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Our Team

Built to bring you the solution you need

Our team

Felix is built on the philosophical belief that the best solutions are the result of collaboration. It follows then that truly transformative solutions come from the collaboration of truly visionary experts. Our team is constructed of those experts whose expertise best matches your needs, to produce the transformative solution you need. We look forward to meeting you.

Office Manager

Maggie Adams

Maggie joined The C-Suite Advisory (formerly Shields Meneley Partners) in 2020 as an administrative assistant. Her role has grown since and she is now the Office Manager at Felix. In this position, Maggie oversees all administrative duties, supports Felix directors and supports executive clients through their transition programs. Maggie ensures efficient operations of the office and is partnered with the IT department to ensure security compliance at Felix.

She currently manages the onboarding of all executive clients and assists in the onboarding of new Felix employees and consultants. Maggie works closely with the IT department to monitor operational procedures using a compliance management system to ensure that Felix adheres to all legal regulations, ethical and IT security standards.

Having held positions in the medical field and customer service, Maggie is able to tailor her skills to meet the needs of any client. She is dedicated to helping others and enjoys taking on new challenges.

Maggie grew up in the Chicagoland area with her parents and sister Katie. She graduated from DePaul University with a B.A. in communications, majoring in public relations and advertising.

  • Dog Mom to a Dachshund-Maltese Mix, a “Moxie”, named Winston.
  • Ohio State Football and Chicago Bears Fan.
  • Antique Book Collector.

Contact Info:

312.994.9500
madams@felixglobal.com

Managing Director

Stephanie Benesh

Stephanie’s award-winning outward mindset approach to leadership and the client experience is what has made her a dynamic talent development expert. With over twenty years of leadership experience and team management in a variety of fast paced and ever-changing environments, she has gained a true understanding of how to build great teams through leadership agility, effective communication, and emotional intelligence. Her experience spans many industries, including television production, retail, healthcare, and technology. Stephanie has an innate curiosity to learn and understand what drives teams. Her constant pursuit towards a standard of excellence, and her engaging communication and facilitation style have been the foundation of meaningful client and consultant relationships.

As a true connector, Stephanie works meticulously to understand an organization’s needs and to strategically match them with the best coach or facilitator. Her vast expertise and equal interest in behavioral assessments and the human ability to change is the catalyst to help clients discover and clearly articulate those challenges and changes that are necessary to improve their own effectiveness and team performance. This ultimately increases their quality of life within the workplace. Stephanie is certified and accredited to work in individual, group and team settings with a variety of Level B behavioral assessments. These assessments are used with the intention of building client self-awareness and developmental tools to move clients and organizations forward.

Stephanie’s passion is to help improve the quality of life for others. Drawing from personal experience, empathy for others, and expertise in connecting people, Stephanie volunteers her time and effort towards patient advocacy for both rare autoimmune disease and breast cancer patients. When she is not helping others, you can find Stephanie chauffeuring her active daughters to a softball field or tennis court, working in the yard with her husband, at a professional sporting event or attending a live music event with friends.

  • Wife, mom, chauffeur.
  • Chicago sports fan, especially my kids’ teams.
  • Avid learner.

Contact Info:

708-254-2030
sbenesh@felixglobal.com

Chief Operating Officer

Megan D’Aguilar

Megan is driven by people and process, with a key focus on strategic growth. She brings over 15 years of experience in the talent space, drawing on a background in education, adult learning, and business operations, combined with a drive for continually improving operational efficiency and team performance.

As Chief Operating Officer, Megan is responsible for all corporate operations across Felix’s Canadian and US business, with a focus on optimizing processes, improving team performance, and driving strategic growth for the firm.

Joining Felix in 2015, Megan has played a hands-on role in each area of the business. Working closely with corporate customers, relationship managers, delivery teams, and external partners at both the solution and enterprise level, she has an in-depth knowledge of the business drivers that impact our success. On a strategic level, she has played a key role in both the organic and acquisitional growth of Felix; aligning strategy, people and process integration, organizational change management, and enterprise technology implementation to further growth and performance. In direct service to our clients, she has led large-scale restructuring events, developed agile learning and development programs, evaluated and implemented learning management systems, and facilitated impactful workshops.

With years of international work experience, Megan has a deep understanding of the critical factors that shape a meaningful employee experience, including the power and potential of diverse teams. By focusing on the most impactful drivers of organizational learning, Megan accelerates the growth of a diverse company culture that maximizes innovation and efficiency with optimal team dynamics.

