Recruitment scam alert|We never ask candidates for payment. How to verify a message from us

      About Cowen Partners Executive Search

       

      At Cowen Partners Executive Search, we’ve brought executive search back to its roots: old-school headhunting with modern precision. In an industry where complacency and bureaucracy dominate, we saw an opportunity to raise the bar. Most search firms lean on inexperienced consultants and borrowed networks. We put a senior partner on every search, keep them on it until it closes, and go after the leaders who were never looking in the first place.

      Cowen Partners Executive Search is a nationally ranked retained executive search firm.

      Executive Search for C-Suite Leadership

      Cowen Partners Executive Search is a retained executive search firm advising boards, CEOs, and investors on C-suite and senior leadership recruitment for private equity–backed, founder-led, and Fortune 500 companies. We are ranked among the Top 50 Executive Search Firms by Forbes, Business Insider, and Hunt Scanlon.

      Our search engagements are led by senior partners and supported by total market access to proven executive talent. Through a rigorous search process, we deliver qualified candidate slates in 21 days from kickoff, and the finalist is typically in that first slate.

      500

      + Executive Placements
      Nationwide

      21

      Days to First
      Candidate Slate

      99

      % Candidate
      Retention Rate

      365

      Day Replacement
      Guarantee

      Our Team Places Talent For Trajectory Level Growth

       

      When you choose Cowen Partners Executive Search, you get senior partner-led searches, due diligence, run networking, candidate vetting, critical review, and high-level teamwork geared towards one goal: placing top talent, right away, for your role.

      This is how we became and stay a leading team of executive search consultants.

      Are you ready to make your next hire the right one for massive growth?

      Our Executive Search Approach

      Market-Wide Access

      We don’t stop at the surface. Our team leverages comprehensive research and outreach to explore the entire talent pool, ensuring you’re connected to the best leaders available, whether they’re actively seeking new opportunities or excelling in their current roles.

      Tailored Expertise

      Every organization is unique, and so are its challenges. That’s why we match leadership experience and skill sets to your industry’s specific needs, providing you with executives equipped to thrive in your environment.

      Strategic Approach

      We know that finding the right fit isn’t just about qualifications—it’s about aligning with your goals and culture. Our customized search process ensures the perfect match, delivering top-tier candidates ready to lead.

      Our Executive Search Process

      Most firms will not show you how they work until after you have signed. We publish ours.

      Every search is run by a senior partner, start to finish.

      Cowen Partners Executive Search delivers 3x the number of qualified candidates compared to other executive search firms.

      Qualified candidates identified200+
      Qualified pre-screens100+
      Candidates presented10
      Client interviews5
      Finalists2
      Final interview and offer1

      The first two stages are due diligence we run behind the scenes. The last four are the client experience: review ten, interview five, decide between two. We call it the 10/5/2 method.

      80% of the candidates we present are currently employed, because the leader you want is rarely the one answering a job posting. Reaching them is the work.

      What you get with Cowen Partners Executive Search

      • A first candidate slate in 21 days from kickoff, with the finalist typically in it.
      • The hire identified in an average of 38 days.
      • A dedicated senior contact. We will never hand you off to a junior staff member. The partner who scopes your search runs it and closes it.
      • Weekly recruiting updates, not status when you chase it.
      • Access to passive candidates through proprietary technology, a national executive database, and relationships built over years of search.
      • Competitor assessment, used both as a talent source and for compensation benchmarking.
      • Candidate benchmarking against national averages, plus assessment of interpersonal behavior and motivators.
      • Full due diligence: multi-point professional and character references, state and federal background checks, and credit history where the role warrants it.
      • Performance-based fees, tied to performance benchmarks with no hidden administrative costs.
      • A 365-day guarantee. If a placement departs within a year, we replace them at no additional cost.
      • 99% candidate retention.

      EXECUTIVE SEARCH CASE STUDIES

       

      MR Tanner Case Study: Hiring a Head of Sales to Build a Commercial Function From Scratch

      A privately held infrastructure services firm pivoting into commercial markets needed its first head of sales. No team, no playbook, no pipeline. We placed a leader who had built a revenue function from scratch, then run one nationally.

      Case Study: Building the First Sales Function for a Newly Acquired Mortgage Technology Platform

      A profitable mortgage technology company acquired an AI-enabled platform and needed someone who could sell it. We built the first sales function for a profile the company had never recruited, in one of financial services’ narrowest markets.

