Request a demo

Executive Intelligence

We Place Performance.

At Censia, we’re the leaders in finding your leaders.

From Fortune 20 enterprises to emerging startups, businesses looking to succeed tomorrow – and shape it – turn to us, to deliver the people who will drive impact, innovation and long-term success.

We’re revolutionizing executive search through the powerful combination of advanced technology and engaged, human expertise. We’re collaborative partners, backed by AI insights who identify, assess, and hire transformative leaders who drive extraordinary results. We work alongside our clients as one team to bring unparalleled value and unleash potential .

Because Tomorrow takes a leader.

Retained Executive Search

We Find the Future,
One Leader at a Time

The challenges and opportunities of your business’ future can’t be mastered by the thinking of the past. At Censia, our team goes beyond the antiquated approaches to search. We identify, attract and deliver talent based on the needed future state of your business. Beyond our unparalleled executive network, we use our cutting-edge AI to capture the precise difference makers who will “futureproof” your organization. You have insight and transparency into the entire market via our EI portal – the largest validated executive talent platform in the world. Trusted by the world’s most ambitious companies, together we track our placements’ business impact and leadership performance years after the start date.

Our retained executive search service combines deep industry knowledge, AI/ML,  extensive networks, and sophisticated assessment methodologies to identify and secure exceptional leaders. We specialize in C-suite, Board, and VP-level positions across key functional areas, offering a thorough, consultative approach that ensures optimal candidate fit and long-term success.

  • Exclusive partnership with dedicated senior search consultants who handle minimal searches simultaneously. 
  • Comprehensive market intelligence and competitor talent mapping
  • Access to our proprietary network of XNumber+ vetted executive candidates
  • Scientific assessments
  • 12-month placement guarantee with comprehensive onboarding support and unique placement tracking beyond hire.
  1. Deep-dive discovery sessions with key stakeholders to define success criteria and cultural fit requirements
  2. Development of detailed position specification and target company list through market analysis
  3. Proactive outreach to top-tier candidates using our research team and AI-powered sourcing tools
  4. Rigorous candidate assessment including competency-based interviews, reference checks, and leadership evaluations
  5. Full offer management and negotiation support, followed by 90-day integration planning

It’s time to transcend the Executive Search status quo.

Days to
Placement

Executive Retention Rate at 2+ Years
Leaders Exceeding Year 1 Performance Targets
Diversity Placement Rate
C-Suite Placements Completed
Years Combined Retained Search Experience

Additional services:

Succession Planning

Future-proofing leadership through systematic identification and development of internal talent, ensuring seamless transitions and organizational continuity.

Our succession planning service provides a comprehensive framework for identifying, developing, and retaining future leaders. We combine organizational design expertise with advanced assessment tools to create robust succession strategies that ensure business continuity and foster internal talent development.

  • Risk mitigation through identification of critical roles and potential successors
  • Customized market maps and development programs aligned with future leadership requirements
  • Improved retention through clear career progression paths and success metrics
  • Enhanced organizational resilience and leadership continuity

  1. Critical role identification and risk assessment across all organizational levels
  2. Comprehensive talent assessment using poachability methodology and leadership competency framework

Workforce Intelligence

Data-driven insights into talent trends, compensation benchmarks, and market dynamics that power strategic workforce decisions

Our workforce intelligence service combines advanced analytics, market research, and predictive modeling to provide actionable insights for strategic workforce planning. We help organizations understand current market dynamics, forecast future talent needs, and optimize their talent strategies.

  • Data-driven decision making for workforce planning
  • Optimized compensation and benefits strategies
  • Predictive insights into skill requirements and gaps
  • Enhanced workforce cost management
  • Improved talent retention through market alignment

  1. Collection and analysis of internal and external workforce data
  2. Development of custom dashboards and reporting frameworks
  3. Creation of predictive models for workforce planning
  4. Regular market updates and trend analysis
  5. Strategic recommendation development and implementation support

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Stronger organizations come from cultivating inclusive cultures, equitable practices, and diverse talent pipelines that drive innovation and performance

Our DEI services help organizations create truly inclusive environments where diverse talent thrives. We provide data-driven strategies, practical implementation tools, and measurement frameworks to drive meaningful change and sustainable results across all organizational levels.

  • Enhanced innovation through diverse perspectives and inclusive decision-making
  • Strengthened employer brand and expanded talent pools
  • Improved employee engagement and reduced turnover
  • Better market understanding and customer connection
  • Reduced legal and reputational risks through equitable practices

  1. Comprehensive DEI assessment including cultural audit and demographic analysis
  2. Development of customized DEI strategy aligned with business objectives
  3. Implementation of inclusive hiring practices and bias mitigation tools

Talent Mapping & Sourcing

Strategic intelligence gathering that tracks talent landscapes, uncovers hidden candidates, and builds proactive pipelines for critical roles.

Our talent mapping service delivers comprehensive insights into talent markets, combining advanced analytics with human intelligence to create detailed talent landscapes. We identify high-potential candidates, analyze competitor talent strategies, and build proactive pipelines for critical roles.