Megan is a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) holding both a Bachelor of Education and a Human Resources Management certificate.

  • Past resident of Taiwan.
  • Half-marathon competitor.
  • West Coast Trail hiker.

Contact Info:

416-512-7244 ext. 260
mdaguilar@felixglobal.com

President

Marc Detampel

Marc is focused on recruiting and talent management solutions for clients in Professional Services and Technology, Telecommunications and Wire & Cable. As an expert in human capital and organizational strategy, he services CHROs and his ideas have been featured on CNN, Business Finance Magazine, New Thinking and World Press.

Throughout his career, Marc has held several leadership positions at professional services and management consulting firms. Some of these roles include Managing Director with Alvarez and Marsal’s Corporate Performance Improvement Practice in Chicago, Practice Leader for HR Performance Improvement in the Midwest at EY, Partner in the Talent and Organization Performance solution at Accenture and Managing Director of PwC’s Talent Management and HR Effectiveness national solution.

Prior to PwC, Marc was the North American Practice Leader for Management Consulting and the Global Leader for Human Capital Solutions at BearingPoint. Marc was responsible for P/L within Management Consulting and ultimately accountable for client relations and quality of solutions. Marc helped transition the BearingPoint Management Consulting team and client base over to PwC.

When he’s not diving into talent solutions with his customers, Marc is keeping fit with boxing or circuit training and taking pride in watching his three sons play football.

  • Avid Green Bay Packers and Tottenham HotSpur supporter.
  • Sports of all kinds – especially watching his three sons play football.
  • Fitness through boxing and circuit training.

Contact Info:

773-771-4374
mdetampel@felixglobal.com

VP, Business Development

Garrett DuPont

Garrett is a dynamic business leader with over 15 years of experience spanning human resources strategy, talent management and business development across a variety of industries. Known for his innovative approach to solving organizational challenges, Garrett excels at bridging business objectives with talent strategies. His career highlights include building non-profit leadership teams, launching organization-wide initiatives at Target and Amazon, and developing high-performing consultants to drive positive change. At the core of his work is commitment to people and lasting relationships. 

At Felix, Garrett is focused on driving growth. He serves CEOs, CHROs and senior leaders in reaching short and long-term goals. A few of Garrett’s recent partnerships have directly led to outcomes in leading the development of a scalable workforce solution, initiating a company-wide employee engagement program for a global organization, and supporting the rebuild of an entire human resources function.  

Outside of his professional accomplishments, Garrett is deeply committed to personal growth and community engagement. He is a Guest Experience Director at Eagle Brook Church and leads a team of over 20 volunteers. Garrett is also active in the Minnesota Change Management Network and serves Minnesota’s robust business community.  

Garrett is a lifelong learner and a self-professed athlete who loves to spend his free time reading the newest self-development articles and books, running long distance races, and longboarding across Minneapolis. Most importantly, Garrett is a family-focused husband and father. His wife and children are his favorite people in this entire world. 

  • Husband & Dad x3
  • Ice bath enthusiast
  • Music (vinyl) junkie

Contact Info:

866-995-0065
Gdupont@felixglobal.com

Marketing Manager

Natalia Espinosa

Natalia Espinosa is a dynamic marketing professional with a diverse career spanning fashion, finance, healthcare, and startups. As the former editor-in-chief/Creative Director of a lifestyle platform focused on cancer, and has honed her marketing, storytelling, and content creation skills. Most recently, Natalia has spent the last nine months freelancing as a Marketing Director, specializing in propelling companies through strategic email marketing and digital enhancement.

With a knack for dynamic strategy implementation, Natalia excels in boosting productivity and visibility through innovative design solutions. Her expertise lies in crafting compelling digital campaigns, e-newsletters, and presentations that captivate audiences and drive results. Natalia has a deep understanding of customer needs,and is motivated to deliver innovative solutions that increase sales and profitability,

Outside of work, she is an avid DIY enthusiast and family-focused individual, balancing creativity with a fulfilling personal life.

  • Wife & Mom
  • DIY Enthusiast
  • Loves to cook

Contact Info:

866-995-0065
nespinosa@felixglobal.com

Manager

Kelly Erbe

Kelly Erbe is a Wisconsinite and UW – Milwaukee Alumni who has called Denver, CO, home since 2018. Kelly has been honing her Executive Recruitment, Relationship Management, Sales, and Marketing skills for the most recent 6.5+ years with a National Executive Search & Professional Recruitment firm specializing in Multifamily Affordable Housing and the Tax Credit industries, a very mission-driven and rewarding niche. Kelly has been responsible for full cycle recruiting efforts for retained and opportunistic searches with top-ranked, award-winning national firms and has also been successful in engaging and retaining her own clients with several of them becoming repeat clients.

