ZRG Names President of Consulting Solutions
June 23, 2025 – ZRG has appointed Susan Gallagher as president of consulting solutions. She will lead the continued expansion and integration of ZRG’s global consulting platform, further enhancing the firm’s ability to help clients align leadership, culture, and strategy for long-term success. “Susie is exactly the kind of leader we look for at ZRG: forward-thinking, results-driven, and ready to break from convention,” said Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG. “As demand for modern advisory solutions continues to rise, Susie’s experience and vision will be instrumental in scaling our consulting platform and delivering even greater value to our clients.”
Ms. Gallagher has more than 25 years of experience building and leading high-performing consulting organizations. She was one of the founding partners at Huron Consulting Group, where she helped scale the business through its IPO and into a public company. Most recently, she served as CEO and part owner of Bravanti, a private equity backed firm, which she led the sale of, to ZRG Partners in 2024. Ms. Gallagher’s leadership spans large-scale enterprises, mid-market ventures, and entrepreneurial spinout – all with a focus on delivering exceptional client outcomes. She is widely recognized for her culture-first leadership and track record of driving scalable growth across sectors, including healthcare, financial services, and professional services. Ms. Gallagher is a frequent speaker on leadership transformation, talent strategy, and the future of work and she is an active civic leader in the Chicago community.
Under Ms. Gallagher’s leadership, ZRG Consulting will focus on several strategic priorities including expanding and unifying consulting capabilities under one integrated platform as well as investing in top talent to strengthen culture and client delivery. She will also focus on deepening industry alignment to provide sharper, more tailored solutions.
“I’ve spent my career building businesses by staying close to the people who matter – our clients and our teams,” said Ms. Gallagher. “ZRG isn’t here to replicate the old consulting playbook. We’re building something bolder: a more connected, agile, and human advisory model that’s built for today’s pace of business. That’s what drew me here – and what I’m excited to lead.”
Related: ZRG Acquires Legal Search Firm EP Dine
ZRG, founded in 1999, is a fast-growing global talent advisory firm with the financial backing of private equity investor RFE Investment Partners. It provides a full suite of executive, middle management, and customized search solutions through its offices in North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. The firm finds leaders across a broad spectrum of business markets, including aerospace, consumer, education, healthcare services, and solutions, industrial, life sciences, non-profit, private equity and venture capital, and technology. ZRG is based in Rochelle Park, NJ.
New Co-Head for the Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice
ZRG just recently appointed Joni Noel as co-head of its healthcare & life sciences practice alongside Brian McGowan, who has guided ZRG’s healthcare efforts with a focus on executive search. Together, they will partner closely to expand ZRG’s impact across the talent spectrum, from C-suite placements to interim leadership, embedded recruiting, and consulting. Ms. Noel will primarily focus on interim and project consulting, expanding ZRG’s capabilities across the full suite of talent advisory solutions for healthcare and life sciences clients. “Our goal is to be the most trusted partner in healthcare and life sciences talent,” said Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG. “Joni’s arrival strengthens our ability to deliver fully integrated solutions, and her track record speaks for itself. This is a key step forward as we expand our capabilities for clients in this critical sector.”
ZRG Appoints Sector Head for AI and Data
ZRG has expanded its data and AI expertise with the addition of Deepali Vyas as managing director, sector head of AI and data. “AI and data are no longer future considerations—they’re shaping business strategy right now,” said Nate Frank, president of executive search at ZRG. “Deepali’s arrival marks a significant step forward in our ability to serve clients who are building data-centric, AI-enabled organizations. Her track record, credibility, and insight will help our clients find the leaders they need to navigate an increasingly complex digital future.”
“Joni is a force—strategic, deeply embedded in the industry, and relentlessly focused on client outcomes,” said Mark Viner, president of ZRG interim solutions & project consulting. “Her arrival signals our continued commitment to helping healthcare and life sciences clients solve their biggest challenges—not with static solutions, but with the right expertise at the right time.”
“Joni brings a new dimension to our team,” said Mr. McGowan, managing director. “Her leadership in interim and consulting is exactly what our clients need as the industry evolves—and I’m thrilled to partner with her in this next chapter.”
Ms. Noel brings over 25 years of experience leading healthcare consulting engagements, building high-performing teams, and partnering with private equity to deliver transformation in the healthcare and life sciences sectors. Most recently, she served as global healthcare industry vertical leader and head of private equity at RGP, overseeing more than 500 new engagements annually across health systems, payors, life sciences companies, and health tech innovators.
Related: ZRG Acquires Jamesbeck
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
