Martha Heller is the CEO of Heller Search Associates, an executive search firm she founded in 2010. Previously, Martha led the IT Leadership practice at ZRG Partners, a global executive search firm. Over the course of her career, she has recruited hundreds of CIOs, CTOs, architects and other senior technology positions, and become a trusted advisor to executives around the country.
Martha's column on CIO.com
Public Speaking Information
Martha is a widely followed voice on the role of the CIO, digital leadership, and the IT talent market. She has been a CIO.com contributor since 1999, and was founder of the CIO Executive Council, a professional organization for CIOs. She is quoted regularly in leading publications, including The Wall Street Journal and Harvard Business Review, and has written two highly influential books on technology leadership: The CIO Paradox, and Be the Business: CIOs in the New Era of IT. Her e-newsletter, The Heller Report, has become a must-read for thousands of IT professionals each week.
Martha is a sought-after speaker who has delivered keynote addresses at top tier industry, academic, and technology events.
Martha received a BA in English from Hamilton College and an MA in English from SUNY Stony Brook.
Carol Lynn is one of the industry’s most experienced and knowledgeable IT executive recruiters and is a founding member of Heller Search Associates. Carol Lynn has recruited an amazing range of CIOs, CTOs and tough-to-find architects for companies in a wide array of industries. In addition to her own impressive search engagements, Carol Lynn directs Heller Search’s team of executive recruiters.
Publications:
Digital Transformation Teams in 2021: 9 key roles
CIO Role: 8 ways the pandemic has changed it forever
Prior to joining Heller Search, Carol Lynn was Director of Recruiting for the IT Leadership Practice at ZRG Partners where she honed her technology recruiting skills and led a team of IT recruiters. Previously, Carol Lynn was a director at Prestonwood Associates where she led national searches for Fortune 500 organizations.
Prior to joining Prestonwood in 2000, Carol Lynn worked for Goodwin Procter LLP, a large, national law firm based in Boston. She held management roles within the human resources and litigation departments.
Carol Lynn holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Boston College. She has previously served on the board of directors for a non-profit community service organization, and she is an active member in the Northeast Human Resource Association (NEHRA).
Kelly Doyle has over 20 years of industry experience that includes both executive search and talent acquisition with a focus in technology.
Since joining Heller Search in 2017, Kelly has led numerous searches for CIOs, CISOs, as well as infrastructure and application development leaders for a variety of clients in manufacturing, biotech, retail, and more. She is passionate about talent advisement, delivering superior client value, providing a positive candidate experience, and building lasting professional relationships with clients and candidates.
Publications:
How to Write a CISO Job Description
8 Steps to a New IT Leadership Job
Previously, Kelly spent 10 years at Nuance Communications, a global technology company, hiring executives across the healthcare, mobile, enterprise and document imaging divisions, as well as all corporate functions.
Prior to Nuance, Kelly worked at Pathways Personnel, a San Francisco recruiting firm, where she was responsible for talent recruitment, business development, and client relationship management.
Kelly received a B.A. in English from Clark University. She is a member of Women in Technology International (WITI), an organization dedicated to the advancement of women in business and technology.
Charley Betzig is a solution-oriented, consultative recruiter who builds trust through responsiveness and dedication. Most recently, Charley has led searches for CIOs, CTOs, and heads of application development and IT security for Heller Search client organizations.
Charley has spent his entire career in executive search, and he is passionate about building productive, long term relationships with clients and candidates alike. He joined Heller Search Associates from the search firm Gatti and Associates, where he most recently served as Practice Leader for the Detroit region. Earlier, Charley helped to establish the firm’s Chicago office.
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Before Gatti, Charley co-founded JGA Partners, a boutique search firm. He started his career at DHR International, a top 10 global executive search firm, managing client searches as well as internal talent acquisition assignments.
Charley earned a BA in Economics from the University of Michigan. He is a member of the Detroit chapter of the Society for Information Management (SIM).
As Senior Principal, Brittany Jeeves is responsible for candidate outreach and development, and securing a high quality slate of candidates on client executive search projects. She also partners with the Managing Director to develop search strategy and manage robust communications with clients and candidates.
Brittany joined Heller Search in 2017 as an Associate and since then has been promoted twice based on her professionalism and efficiency, and the results she produces. She has been a key team member on a multitude of high-profile technology leadership searches.
Brittany came to Heller Search with an extensive background in technology recruiting. She held the position of Recruiting Coordinator at Rocket Software, an infrastructure software company. Prior to Rocket, she was a Recruiting Coordinator with Pegasystems, a business process management software firm.
Brittany graduated from Lasell College in Auburndale, MA with a BA in Legal Studies. She lives with her husband and their daughter in New Hampshire.
Jason Henninger has been in the technology recruiting profession for over 15 years, providing consultative talent solutions to client organizations across multiple industries. The results Jason delivers for his clients are due to his ability to build long-term relationships, his deep knowledge of technology, and his vast network of candidates.