Kelly is skilled in identifying and securing high-target professionals for impactful opportunities through developing strategic knowledge of leading companies and competitors, what unique services different firms offer, and nuances of different shops and how those relate to the potential alignment with the client/candidate and the overall company structure and culture.

Kelly consistently makes every effort to exceed the expectations of her clients and business partners and is highly engaged in her execution. She values a collaborative and team-oriented approach and working with energetic, passionate colleagues. Kelly has been recognized and praised for her quality of work, proactive approach, and cultivating strong partnerships.

  • Plant and flower enthusiast; animal lover
  • Avidly working to become a more consistent bookworm and outdoor runner
  • Enjoys being in the kitchen whether cooking, baking, or eating!

 

Contact Info:

312-497-9935
kerbe@felixglobal.com

EVP, Business Development

Natalie Forward

Natalie brings 25+ years of experience working in recruitment, outsourcing, sales, leadership and client services roles across the recruitment, technology and human capital space. Natalie is a passionate and driven individual who helps her clients solve complex talent challenges, while keeping a focus on the organization’s business goals. Throughout her career, she has built recruitment and sales teams, and has served as a high-performing individual contributor. The basic principle in all her work is finding solutions to business problems by leveraging every organization’s greatest asset: their people!

Natalie’s recent engagements include designing solutions related to workforce planning, talent selection, employee engagement, emotional intelligence, leadership development and navigating and executing on modern recruitment strategies that have supported explosive growth for her clients and their organizations leading to increased revenue and profitability. As Vice President, Natalie is responsible for sales and business development aligned with Felix’s strategy, driving customer satisfaction and retention, contributing to growth and development to the firm and industry insights through strategic planning.

Giving back to her community is very important to Natalie. She is a Metro Milwaukee SHRM member, sits on the HR Executive Insights Committee, TEMPO Member, Mentor Circle Participant and Professional Development Committee Chair. Natalie is also part of the MMAC & and she served as the emcee for ALM Chicago. Natalie is part of the school advisory committee for her local, private grade school and she also holds the role of auction chair & capital appeal leader.

In her free time Natalie loves to spend time with her husband and son, celebrate special occasions with family & friends, run & work out, host themed dinner parties and watch “The Great American Baking Show”. Her favorite author is Maya Angelou. After she sunsets her sales career, Natalie will either pursue work as a Food Network Star, Motivational Speaker or Kindergarten teacher.

  • Wife & Mom.
  • Future Food Network Star.
  • Early Morning Riser.

Contact Info:

414.550.3403
nforward@felixglobal.com

Senior Director

Kim Fuller

Kim brings over a decade of experience working in talent acquisition, client services, and HR consulting. Throughout her career, she has built recruiting teams, crafted and delivered impactful talent solutions for high-growth startups to Fortune 100 enterprises within healthcare, manufacturing, aerospace, and professional services sectors. 

In her most recent role with Broadleaf Results, Kim developed and led recruitment strategies for clients, created and oversaw a recruiter training cohort, and managed multiple workstreams for program implementations. Kim’s previous accomplishments include spearheading succession planning and orchestrating end-to-end talent solutions for clients such as Crowe LLP, Merkle, and Frontier Airlines. She also served on the advisory board for Sparrows, a professional networking platform and has spoken on recruiting and career advancement strategies at General Assembly, Parachute Bridge, and The Actor’s Fund. 

Kim is pursuing a BA in Communications at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and has SHRM-CP, PHR, YouMap, and Predictive Index certifications. In her free time, Kim loves to spend time with her family, practice yoga, and get lost in a good book while sipping boba

  • Yoga Instructor
  • Book & Boba Connoisseur
  • Vocalist & Craft Enthusiast

Contact Info:

720-392-4520
kfuller@felixglobal.com

Senior Manager, Client Services

Teresa Gabriele

Teresa is an extremely compassionate and highly precise leader with years of experience managing large-scale development and transformation programs. As Senior Client Service Manager, Teresa leads the execution and delivery of the firm’s Talent Development programs including project planning, implementation, and analytics.

Teresa is committed to providing excellent support by working collaboratively with the Felix team to continually exceed our customers’ needs.