      Case Study: VP and General Manager Search for a Multi-Location Equipment Rental Platform

      A multi-location equipment rental platform needed a VP and general manager who could own the P&L, optimize a fleet and drive commercial growth. We found a builder’s instincts rather than a manager’s oversight.

      Case Study: President Search for a Closely Held Powersports Dealership in Interior Alaska

      A closely held, multi-location powersports dealership needed its first President, and a candidate willing to relocate to interior Alaska for a newly created role. We placed a leader committed to the owners’ long-term vision.

      Case Study: CMO Search for One of America’s Largest Direct-to-Consumer Ammunition Retailers

      One of America’s largest direct-to-consumer ammunition retailers had spent two decades building a loyal subscription base. We placed a CMO who could scale that brand without breaking what made its customers stay.

      Case Study: Global CFO Search for a Post-Merger Food and Beverage Platform

      Two legacy food and beverage organizations had just merged, and finance would either hold the integration together or break it. We placed a Global CFO who unified both companies and built scalable financial infrastructure.

      Case Study: CEO Succession at a NASDAQ-Listed Semiconductor Company

      A NASDAQ-listed semiconductor manufacturer had to solve chief executive succession without a gap in operational leadership or a signal of instability to its investors. We placed a CEO who could own both from day one.

      Case Study: Finding the Right CFO for Galderma’s Growing U.S. Operations

      A global dermatology company standing up new U.S. headquarters needed a CFO for its fastest-growing market. We placed a finance leader who could build the American function while reporting into a European parent.

      Case Study: First-Ever CFO Placement for a Founder-Led Defense Technology Company

      A founder-led defense technology company delivering mission-critical systems to the U.S. military had never had a CFO. We placed its first one in roughly eight to ten weeks, with infrastructure to match the ambition.

      Case Study: Elevating Financial Leadership for a Family-Owned American Icon

      A family-owned consumer brand millions of Americans recognize needed financial leadership equal to its legacy. We placed a CFO with the strategic horsepower to carry a household name into its next phase of growth.

      Case Study: Building Strategic People Leadership for a $600M+ Multi-Site Services Platform

      A multi-site services platform had outgrown a transactional HR function. We placed a CHRO with credibility in the field, strategic influence in the boardroom, and the operational instincts to hold both together.

      Case Study: National Wealth Management Firm Secures Rare Partner-Level Tax Talent in Hyper-Competitive Market

      A national wealth management firm needed partner-level tax talent with ultra-high-net-worth expertise. The candidates were not looking, and the Big 4 were courting them relentlessly. We found and closed one anyway.

      Case Study: Reframing Operational Leadership to Support Scalable Growth

      A vertically integrated construction and development firm hit a growth phase its operating structure could not carry. We reframed the role itself, then placed an operations leader who brought alignment, speed and accountability across functions.

      Case Study: Strategic CFO Placement for a Private Family Office

      A private family office needed a CFO who could work at the intersection of financial operations and investment strategy. We ran a discreet, targeted search built on rigorous stakeholder alignment and a nuanced evaluation framework.

      From Stabilization to Scale: Placing a Growth-Ready COO for a Physician-Led Healthcare Group

      A physician-owned gastroenterology group with more than twenty locations was moving from stabilization to scale as its COO departed. We placed an operator who could run multiple service lines under a board of practicing physicians.

      Case Study: Building Leadership in Threes at TaborStreet

      An entrepreneurial industrial services platform needed three leaders, not one, and needed them to work as a unit. We ran the searches in parallel and built the leadership team the business model actually required.

      Case Study: Building a Marketing Function from Scratch: San Antonio Area Foundation CMO Placement

      A community foundation managing more than a billion dollars in charitable assets had never had a marketing function. We placed a CMO to build one from scratch, for a mission-driven organization with no commercial playbook.

      Building Economic Sovereignty: Cowen Partners Executive Search Places First CEO for Cowlitz Economic Authority

      A federally recognized tribe had grown a portfolio of enterprises that each ran independently. We placed the first CEO of its new economic authority, charged with turning separate businesses into one strategic division.

      Case Study: Global Fresh Produce Leader Secures Critical North American Expansion Executive

      A century-old global fresh produce company had let its North American growth outpace its leadership structure. We placed the executive who could manage a complex web of partner relationships across the continent.

      Case Study: Precision Search for a High-Impact Tax Leader at DT Midstream

      A publicly traded midstream natural gas company, recently spun off from its parent, needed a tax leader for a structure few executives have ever run. We found one inside a narrow and specialized candidate pool.

