The Forum Group Names Leader of HR Recruitment Division

May 14, 2025 – Executive search firm 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.

Ms. Espina’s connection to The Forum Group runs deep—she’s known Frank Fusaro (founder), Chris Fusaro (CEO), Jim Minogue (COO), and Marc Rentzer for years. But why now? “As a recent empty-nester, this is the perfect time in my life and career for a bold new challenge,” Ruth shares. “Rebuilding and expanding The Forum Group’s HR practice was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. This company’s 50-year legacy, strong leadership, and commitment to excellence made it an easy decision.”

“My mission is simple: connect the best HR talent with the right companies—quickly, seamlessly, and with integrity,” Ms. Espina said. “I’ve seen how transformative HR professionals can be for organizations, and I’m excited to make that impact through The Forum Group.”

Related: Leading and Scaling with Talent

Ms. Espina is leading Forum Group HR recruitment partners with the goal of delivering high-impact HR talent solutions across industries, including:

• Financial services & banking.
• Real estate & insurance.
• Legal & compliance.
• Retail, fashion, & beauty.
• Life sciences, pharma & biotech.
• Creative, media, & AdTech.
• Non-profit & education.
• Technology & AI.
• Manufacturing.

Her team specializes in placing HR professionals at all levels, including:

• Chief people officers / CHROs / heads of HR.
• HR business partners, directors & managers.
• Compensation, benefits and total rewards experts.
• Talent management and organizational development specialists.
• HR operations / systems / HRIS and workforce planning professionals.
• Recruitment leaders.
• Employee relations and training experts.

“But Ruth’s impact won’t stop at placements,” The Forum Group said. “She’ll also provide strategic advisory services on market trends, compensation benchmarking, job competencies, succession planning, and workforce strategy.” With a clear plan and deep industry expertise, Ms. Espina will also:

• Build a best-in-class HR recruitment division that delivers talent.
• Foster trust-based relationships with clients and candidates for long-term success.
• Expand The Forum Group’s reach in the HR search market.
• Offer both permanent and interim HR staffing solutions to meet today’s evolving business needs

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.

“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.

Related: Challenges, Trends, and Hopes for a Hiring Resurgence in 2025

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media