Teresa provides ongoing program and technical support to clients, while delivering against tight timeframes. Her expert computer skills allow Teresa to easily take on the lead role in conducting training for clients and internal staff on the technology and administrative side of each of our tools.

Teresa works extensively on customer-related projects associated with Felix’s suite of assessment tools, including 360°and Facet5™.

Teresa is continually developing and maintaining extensive technical/product knowledge on new additions to the suite of assessment tools/products that Felix offers.

  • Loves To Bake.
  • Cake Pop Artist.
  • Italian Food Connoisseur.

Contact Info:

416-512-7244 ext 200
tgabriele@felixglobal.com

Senior Director

Skyler Gamm

Throughout his 10-year professional services career, Skyler has advised a diverse set of clients on a range of talent and organizational performance challenges. He has supported clients in the manufacturing, aerospace, and professional services industries, spanning sizes of middle market through Fortune 100. With previous HR management consulting roles at Ernst & Young and The Hackett Group, he has led multiple large-scale HR transformation initiatives, spanning from strategy design through implementation.
Skyler is highly skilled in the areas of HR and Talent Strategy, HR Operating Model Optimization, Labor Market Strategy and Shared Services Operations. He prides himself on providing pragmatic partnerships that result in real, measurable change. In his current role, Skyler aims to bring his transformational experiences to improve his clients’ ability to attract and retain the talent they need.
In addition to consulting, Skyler is an independent licensed life & health insurance agent. His free time is spent keeping up with his 3 young children and their sports schedules. He’s an avid runner and enjoys any time spent on the water.

  • Lake Ozark Boat Captain.
  • Professional Dad of 3!
  • Kansas City Chiefs Supporter.

Contact Info:

+1-573-480-7484
sgamm@felixglobal.com

VP, Business Development

Dustin Graham

With a diverse background, Dustin brings over 15 years of professional experience in human capital, organizational performance, and sales. Known for his steadfast commitment to clients, Dustin focuses on solution-oriented advice and driving bottom-line growth. He possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience, having worked with customers across various industries, including finance, healthcare, technology, insurance, manufacturing, and mining.

Throughout his career, Dustin has been recognized for his ability to develop long-term relationships with clients, acting as a trusted advisor and confidant. He has collaborated with small, mid, and large global corporations, offering strategic insights and innovative solutions to organizational challenges.

In addition to his consulting career, Dustin has been a successful entrepreneur, launching and managing a thriving real estate business, and has supported the launch of multiple start-up companies.

When he’s not supporting his clients, Dustin enjoys playing and watching sports, particularly hockey, golf, Formula 1, and baseball. He is also a master scuba diver, avid traveler, amateur woodworker, tech enthusiast, and dedicated father.

  • Master Scuba Diver
  • Sports fan of all kinds – especially hockey, Formula 1, baseball & golf
  • Tech enthusiast

Contact Info:

647-401-4443
dgraham@felixglobal.com

Chief Executive Officer

Jim Graham

Jim’s continued success in building, acquiring and growing people-focused service businesses stems from his love to connect and engage. He is an inspired networker and relationship builder who focuses on cultivating mutual advantages through integrated solutions and customer partnerships and by tapping into his impressive global network. With an extensive career across leadership, sales, and human resources, Jim brings a deep level of insight into talent including Executive Search, Talent Development, Career Management and Organizational Effectiveness. Jim is a national speaker on the human side of outsourcing strategies and a guest lecturer in the field of HR research and entrepreneurial studies.

  • Avid Scuba Diver and Instructor.
  • Underwater Photographer.
  • F1 racing fan and motorcycle enthusiast.

Contact Info:

(312) 20509-0005
jgraham@felixglobal.com

VP, Business Development

Kaitlyn Grant

Kaitlyn is a seasoned Sales professional with over 10 years of experience in Talent Management and Human Capital Management services, with a strong IT background. She takes pride in building personalized client relationships, offering tailored solutions that exceed expectations and foster long-lasting partnerships, driving business success. 

With experience collaborating with organizations of all sizes across diverse industries, Kaitlyn provides expert guidance on workforce optimization, leadership development, and talent acquisition strategies. Her client-focused approach and ability to navigate complex organizational challenges have established her as a trusted advisor to executives and HR leaders. 

Outside of her professional achievements, Kaitlyn enjoys refining her golf skills, exploring new wineries, traveling, and attending sporting events. She is also an active member of communities such as The WIT Network. Kaitlyn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, with minors in Psychology and Women’s Studies, from Western Illinois University. 