      Case Study: Hands-On CFO for Renewal by Andersen

      Two offices of a national replacement window and door franchise had outgrown their finance support. We placed a hands-on CFO who could scale with the business rather than simply report on it.

      Case Study: Guided by Culture, Driven by Mission: UAII CEO Placement

      The only Urban Indian health center in Los Angeles, serving the nation’s largest American Indian population, needed a CEO. We placed a leader guided by the community’s culture and accountable to nearly fifty years of mission.

      Case Study: Scaling Operations for Wool & Company with Transformative Leadership

      One of the country’s fastest-growing independent yarn retailers had scaled on organic growth and service alone. We placed an operations leader who could put structure behind a beloved brand without dulling what made it loved.

      Case Study: Propelling Retail Analytics Leadership for Market Performance Group (MPG)

      A business consulting and services firm needed visionary leadership for its retail insights division. We placed an executive with a record of driving growth and transformation, and we did it in record time.

      Case Study: CEO Search for Signal Financial Federal Credit Union

      A Washington-area credit union serving more than twenty thousand members needed a chief executive. We placed a CEO who could grow a member-owned institution without losing the service culture that built it.

      Case Study: Fruitist – Head of Tax

      A rapidly scaling global produce enterprise faced increasingly complex international operations across multiple markets. We placed a Head of Tax who could build compliance infrastructure ahead of the growth rather than behind it.

      Case Study: Bluum – Chief Operating Officer

      A private-equity-backed provider of classroom technology reaching millions of students daily needed a chief operating officer. We placed a COO who could scale delivery across North America while the sponsor’s growth plan ran.

      Case Study: Tulalip Tribal Federal Corporation, Chief Executive Officer

      A tribal economic development corporation diversifying beyond gaming faced a significant leadership gap. We placed a chief executive to drive sustainable, non-gaming growth and long-term economic independence for the community it serves.

      Case Study: Private Equity Portfolio Company Boards

      An investment firm builds every portfolio company board around six outside industry executives rather than its own partners. We recruited the directors and chairs that structure demands, search after search, across multiple portfolio companies.

      Case Study: ESOP Board Refresh

      A billion-dollar, employee-owned manufacturer and distributor set out to refresh its board. We recruited directors with industry-leading building supply experience to guide strategy for the employees who actually own the company.

      Case Study: Unico Properties – Head of Tax

      A real estate investment and operating firm managing roughly seventeen million square feet needed a Head of Tax. We placed one fluent in the structures behind decades of sponsored investment vehicles.

      Case Study: Okland Construction’s Chief People Officer

      A family-owned construction company more than a century old needed its people strategy to catch up with its growth. We placed a Chief People Officer who aligned culture and business goals without rewriting either.

      Case Study: Roundstone’s Chief Marketing Officer Search

      A health benefits innovator pioneering medical group captives for small and mid-sized employers needed a CMO. We placed a marketing leader who could explain a genuinely new model to a skeptical market.

      Case Study: Strategic Recruitment of VP of Marketing

      A technology provider to the self-storage industry wanted sharper market positioning and wider reach. We placed a VP of Marketing who understood both the integrated software and the operators who actually buy it.

      Case Study: Roof Doctors Strategic Head of Sales Recruitment

      A growing roofing services company had revenue and territory targets its sales leadership could not reach. We placed a Head of Sales with the experience to expand both, at the moment the business most needed it.

      Case Study: Executive Search for Photonis Defense, Inc.

      A rapidly expanding defense manufacturer working to high-precision standards needed an Executive Director of Operations. We placed a leader who could lift operational capability and strengthen the executive team at the same time.

      Case Study: Executive Search for Wesco’s Chief Information Officer

      A paint and equipment supplier with more than two hundred North American locations needed to modernize decades-old technology. We placed a Chief Information Officer to lead that work across automotive, industrial and aerospace markets.

      Case Study: Executive Recruitment for Global X ETFs

      A pioneer in thematic investing and income ETFs needed executive leadership to match its global reach. We recruited for a firm running more than a hundred funds across four continents, in a relentlessly competitive talent market.

      Case Study: Executive Search for Chief Financial Officer at Wausau Supply

      An employee-owned manufacturer and distributor needed a CFO with Fortune 100 manufacturing experience who would still fit an ownership culture built on its people. We found the rare candidate who was credibly both.

