Witt/Kieffer Expands Sports Leadership Practice
November 16, 2016 – Executive search firm Witt/Kieffer has named Katy Young as a senior associate in its expanding sports leadership practice. Based in Dallas, she will focus on the firm’s recruitment of university and college coaches.
Experienced in both collegiate and professional sports recruiting, Ms. Young has supported over 40 searches for Division I head coaches and athletic directors. She has worked with clients across professional sports (including NBA, MLB, and NHL teams) as well as major events and venues.
Evaluating Candidates Based on Fit
“As we look to continue to expand our current efforts in the field of sports leadership, we are thrilled to welcome Katy and her capabilities to our practice,” said Greg Santore, principal and practice leader of Witt/Kieffer’s sports leadership practice. “Katy has a track record of success and we look forward to the tremendous support she will bring to the table, especially within the area of coaches for men’s and women’s college sports. With her on our team, we are better fit to serve our existing clients and beyond.”
“I am excited about the opportunity to join Witt/Kieffer’s sports leadership practice and to continue to develop new and existing relationships that enhance the industry,” Ms. Young said. “As a result of working with college coaches in particular and establishing personal relationships with them, I’ve learned to evaluate and present candidates based on fit and have developed a feel for the industry that I am confident will complement existing efforts by Witt/Kieffer.”
Witt/Kieffer’s sports leadership practice recruits leaders for colleges and universities, sports foundations, alumni associations, governing bodies and sports federations, professional leagues and teams, and other non-profit charitable organizations.
Sport & Executive Search
Today, executive search firms are being called in by professional sports teams, colleges, and consumer brands to identify a host of leaders, from coaches and athletics directors to heads of marketing, finance, sales, fundraising and corporate partnerships as well as general manger roles.
Many C-suite focused recruiting firms are now active in the field and some specialize only in the sports field itself, but all are dedicated to providing sports-related executive search and leadership advisory services.
They include in addition to Witt/Kieffer: Nolan Partners, Turnkey Search; CarrSports Consulting, Korn Ferry, Harvard Group International, Prodigy Sports, Marquee Search, DHR International, Hartmann Mason, College Sports Solutions, Egon Zehnder, Heidrick & Struggles, Ascension Sports Partners, Russell Reynolds Associates, Diversified Search, Odgers Berndtson, Eastman & Beaudine, Alden Associates, Parker Executive Search, Sports Recruitment International (SRi), Neinas Sports Services, and Collegiate Sports Associates.
Contributed by Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor, Hunt Scanlon Media