  • Passionate about cleaning up our oceans
  • Sushi connoisseur
  • Loves to travel & explore new countries

Contact Info:

866-995-0065
Kgrant@felixglobal.com

Manager

Desiree Julian

Desiree is a human capital consultant with extensive experience in organizational development and HR transformation. Her professional background in Human Resources and HR consulting, paired with a Master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology gives her a multi-faceted skillset to assist clients in achieving their strategic goals. She has worked with clients in the technology & communications, professional services, and finance industries, both domestic and global.

Desiree’s previous HR and Payroll consulting work at “Big Four” firm KPMG within the Human Capital Advisory practice ranges from large-scale transformation projects to HR operating assessments and has equipped her with an agile approach to transformation experiences and a focus on the employee experience. She prides herself on her project management abilities, and as a life-long learner actively works to stay up-to-date on industry best practices. Her former in-industry experience in the Human Resources sphere includes time spent at UKG, SoulCycle, and Equinox.

Originally from Austin Texas, Desiree now resides in Colorado with her fiancé. When not wearing her “consulting hat” Desiree enjoys hiking with her partner and rescue pup in the Rockies, visits to the Denver farmer’s markets, and weekend adventures.

  • Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Lover
  • Avid Farmer’s Market Attendee
  • World Traveller (13 countries and counting

Contact Info:

512-468-3394
djulian@felixglobal.com

Manager

Vicki Layde

Vicki Layde is based in Oshkosh, WI. She is an accomplished talent acquisition and human resources professional with a diverse background in recruiting, employment branding, outplacement and organizational development.

Beginning her career as a 100% commissioned contingent recruiter in Chicago, Vicki excelled for 8 years before transitioning to executive search and private equity research as the Director of Research for Corporate Navigators leading a team of 11. Since then, her experience broadened to include retained executive search leadership and corporate roles within SaaS, Consumer Packaged Goods and Global Manufacturing. She’s particularly passionate about helping companies scale by creating modern, highly efficient recruiting processes and memorable candidate and client experiences.

With a strong network and diverse background, Vicki has demonstrated exceptional skill in building lasting relationships that expand outside of work. Her commitment to education and community outreach is evident through volunteer initiatives aimed at bridging skills gaps, bringing community members together and supporting Wisconsin’s education initiatives.

Studying World Culture and Literature at DePaul University and having served as an Army Medic in the Wisconsin National Guard, Vicki combines a solid educational foundation with decades of practical, hands-on experience that has led to long-lasting and trusting partnerships.

  • Loves adventure
  • Proud mom of 3 rescues dogs
  • Auditioned on a dare with no acting experience and was cast in a four-person play at the oldest theater in Wisconsin

Contact Info:

312-497-9935
Vlayde@felixglobal.com

Industrial Psychologist

Dr. Tom Mason

Tom specializes in executive talent management and team effectiveness, including succession, assessment, development, and coaching. Tom has worked with clients at every level of the leadership pipeline, in just about every industry, on five continents. He has general management experience, having led local and regional business units of up to 100 professional services employees, including degreed professionals.

Tom founded an executive talent management consulting firm in 2012 after nearly 30 years in a variety of consulting and business leadership roles, including vice president, general manager, and region leader with two leading talent management consulting firms. In his spare time, Tom has held visiting or adjunct faculty appointments in business, psychology, and statistics at the University of Tennessee, Rice University, the University of Houston, and Elmhurst University.

Tom is licensed by the state of Tennessee as an industrial organizational psychologist. He received a B.S. in biology and psychology from Elmhurst University (Illinois), and a Ph.D. in industrial and organizational psychology with a minor in statistics from the University of Tennessee. His doctoral dissertation on managerial selection won the International Personnel Management Association annual student paper award.

  • A most amateur golfer
  • Proud empty-nester
  • Building an airplane

Contact Info:

312.994.9500
tom@twmason.com

Senior Director

Kristan McFadden

With 15+ years of experience in management consulting, Kristan has developed deep expertise in organization design, change management, and merger and acquisition integration.

Kristan’s experience extends across diverse industries, including tech, consumer, and retail. She has successfully implemented transformative strategies that prioritize organization design, culture, and people and has led several related projects at Google, Energizer, and Target.

Kristan is passionate about clarifying complex problems and creating an environment where teams take thoughtful risks. She develops strong relationships, prioritizes people, and delivers results using practical approaches.

Most recently, Kristan held a management position with Deloitte’s Human Capital Practice. Prior to Deloitte, Kristan was a Director with Alvarez & Marsal’s Corporate Performance Improvement Practice.