      Case Study: CFO Executive Search for Addition Financial

      A billion-dollar-plus Florida credit union needed a chief financial officer with real industry experience, not a general finance hire. We placed a CFO to guide strategy for a member-owned institution at scale.

      Case Study: Recruiting an Operations Counsel for Adapt Health

      A multi-state home medical equipment provider was expanding faster than its legal support could follow. We placed an Operations Counsel to handle healthcare regulatory complexity across every division and state it serves.

      Case Study: Recruiting a Government Affairs Professional for Total Wine

      America’s largest independent fine wine and spirits retailer was expanding across state lines into a thicket of alcohol regulation. We placed a government affairs professional fluent in local, state and federal rules.

      Case Study: Head of Capital Markets – Solar Energy

      The nation’s first consumer lending platform for solar energy was scaling fast and needed to diversify its capital sources. We placed a Head of Capital Markets to fuel the loan program and protect consumer rates.

      Research and Resources

      Research is core to how we work. We challenge industry assumptions and publish what we find. Whether a search is imminent or a year out, these are the two we hand to boards most often.

      LEADERSHIP

       

      Shawn Cole, President

      Shawn is a trusted leader in executive search, known for his ability to drive success through strategic leadership. With over 20 years of experience founding and leading successful companies, he has been frequently quoted in Forbes, Fortune, Bloomberg, and The Wall Street Journal. Shawn’s deep business acumen and forward-thinking approach make him a key partner

      Ash Wendt, President

      As a founding partner of Cowen Partners, Ash Wendt has drawn on his career experience in sales and executive recruiting to build a vibrant, dynamic firm. His results-driven approach is rooted in discipline and strength of purpose and the belief that Cowen Partners fulfills a need across industries. He excels in developing strategic processes to

      Jacob Gamble, Principal, Head of Family Office Practice

      Jacob Gamble is a Principal at Cowen Partners Executive Search and Head of Steward, the firm’s family office practice. He advises ultra-high-net-worth families, family offices, foundations, and private investment organizations on leadership, succession, governance, and executive team construction. What distinguishes Jacob’s perspective is that he spent more than two decades operating inside the environments he

      Shelby Varon, Managing Director

      Shelby Varon is an executive search professional with a strong track record of building senior leadership teams that drive strategic growth and long-term success. She brings a consultative, relationship-driven approach to every engagement, helping organizations identify and place transformative leaders across the C-suite and key functional areas. Before joining Cowen Partners Executive Search, Shelby worked at

      Allison Cox, Director Executive Search

      Allison Cox is an accomplished executive recruiter with a proven track record of placing VP to C-suite leaders in public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Using a strategic and consultative approach, Allison excels at finding and engaging hard-to-reach talent, ensuring a seamless match between candidates and clients’ unique needs. She balances urgency and quality, delivering top-tier

      Emily Thomas, Director Executive Search

      Emily Thomas helps organizations build high-performing leadership teams by identifying and recruiting exceptional VP- to C-suite executives across finance, accounting, operations, healthcare, private equity-backed, family-owned, and growth-oriented organizations. As a Director, Executive Search with Cowen Partners Executive Search, she partners closely with boards, CEOs, founders, and executive leadership teams to solve critical talent challenges. Her

      Gabe Sparks, Director Executive Search

      Gabe Sparks drives executive search at Cowen Partners Executive Search, specializing in sourcing and placing C-suite leaders across a diverse range of industries. Known for a consultative and results-driven approach, Gabe partners closely with boards and executive teams to secure transformative talent that aligns with each client’s unique strategy and culture. Before joining Cowen Partners,

      Krista Joy, Director of Executive Search

      Krista Joy is a Director of Executive Search at Cowen Partners Executive Search, where she leads and executes executive searches across a wide range of industries. Krista is a dedicated Senior Recruiting Professional with over 10 years of experience connecting exceptional talent with leading organizations. Guided by the foundational belief that relationships matter, Krista leverages

      Mary Heiman, Director of Executive Search

      Mary Heiman is an executive recruiter and trusted talent advisor to Boards, CEOs, and senior leadership teams. She specializes in identifying and attracting high-impact executives who can help organizations scale, transform, and compete in complex markets. With experience across executive search, technology recruiting, finance, consulting, Fortune 100 technology organizations, and high-growth companies, Mary brings a strategic,

      Loredana Sainato, Director of Client Services

      Loredana Sainato is Director of Client Services at Cowen Partners Executive Search, with a background in business development, client relations, and operational leadership.