Before joining Heller Search, Jason worked for many years at Infinity Consulting Solutions, a technology recruiting firm. As Account Manager and later as Regional Director, he was instrumental in growing ICS from 15 employees and two offices to over 150 employees and 10 offices across the U.S., all while building and serving his client list.
Jason holds a Bachelor's degree in Sales and Advertising from The University of Northern Iowa.
Leveraging her 20+ years of executive recruiting experience, Pamela Kurko consistently delivers quality candidates that exceed our clients’ expectations. Resourceful, efficient, and a natural builder of trust, Pam is exceptionally adept at candidate recruitment and development.
Disrupting Our Business Before Someone Else Does, by Pamela Kurko
Prior to joining Heller Search, Pam worked as an executive recruiter for Prestonwood Associates, The Derby Group, Resource Options, Daley & Associates and Xavier Associates (a Gatti & Associates company). Prior to executive search, Pam was a vocational rehabilitation counselor with the State of New Hampshire for seven years.
Pam earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling, with honors, from Assumption College in Worcester, MA.
Kerri Westberg leverages her relationship building and recruiting skills to find and develop the highest caliber IT talent for clients of Heller Search, and deliver an excellent candidate experience.
Kerri has over ten years of executive search and HR experience in corporate, agency, and nonprofit settings. Prior to joining Heller Search, Kerri was a Recruiter at Exponent, a scientific and engineering consulting firm. There, she recruited engineers and Ph.D.-level scientists for highly technical positions. Prior to Exponent, Kerri was an Executive Search Associate at Gatti, an executive search firm, where she collaborated with clients to fill critical HR leadership roles. She has also held various positions in nonprofit organizations, including Cradles to Crayons, where she was an HR Business Partner.
Kerri earned a BA in Sociology and International Studies from Northwestern University, and a Master’s degree in Social Policy from the University of Oxford.
Meredith Torrisi applies her combined experience in executive search, sales, and business development to effectively research candidates, build trusting relationships, and place the most qualified professionals at client organizations.
Meredith began her executive search career at Stanton Chase in Boston as a Research Associate, and was quickly promoted to Director, executing senior-level searches in the financial services sector. Eager to learn more about business development, she transitioned her career and held sales positions at cyber security company, Carbon Black, and early-stage tech startup HourWork. She also served as Corporate Development & Partnerships Manager at MassChallenge, a non-profit startup accelerator empowering innovators and entrepreneurs.
Meredith earned a BA degree in Political Science from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Timothy Hobson has over 10 years of experience in both retained and in-house executive search. As a Principal at Heller Search, he leads candidate identification, engagement and development, and is focused on delivering a high-quality and efficient search experience to our clients and candidates.
Prior to joining Heller Search, Tim was an Executive Recruiter in the technology and consulting practice at Sheffield Haworth, a global talent advisory firm. In this role, he recruited executive level talent for PE-backed SaaS companies and large consulting organizations, with a specific focus on data, AI, engineering, and IT leadership. Earlier in his career, Tim spent three years driving global leadership recruitment as a member of the internal executive search team at Pegasystems, a low-code software development platform provider. He began his career in search as a project manager at Russell Reynolds Associates.
Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA.
Natalie Ingram has been successfully recruiting senior technology executives for more than two decades. Over that time, she has built a vast and deep network of professionals spanning a wide variety of industries, coast to coast. Natalie is a proven expert at identifying material impact IT executives at the C, VP and Director level for Fortune 500 and mid-size companies, as well as P/E-backed start-ups.
From first call to project completion, Natalie combines her matchmaking skills with a deep passion for her work. Other keys to her success as an IT executive recruiter are her efficient, methodical approach, and the trusted partnership she forms with every client.
Prior to Heller Search, Natalie was a Partner at technology search firm Daversa Partners for 20 years.
Natalie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and biology from Union College in Schenectady, NY.
Deborah Crothers is an accomplished executive search professional with over 25 years of experience. She leads the research function for Heller Search, which is essential to creating the best possible outcomes for our clients on all recruiting projects.
Prior to joining Heller Search, Deborah was a Senior Research Associate at ZRG Partners, a global search firm, where she was responsible for creating research strategies on high profile searches across multiple industries, including technology, consumer products, life sciences, healthcare, and manufacturing. Earlier, she served on the in-house executive search teams for both NBCUniversal and Ross Stores. She also spent 13 years at Korn Ferry, a global executive search firm.
Deborah earned a BS degree in Corporate Training and Development, magna cum laude, and an MS in Human Resources Education from Fordham University in New York.
Highly organized, intellectually curious, and a strong communicator, Gianna Kane brings an ideal blend of skills to the Senior Associate position at Heller Search. On client engagements, Gianna is responsible for conducting research into the talent market and targeted organizations, developing candidates, and supporting Managing Directors and Principals in search operations.
Gianna has been working in human resources and retained executive search for most of her career. She joined Heller Search from Charles Sterling Group, an executive search firm. Earlier, she was an HR Manager at Legendary Applied Analytics, and a Recruiting Associate at Ridgeway Partners, an executive search firm.
