True Search Launches Edtech Practice
August 5, 2020 – Haddonfield, NJ-based executive recruitment firm True Search has launched an edtech practice to support the rapidly evolving world of technology-supported education.
Having worked with numerous global companies, True has developed deep experience in the space and a talent network of executives who understand what’s needed to keep edtech moving forward. From VC-backed start-ups to established organizations, True has already worked with brands such as Duolingo, Powerschool, Abl and others to place executives and teams across all functional areas.
“These companies have entrusted us with the responsibility of identifying visionary leaders who also know how to execute,” said Joe Riggione. co-CEO of True. “True’s edtech team has completed more than 100 searches and our new formal practice allows us to harness and leverage this experience connecting edtech companies with critical executive talent. Globally, the edtech space is poised for accelerated innovation and we’re excited to support such an important industry.”
True’s edtech specialists include: partners Matt Engel in Boston, Alex Gold in Singapore, Kevin Griffiths in Sydney, Alex Klein in Los Angeles, Kathleen Scheld in New York, Steve Tutelman in Philadelphia and Tessa Wehausen in San Francisco.
Working in both the private and public sectors, True Search has offices throughout the U.S. as well as the EMEA and APAC regions. Since the late 1990s, the firm’s founders have refined their search process with a blend of data-centric insights, relationship-building and experience to produce a methodology that consistently improves hiring decisions and accelerates growth. Clients include: Jet, Work Front, Summit Partners. True Search is a subsidiary of True Talent Advisory, a global portfolio of human capital services and products for high-growth tech and tech-enabled organizations.
New Partners
In July, True expanded its consumer practice with the addition of two partners: Diane Lavietes, New York beauty, fashion and lifestyle expert, and Matt Skiba, former head of executive recruiting at Snap. Operating globally from 15 offices, True’s consumer practice works with the most innovative consumer-facing brands within beauty, fashion, lifestyle, new retail, consumer digital, health, wellness and foodtech.
Most recently, Ms. Lavietes served as head of Odgers Berndtson’s consumer retail board in the U.S., where she worked with clients such as L’Oreal, Unilever, Shiseido, Lixil (Grohe and American Standard) and Sakura Art Products. Mr. Skiba joins True from Snap, where he was the head of global executive recruiting. He has completed 67 executive level and strategic searches globally, in tandem with leading Snap’s executive recruiting initiatives.
“Today’s companies must continuously find ways to evolve, especially in an environment that requires creative thinking to stay competitive,” Mr. Riggione said. “Our ability to place the talent that drives ‘what’s next’ is core to True’s service, and having Diane and Matt join the team further enhances our ability to keep consumer-focused companies moving forward.”
New Board of Directors
In January, True announced the formation of its board of directors. The board will help guide the organization’s next generation of industry-changing solutions across the talent lifecycle.
“Whether it’s executive search, strategic hiring, candidate sourcing, leadership development, or technology, we are constantly looking for ways to push the industry forward,” said Mr. Riggione. “We recognize our clients’ need for efficient people solutions that drive value and growth; our new board will make meaningful contributions to help us continue to innovate and reinvent the space.”
True’s board of directors includes: Jennifer Ceran, CFO of Smartsheet; Alex Shootman, president and CEO of Workfront; and, Evan Wittenberg, EVP and chief people officer at Ancestry and True co-founders and CEOs Brad Stadler and Mr. Riggione.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