      Emily Flaesgarten, Director of Executive Search

      Emily Flaesgarten is Director of Executive Search at Cowen Partners Executive Search, placing VP and C-suite leaders across the law, real estate, and nonprofit spaces.

      Our Core Values

      Five commitments every search is held to.

      EthicsWe operate with integrity and always do what is best for both candidates and clients.
      CommitmentEverything we do is done on behalf of the client, and with urgency.
      ProfessionalismWe represent ourselves, our clients and our candidates in a professional manner, always.
      ConfidentialityOur recruiters act as trusted advisors, keeping all information 100% confidential.
      AccessExceptional leadership comes from a broad range of backgrounds. We make sure clients see the full market.

      Community and Citizenship

      Giving back is emblematic of who we are, and it reflects the values of the firm.

      Pro Bono Executive SearchWe run searches pro bono for organizations advancing social issues, so mission-driven boards reach the same caliber of leader as anyone else.
      Community ServiceOur consultants and staff have raised millions for charity and donated thousands of hours, from food and gift drives to fundraising events.
      Women Enriching BusinessA network built for growth, opportunity and advancement across our client and candidate community.
      Environmental SustainabilityA fully remote firm with sustainable operations, and a partner to clients working through complex environmental challenges.

      Where We Show Up

      Charity galas we sponsor and bid at, and industry forums where our partners lead the session rather than sit in it.

      Join Our Nationally Ranked Executive Search Firm

      Do you have what it takes to find and recruit world-class executive talent for our clients?

      An Innovative Workspace

      At Cowen Partners Executive Search, we take pride in staying at the forefront of executive recruiting. We invest heavily in tools that support research, and our methods are continually redesigned, tested, and improved. We aren’t afraid to try new executive recruiting strategies and explore new ideas. Part of the reason our firm is nationally ranked is that we listen to our executive recruiters, carefully reviewing their feedback and giving them a voice in the company.

      An Opportunity for Growth

      When you become an executive recruiter at Cowen Partners Executive Search, you enter a stable career path with numerous opportunities for growth. We understand you want to be challenged and to continue growing professionally. When you join our team, you’ll have the chance to lead unique client projects that will not only help clients successfully grow their business but will also keep you engaged with your work. If you’re looking for an exciting challenge with plenty of rewards, we have a plethora of opportunities for you to tackle.

      The Perfect Work/Life Balance

      To work hard, we believe our employees need flexibility and rest, which is why we offer generous paid time off and a fully remote work environment. A healthy work/life balance is crucial to our employees’ happiness and makes it easier for everyone to do their jobs well.

      Our remote-first model provides meaningful benefits:

      • Flexibility That Fits Your Life: Work from anywhere and design your schedule around what matters most to you
      • Eliminate Commute Stress: Reclaim hours each week previously lost to commuting—time you can spend with family, pursuing personal interests, or simply recharging
      • Environmental Impact: By working remotely, our team collectively reduces carbon emissions, contributing to a more sustainable future
      • Adaptable Work Hours: Flexible scheduling allows you to work when you’re most productive while maintaining healthy boundaries

      We’ve created a modern remote work culture where employees can feel supported, stay connected with teammates, and take advantage of the autonomy that comes with location independence. Whether you prefer working from a home office, a co-working space, or while traveling, you have the freedom to choose what works best for you.

      A Competitive Compensation

      To recruit the best talent for our clients, we need top talent working for our firm, which is why Cowen Partners Executive Search offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package to senior executive recruiters. We recognize the talent and experience you bring to the table, and we know you deserve fair compensation for your skills. Along with a generous salary, Cowen Partners Executive Search provides the resources and technology you need to be successful in your remote position. Together with a distributed team, you can work to achieve great things for our clients. Your hard work will also be recognized by our company through bonuses and other forms of compensation.

      An Equitable Workplace

      Cowen Partners Executive Search is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We want employees to feel valued and safe being their true selves, regardless of where they work. Respect is of the utmost importance at Cowen Partners Executive Search, and we strive to build a remote culture that fosters empowerment and a sense of belonging among our employees.

      We believe different perspectives bring new ideas and innovative methods for achieving success. Our remote-first approach expands our ability to hire talented recruiters from diverse backgrounds and geographies, enriching our team with varied experiences and viewpoints. If you have a unique perspective to bring to the table, we want you on our team.

      Schedule a Call.

      Fill out the email request form to speak with an executive recruiter.