There’s a moment in executive search that never gets old for me. It’s usually late in a process, when the shortlist is strong and the conversations have moved past the rehearsed answers. Someone says something — a detail about how they lead, what they’ve learned the hard way, what they’d do differently next time — and suddenly everything clicks. You can feel the alignment. The role makes sense. The person makes sense. The path forward gets clearer.
I’ve always liked that part of the work. The part where you’re listening properly, reading between the lines, and helping two sides find the right fit.
For most of my career, I did that work inside a major executive search firm. It was demanding in the best way. The standards were high, the pace was real, and you learned quickly because you had to. I worked hard there, and I’m genuinely grateful for the experience. It shaped my judgment, broadened my view of the market, and put me in front of leaders who taught me a lot simply by how they operated.
Over time, I started to pay attention to what made the best searches succeed. The strongest outcomes weren’t driven by volume or complexity. They came from a few fundamentals done well: a clear brief, thoughtful calibration early on, direct access to the real decision-makers, and consistent stewardship of the process from start to finish. When those pieces are in place, the work becomes more precise. The client gets better information. Candidates feel the difference. Decisions are made with more confidence.
That insight became the starting point for IK Search.
I founded IK Search in New York because I wanted to build a partner-led, retained firm that stays close to the work. In practice, that means the people leading the search are involved throughout. It means fewer handovers, fewer layers, and more continuity. It also means clients know exactly who they’re working with, and candidates aren’t treated like a set of numbers in a database.
A smaller firm also lets us be more deliberate. We can take on a select set of assignments at a time and give each one real attention. That isn’t about working less. If anything, it requires more focus and more care. The difference is where the energy goes: into the key conversations, the market mapping, the judgment calls, and the follow-through that makes a process feel steady.
I’m proud of the team we’ve built at IK Search. They’re smart, experienced, and calm under pressure. They care about doing the work properly, and they treat people with respect. That matters more than most firms admit, because this is a relationship business in the most literal sense.
IK Search exists for clients who want a partner-led process and straight answers, and for candidates who want to be engaged thoughtfully. When the right match is made, you can feel it. It’s one of the most satisfying parts of this job — and it’s what we’re here to deliver.