Kristan received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Miami University in Oxford, OH. She lives in Minneapolis with her French bulldog, Riley. Kristan spends time with family and friends, traveling, trying to enhance her culinary skills, and cheering on the Cincinnati Bengals.

  • Travel enthusiast
  • Proud dog mom
  • Pop culture law nerd

Contact Info:

312-497-9935
kmcfadden@felixglobal.com

Managing Director

Laurie Melissen

As Senior Director, Laurie supports key sales, marketing, and business activities in alignment with firm strategy and account plans to help support customer needs and drive customer satisfaction. Laurie uses creative, dynamic, and customized strategies to build on long standing relationships within various industries and organizations – she loves her customers, past, present and future.Being part of the leadership team at Felix, Laurie contributes to the growth and development of the firm through identification and planning of business strategies, products, and industry insights. Laurie collaborates with all practice leaders to craft specific talent solutions based on customer needs through the breadth of Felix’s offerings.

  • Wine Lover.
  • Soccer Star.
  • #1 Mom to Marcus and Evangeline.

Contact Info:

416-512-7244 ext. 438
lmelissen@felixglobal.com

Managing Director

Andrew Norrie

Andrew’s first role in executive search began in 1998.  As his career in the industry evolved, he started his own firm in 2007 which rose to #42 in the “Top 50” firms in North America, at which point Andrew sold the company.  During his ten years of leading the strategic growth of the business, he helped many prominent organizations define their leadership talent requirements and identify and place key executives in critical roles.  Over the next several years, Andrew built Forward Path Group, a boutique firm that specialized in executive search and outsourced human resources.  This firm also grew to be one of the “Top 50” search firms in Canada.

In 2022, Andrew proudly joined Felix and brings a deep understanding of the organizational capabilities of a company. He has been a trusted advisor on talent to many key executives and entrepreneurs enabling them to accelerate revenue growth and expansion. He has also sat on several Boards including Bright Blue Wave, Help Wanted App, and Equity Wine Group. His entrepreneurial spirit, strategic capabilities, and 25+ years of demonstrated success in executive search offer significant value to clients and make him one of North America’s top recruitment professionals.

Andrew has a Bachelor of Arts in History from Trent University as well as a Master’s Degree in Leadership from the University of Guelph.  In 2003, he was awarded the Canadian Human Resources Professional designation from the Human Resources Professionals Association.

  • Avid Wine Collector.
  • Dedicated Father.
  • Lover of Music.

Contact Info:

416.735.4060
anorrie@felixglobal.com

Senior Executive Coach

Deborah O’Donnell

Deborah is an Executive Coach and Leadership Development professional with more than 20 years of experience enhancing the performance of executives, teams and organizations.

Deborah specializes in developing executives to optimize their career and leadership performance, while assisting them in enhancing their reputation and their ability to succeed at the highest level. She helps leaders visualize their goals and envision how they will thrive in both work and in life. She coaches leaders to clarify and validate expectations, while helping them build relationships with key stakeholders, build cohesive teams and create a plan of action to achieve a positive and visible impact.

Her background includes owning her own executive coaching practice for 17 years and working as a career transition consultant to several leadership and outplacement firms. Deborah is an adjunct faculty member at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, where she coaches and educates students and alumni on the topics of career management and leadership development. She has coached managers to c-suiteC-suite executives from diverse industries, including, Healthcare, Pharma, Entertainment, Advertising, Manufacturing, Law, Marketing, Accounting, and Finance, amongst others. She also worked 11 years as the National Operations Manager at Randstad Staffing Services, where she managed, trained and coached 47 offices across the country in all areas of career management, executive coaching and leadership development. Her training and education provide her with a unique perspective and insight that allow her to build credibility, comfort and trust with seasoned executives.

Deborah has also had the privilege of working as the Director of the Wellness Council of Indiana, where she was able to combine her passion for health and wellness with her passion for coaching executives. In this role she provided executive coaching to hospital administrators, physicians, and steel mill executives. She developed her skills for giving excellent customer service through her experience at the Walt Disney Company in Orlando, Florida, where she worked as a Guest Relations Specialist and as an Executive Assistant to the President and CEO. As a coach, Deborah is committed to helping her clients maximize their potential, identify their interests, and develop their careers. Deborah grew up in Indiana and earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Journalism and Public Relations and her Master’s Degree in Business Management from Ball State University in Muncie, IN. She is an International Coach Federation (ICF) Certified Coach, PCC.

