Ms. Espina started in fast-paced retail and fashion brands like Macy’s, Nine West, Kenneth Cole, and Starbucks, where she gained firsthand experience in high-volume hiring, employee relations, and HR management. Her passion for talent acquisition led her to executive search during the dot-com boom in 1999. She spent years at Maximum Management (later acquired by Frazer Jones), making more than 860 successful placements.
“We understand the challenges firms face in today’s competitive hiring landscape. That’s why leading investment banks—including bulge bracket, elite boutique, and middle market firms,” The Forum Group said.
The practice is co-led by Jim Minogue and Khristopher Perron. Mr. Minogue brings a wealth of experience in talent and staffing within investment banking and private equity. He has held HR and talent leadership roles at several global firms, including Mizuho Americas, Guggenheim Securities, GE Capital, and Brown Brothers Harriman. His career journey, predominantly in human resources, has equipped him with an understanding of organizational dynamics and performance management. From his roots in technical HR operations to leadership roles in talent management and HR management, Mr. Minogue has led HR functions in companies ranging from 300 to 20,000 employees.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
