NU Thoughts
What a transformative year we’ve navigated together. From political unrest to economic fluctuations—not to mention the groundbreaking advancements in generative AI—this year truly has been a rollercoaster. And amidst these waves of change, we celebrated the first anniversary of NU Advisory Partners, a milestone that marks just the beginning of our journey.
The executive search industry has encountered its fair share of turbulence over the last 12-18 months, and rightly so. In an era that champions innovation, the notion that industries which have remained unchanged for more than 50 years can continue to thrive without adaptation is a fading mirage. It’s an industry ripe for disruption, and we’re here for it.
At NU Advisory Partners, we’re not just observers—we’re pioneers. We’re reimagining the blueprint for executive search with a bold vision that’s supported by the unparalleled strength of our team. We’re not just responding to change—we’re leading it. Our commitment to innovation and excellence is how we’ll help you navigate your greatest executive challenges.
I’m eagerly looking forward to engaging with each of you as we explore new possibilities and solutions. Together, let’s embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. Here’s to forging new paths in the year to come!
-Nada Usina, CEO and Co-founder
| PRIVATE EQUITY |
| SPORTS |
| EDTECH & EDUCATION |
| MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT |
| TECHNOLOGY & AI |
| BOARD & CEO |
| CFO & FINANCE |
| CHRO/CPO |
| CRO |
Deepening our CFO Expertise and Expanding our Focus
This year, three dynamic consultants have joined the NU team, all with deep experience recruiting senior financial leaders. Our work with private equity investors has highlighted how important financial acumen is to the C-Suite today. Yet we know that the competition for the best talent is keener than ever.
Our NU finance team has an unmatched track record of identifying and recruiting chief financial officers and other financial professionals.
Greg Brown is our first CFO consultant. He is a former Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and comes to us from ICONIQ Growth, a top-tier technology investment firm where he advised portfolio company CEOs and Co-Founders on recruiting and nurturing finance talent.
“The opportunity to join the incredibly talented team at NU coupled with building tech and innovation into the aged-old executive search process was exactly what I was looking for at this stage in my career.”
Greg works hand-in-hand with Jen Ringoen who joins us from True Search where she was a Partner in San Francisco and recruited top financial leaders for many of the most prominent companies in Silicon Valley and beyond. Jen operates with the rapid metabolism—or, as she puts it, “hustle” and forward thinking advisory approach— that defines the NU culture.
“From the moment I met Nada Usina and the founding team of NU, I was blown away by their boldness, leadership, and tenacity,” Jen says. “Only a year in, NU is shaking up the executive search industry in a big way.”
Mike Faust also joined the team this past year. Mike spent years at Amazon, specializing in recruiting finance leaders across all of Amazon’s business lines.
Whether your organization needs a CFO or an entire finance team, NU not only knows, but can recruit the talent that can lead you through the most difficult financial challenges for your organization.
We now have more than 20 members of the team around the country, with a diverse array of backgrounds and industry expertise. Read about all of us here.
TECHNOLOGY
Our NU Vision of Executive Search in the Age of AI
Rapid deployment of artificial intelligence, writes Nada Usina, our CEO and Co-founder, is central to what makes NU a different kind of search firm. We don’t expect that the technology will replace experienced search consultants, she explains, but rather, AI will empower us to extend the reach of our human judgment.
It’s Time to Focus on Internal Tools
Jared Cohen, our COO, describes how we have been accumulating a portfolio of seemingly small technology timesavers that already are adding up to big increases in productivity.
NuBot is born
Jared describes NuBot, our very own AI system. Its first task has been to help our team members find the information they need.
TALENT TRENDS
Private Equity: Fast Pace, Focus on Finance, and a New Appreciation of HR
More than half of our assignments at NU are for portfolio companies owned by private equity investors. Mar Hernandez, a Partner and Co-founder, writes about how PE firms are placing a new emphasis on human resources leaders and what sort of executive does best in a PE-owned company.
Sports: Booming Business and New Relationships Across Industries
The professional sports industry is getting even more professional, write Libby Naumes, Partner and Co-founder, and Jay Hussey, a partner. There is an explosion in the types of revenue teams and leagues can tap into, so they are looking for leaders with broader experience, often from media and technology companies.
APRIL 15-17, 2024 | SAN DIEGO
ASU+GSV Summit
Meredith Rosenberg, Partner and Co-founder – “Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: Accessibility in Innovation”
Meredith will lead a panel discussion on how forward-thinking companies are embedding accessibility into their products from the start. April 15 at 2:10pm either live in San Diego or via livestream.
Meredith Rosenberg, Partner and Co-founder – “Pioneering Inclusivity and Innovation: A Conversation with Jenny Lay-Flurrie”
A fireside chat with Jenny Lay-Flurrie, the Vice President and Chief Accessibility Officer of Microsoft. April 15 at 3:50pm either live in San Diego or via livestream.
NU Advisory Partners with William Blair – “Stars Track at ASU+GSV Summit”
NU Advisory Partners is co-hosting the Stars Track program, April 16-17, focused on gathering CEOs of 20 of the most important EdTech companies.
MAY 23, 2024 | HARVARD CLUB, NEW YORK
Hunt Scanlon PE Operating Partners Talent Forum
Nada Usina, CEO and Co-founder –“ How AI Will Change Executive Search and its Impact on PE Hiring”
AI technologies are developing rapidly but are still in their infancy and, today, executive search firms and talent acquisition organizations are grappling with how to leverage this emerging technology into their workflows and business models while not losing sight of their core value proposition. NU Advisory Partners’ co-founder and CEO, Nada Usina, will share her search firm’s insights and approach to making well-informed investments into AI and other technology platforms. She will discuss why these investments can be another impactful tool for value creation, particularly for the private equity sector. Nada will also provide NU Advisory’s view of core AI use-cases in executive search and give an overview of the emerging ecosystem of software tools and platforms that enable them.
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