  • Devoted to Family and Friends.
  • Health and Fitness Enthusiast.
  • Passionate Traveler.

Contact Info:

312-798-7404
dodonnell@felixglobal.com

Director

Laura O’Grady

Laura brings over 11 years of recruitment, sales, consulting, and leadership to the Executive Search team. Through her diverse industry background, she has worked with clients across a wide range of sectors including, insurance, technology, industrial, telecommunications and public sector. In her role, Laura works closely with candidates and clients to strategize the best fit. Laura has full sales cycle capabilities from starting with a cold call, to closing the sale and recruiting on those needs and future roles. She has a consultative approach to candidates and clients alike to help grow and nurture those opportunities. She provides guidance and champions the execution of talent programs in coordination with clients.

She has extensive experience with executive assessment, succession planning, and high-potential identification and development. She has the proven ability to develop and build long-lasting relationships with clients and candidates alike through honest and productive conversation and results.

In her free time, Laura loves to spend time with her husband, daughter and the family dog. She enjoys going on hikes, portage/camping and travelling to unique places around the world. Laura is fortunate to have family living in wonderful areas around the world that they like to visit such as Guernsey (Channel Islands), Newfoundland, the sunny state of Florida and others. Laura actively supports and volunteers for local charities and currently supports, Pack a Bag and Home at Last Cat Rescue.

  • Passion for travel to fun and unique places.
    Excellent home chef.
  • Mom to daughter Verity and the family pets Olympus (German Shepherd) and Money Penny (rescue cat).

Contact Info:

519-831-5441
logrady@felixglobal.com

Managing Director

Susan Richardson

Susan Richardson is a passionate and results-focused practice leader, executive coach, facilitator, and board member with an Executive MBA from Harvard and over 30 years of experience. Susan’s personal mission is to tap into her client’s strengths and inspire them to embrace and excel in purposeful leadership in every facet of their professional and personal life.

Susan is a dedicated partner to all her customers and works closely with them on a regular basis to solve their critical business challenges with proactive solutions that get enduring results, fast.

Susan has had an impressively diverse career built on a strong management foundation with 14 years at IBM and 5 years in two software start-ups as a senior executive which has provided her experience in IT, insurance, finance, and telecom. Through decades of learning and experience, Susan honed her focus on the areas she’s most passionate about — leadership development, emerging leaders, sponsorship, and diversity & change initiatives — all tied together by the common thread of empowerment.

Susan’s drive to enrich the lives of others and empower leaders to be their best selves is a calling that transcends her working life. As a champion for development, Susan is a frequent traveller to Africa where she shares her lifetime of leadership training

  • Non-profit Board Member.
  • Avid Cyclist & Swimmer.
  • Kawartha Cottaging Enthusiast.

Contact Info:

416-434-0849
srichardson@felixglobal.com

Managing Director

Bob Ryan

Bob advises C-Level executives in transition and in-position, impacting their performance, careers, and lives.

Bob is a business leader and executive advisor at the C-Suite Advisory – a unique and specialized practice of Felix – helping senior executives with career transitions, post-corporate life, and in-position leadership development. Throughout Bob’s career in business, including roles at P&G, Bombardier, Tate & Lyle, and Griffith Foods, he has been known as “Coach.” As advisor for all levels of the organizations, he helped develop leaders and future leaders – his passion for more than 30 years. In 2014, Bob pivoted from the corporate world to coaching and advising executives full-time as an owner of Shields Meneley Partners. He brings a unique perspective to the table with an education in engineering and several decades of experience as a human resource leader.

Bob served on his first corporate board, Madison-Kipp Corp., until the sale of the firm. He is a Managing Director of The Sierra Institute, an “invitation-only” group of senior CHROs whose mission is the advancement of their organizations, the HR community and each other. He has held numerous not-for-profit board positions in the arts, economic development, human resources, and the Union League Club of Chicago where he is currently an Officer. Bob is also a member of the Executive Club of Chicago and the Chicago Chamber of Commerce.

Born in Montreal, Bob attended college at McGill and Carleton Universities. He is an ICF-certified coach, graduating from the Hudson Institute of Coaching in Santa Barbara, California. Bob brings a global viewpoint having lived and held positions in four different countries including France, Canada, and the UK. He is an American and Canadian citizen.

Bob is a wine enthusiast and a Level 1 Sommelier. He lives in Chicagoland with his wife, Viki, a well-being coach. Bob has two daughters, both with careers in HR.