Gianna is active in her community and a proud sponsor of Mustard Seed Communities, a non-profit organization supporting children of the Caribbean islands. She received a B.S. in Media Studies from The Catholic University of America and is a SHRM Certified Professional.
Meagan McEachern provides critical support to candidates and the executive recruiting team, and ensures that our clients receive the highest levels of attention and service. She is responsible for conducting industry and talent market research, editing candidate profiles and position descriptions, and coordinating phone screen and interview schedules.
Meagan joined Heller Search with a background in human resources. Previously, she held the position of Human Resources Representative at Dell EMC, where she handled HR-related queries for all employees throughout the United States and Canada. Meagan graduated from Merrimack College in North Andover, MA with a BA in Human Development and a minor in Interpersonal Communication.
Through her diverse career in human resources and recruitment, Brittany Knight has gained valuable experience delivering superior client service and helping teams implement change. As Associate at Heller Search, Brittany utilizes these skills to analyze the industry and the talent market, streamline communications and logistics, and ensure a high quality experience for our clients and candidates.
Prior to Heller Search, Brittany was an HR Business Partner at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she worked closely with faculty and staff to integrate people strategies and operational goals into the research organization. Earlier, she held HR positions with IPG Photonics and The TJX Companies, where her duties included recruiting engineers (software, mechanical, chemical, and industrial), and operations and supply chain supervisors. At TJX she was also responsible for the integration of a newly-launched internship program.
Brittany graduated from Worcester State University with a BA in English Literature and a Minor in Philosophy and Law.
Beth Martins is passionate about the mutual fulfilment and growth potential that results from finding a perfect fit between an individual and an organization. As an Associate at Heller Search, she utilizes her organizational, communications, and research skills to keep executive search projects running smoothly for our clients.
Prior to joining Heller Search, Beth was the Practice Manager at Milestones Psychology, where she built tight-knit, resilient, high performing teams. She was also responsible for hiring and on-boarding new employees, event planning, and she spearheaded Milestones’ DEI initiative.
Beth earned a B.S. degree in Psychology from Endicott College,.
As Executive Director, Steve Rovniak is responsible for Heller Search's marketing and business development strategy, strategic partnerships, public relations and digital media operations.
Steve has spent 20+ years in the IT industry. He was one of the very first staff members at CIO magazine’s CIO Executive Council. Steve helped to define the Council’s CIO program offerings and recruited dozens of its founding members. With the program thriving in North America, Steve expanded the Council to the European CIO community.
Prior to the Council, Steve held consulting and sales roles in the IT professional services industry. Over more than a decade, he managed programs and client relationships on large systems integration, custom software and web development projects for client companies such as Kodak, Pfizer, EMI, Nikon, and Philips-van Heusen.
Steve earned a BA in Economics from Kenyon College in Ohio.
Debra Jerome is an expert at designing talent attraction and employee development programs to support organizational growth. She has nearly 20 years of human resources and operations expertise, primarily at executive search and professional services organizations.
Prior to joining Heller Search, Deb was Senior Organizational Change Manager at Univar Solutions, a global chemical manufacturing company. Before Univar Solutions, she was Chief Human Resources Officer at Witt/Kieffer, an executive search firm, where her many accomplishments included the design, development, and launch of Witt/Kieffer University.
Deb is a Prosci certified change practitioner, and she completed the AESC Advanced Program for Executive Search Consulting held at Cornell University's School of Industrial & Labor Relations.
Deb earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Michigan State University (and she remains an avid Michigan State sports fan!) She has a second degree black belt in karate and also enjoys yoga, running, golfing, and strength classes.
As HR & Operations Manager, Lauren O’Connor ensures the smooth running of the firm. In addition to managing HR and benefits administration for the firm, she oversees vendor and office management, policy and procedure implementation, accounts receivable, and professional development.
Before joining Heller Search, Lauren worked at EMC where she provided operational support to a high performing channel sales team. Her earlier career experience includes several years as a freelance writer in marketing and public relations, and fifteen years in the financial services industry in a variety of marketing and administrative roles.
Lauren graduated with honors from Assumption College in Worcester, MA, where she received the President’s Convocation Honor Award for Excellence in Spanish.
Kelly Sutherland is extremely detail oriented and resourceful, skills that are critical to success in her role as Executive Assistant to Martha Heller, CEO of Heller Search. Kelly has had an impressive career as an administrator and support professional.
Before joining Heller Search, Kelly worked at University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School as executive assistant to the Vice Provost for Strategic Research Initiatives. She also had administrative responsibilities at the Cancer Center. Prior to UMass Chan, Kelly skillfully supported the President at Olin College of Engineering in Needham, Mass. and, in addition, held the position of Assistant Clerk to the Olin College Board of Trustees. Earlier, she was Executive Assistant to the EVP and Chief Financial Officer at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Mass.
Kelly studied Business at Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, Mass., and has spent many years volunteering for youth sports organizations, the service organization Dress for Success, as well as the Hanover Theater.