  • Grandson Auggie’s BFF.
  • Wine Enthusiast.
  • Loyal Jays, Habs, Bears and Hawks fan

Contact Info:

312-909-4791
bobryan@felixglobal.com

Managing Director

Hugh Shields

As a Master Coach, Hugh is one of the top leadership and career coaches in business today. His clients appreciate his peer-to-peer “straight talk” way of helping them see, own, and overcome their leadership blind spots. The result is that clients are better able to achieve the results they want for their careers and the organizations they lead. Clients include AON, Baxter, Deloitte Consulting, Dow Chemical, Exelon, Motorola, Northern Trust, PepsiCo, Quaker Oats, R.R. Donnelley, and W.W. Grainger.

Hugh has extensive P&L, strategy development, sales & marketing, and operations experience in a variety of industries including professional services, specialty chemicals, electronics and controls, and electrical products. He ran Valspar Corporation’s multi-plant Federal International Chemicals Division and accomplished a difficult turnaround-to-growth strategy. At Emerson Electric Company, he held positions of increasing responsibility in the EL Wiegand “Chromalox” Division and led the Heat Tracing Systems Division. He began his career at Sunbeam Corporation at the corporate headquarters and in marketing and sales roles for the Schaefer Division.

Hugh is a member of The Executive Club of Chicago as well as The Metropolitan Club. He is a founder of Thrive Chicago (servant leadership) and has served on a number of private boards and non-profit organizations.

  • Avid, life-long snow skier and Heli-skier.
  • Grandpa-In-Chief of 5 grandchildren.
  • Loves boating – power & sail.

Contact Info:

(312) 339-4800
hshields@felixglobal.com

Senior Manager, Corporate Services

Tracy Simon

Tracy serves as a liaison between Felix and our customers, primarily for Career Transition. Her ability to build lasting relationships and efficiencies enables her to achieve customer growth and success. Skilled at effective communication across all management levels and with her positive attitude, Tracy is able to focus on the bigger picture and stay motivated to get the job done.

As a Client Services Manager, she brings 8 years of HR and Talent Acquisition experience to the team. With a background in hospitality, Tracy also has a strong skill set in customer service and conflict management.
Prior to joining Felix, Tracy worked for businesses in the Automobile, Healthcare and Retail industry as an HR Business Partner with a focus on full employee life-cycle needs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, Honours degree and is also a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR by HRCI). She completed the CHRP certification in 2021 and is an active member of the HRPA Toronto Chapter. In her role at Felix, Tracy provides customers with both short-term and long-term Career Transition program support, including managing the planning and coordination of programs with Consultants. As a member of the Client Services team, Tracy also supports certain HR and Executive Search projects.

When not building engaged workforces, Tracy is excited about exploring mom life, enjoys discovering different cultures through travel, indulging in some good old DIY and studying wine.

  • Wine Enthusiast.
  • Philomath.
  • Loves to Travel.
Marketing Associate

Paulina Smale

Managing Director

Mary Speiser

Mary has over 35 years of experience supporting and delivering results within the Healthcare industry. Mary has led projects to establish and facilitate on-site Career Resource Centers, driving value for more than 1,000 individuals. Her greatest strength is in her ability to work effectively with participants/clients at all levels. She has the skills to empathize, encourage, motivate and lead individuals through the career management process while allowing them to make conscious choices and develop work and life goals. Mary is an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Oak Brook chapter and the Human Resources Association of Greater Oak Brook (HRA). Outside of the office you can find Mary making time for family and enjoying the sunshine aboard her boat on Lake Michigan.

  • Boat First Mate.
  • Plant Whisperer.
  • Loves Spending Time With Family

Contact Info:

630-546-7536
mspeiser@felixglobal.com

Research Associate

Breanne Udeze

Breanne is a research specialist in the C-Suite Advisory practice. In this role, she supports clients by providing high-level company insight and industry analysis. Breanne assists in preparing clients for interviews and networking meetings by providing research reports on industries, target companies, organizational culture and structure, executive teams, and boards of directors.

Breanne also works closely with the firm’s psychologist and is responsible for coordinating and administering assessment inventories for transition, portfolio life, coaching and executive assessment clients. Breanne is certified as a talent consultant by the Institute for Personality and Ability Testing.

Breanne holds her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in English from the University of Northern Iowa. She resides in Chicago with her husband and daughter.

  • Book Group Leader.
  • Gardener.
  • Tea Enthusiast.

Contact Info:

312.994.9500
budeze@felixglobal.com

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