  • Real-time visibility into available talent pools and competitor movements
  • Reduced time-to-hire through pre-built candidate pipelines
  • Strategic insights into market availability and trends
  • Enhanced employer value proposition through market feedback
  • Competitive advantage in securing hard-to-find talent

  1.  Definition of target roles, skills, and competitor landscape
  2. Deep-dive market analysis using our unique AI-powered tools
  3. Creation of detailed talent maps with talent benchmarking
  4. Development of engagement strategies for passive candidates
  5. Regular updates and refinement of talent pools

Trusted by leaders

allstate
apollo
bdtmsd
bionano
comptia
CleanShot 2024-12-13 at 11.51.13
google
ias
magnite
morgan-stanley
nea
paypal
singular
thermo-fisher
tpg
upstart
verizon
viasat
walmart

The Censia Difference

The Platform to Perform

Technology-First Approach

Our proprietary platform fundamentally transforms the executive search landscape through a sophisticated combination of advanced data analytics, artificial intelligence, and human insight. At the heart of our technology is a powerful analytics engine that continuously processes and analyzes data from over 2000 sources, including professional networks, industry-specific databases, company performance metrics, patent repositories, and academic publications. This creates a comprehensive, real-time understanding of the global talent landscape.

Our AI-powered matching algorithms go beyond traditional keyword matching, analyzing complex patterns in career trajectories, leadership impact, and industry expertise. The system identifies not just obvious candidates, but also those with unique cross-industry experiences and transferable skills that might be overlooked by conventional search methods. This approach allows us to uncover hidden talent pools and predict leadership success with unprecedented accuracy.

Most importantly, our technology platform systematically reduces bias in the search process. Rather than relying on traditional networks and subjective assessments, our approach employs blind screening protocols and objective qualification mapping. This creates a more diverse and qualified candidate pool by recognizing excellence in its many forms, whether it follows traditional career paths or breaks new ground.

Partnering with the world’s leaders to define and deliver what’s next.

Strategic

Partnerships

Our unique capability to serve organizations across the entire business spectrum sets us apart in the executive search industry. For global enterprises, we operate as strategic partners in transformation, supporting Fortune 50 companies through critical initiatives ranging from digital transformation to international market expansion. We understand the complexities of large-scale organizational change and help build leadership teams capable of driving innovation while managing enterprise-scale operations.

In the high-growth technology sector, we excel at identifying leaders who can manage rapid scale while maintaining innovation and culture. Our deep search experience has honed our ability to find executives who can build robust teams, establish operational excellence, and drive international expansion—all while maintaining the agility needed in fast-moving markets.

For early-stage companies, we bring an unmatched understanding of startup leadership needs. We help identify and secure those crucial first executive hires who will shape company culture, drive product development, and build the foundations for scale. Our technology-enabled approach allows us to offer this high-touch service to emerging companies while maintaining the same level of excellence we deliver to global enterprises.

Talent that Lasts

Long-Term Performance

We’ve reimagined the traditional search firm relationship by creating enduring partnerships focused on long-term success. Unlike conventional firms that consider their work complete at placement, we maintain active engagement throughout the executive’s journey with your organization. Our comprehensive performance tracking system monitors key metrics, including revenue growth, team development objectives, strategic initiative completion, and cultural impact indicators.

By maintaining this ongoing partnership, we’ve developed unique insights into what drives executive success across different organizations and industries. This knowledge continuously enhances our search process, creating a virtuous cycle of improvement that benefits all our clients. Our commitment to long-term success is reflected in our 98% retention rate at the two-year mark—a testament to our ability to match not just skills and experience, but also vision, values, and leadership style.

News & Insights

Learn More

Planning Today For

Performance Tomorrow

Defining your Leadership Vision

  • Understanding your vision
  • Mapping success metrics
  • Identifying transformation goals

Ensuring Perfect-Fit Matches

  • Data-driven assessment
  • Cultural alignment analysis
  • Success prediction modeling

Uncovering Hidden Talent Pools

  • AI-powered talent identification
  • Non-obvious candidate discovery
  • Diverse pipeline development

Long-Term Success Tracking

  • Performance metric monitoring
  • Integration support
  • Ongoing advisory partnership

Collaborative Engagement

  • Real-time search visibility
  • Interactive feedback loops
  • Transparent decision support

Our Expertise

We specialize in placing leaders who transform traditional industries through technology, scale high-growth companies through critical phases, build new digital products and capabilities, lead global organization redesigns at scale, and drive structure, process, and people for holistic impact.

Industry Focus

  • Technology & Digital Innovation
  • Retail & Consumer Transformation
  • Financial Services & Private Equity 
  • Industrial & Manufacturing Evolution
  • Healthcare & Life Sciences Advancement
  • Energy & Clean Technology
  • Space

Functional Expertise

  • Board and CEO
  • CFO and Finance
  • CMO and Marketing
  • CRO and GTM and Sales
  • CTO and Engineering
  • CPO and Product
  • CHRO and Human Resources
  • COO and Operations / Supply Chain

The People You Want for the People You Need

Monica Bua
President of Executive Intelligence

Monica Bua

From Silicon Valley to New York, across Europe and Asia and back again, Monica brings more than 15 years of experience in finding, assessing and developing the leadership that transforms companies and speeds them toward their goals. She’s a thought leader and a proven partner who helps world-class companies navigate even the most challenging times in innovation and an ever-evolving talent landscape.

She’s a change-driver with a passion for building inclusive teams, helping individuals and organizations realize their greatest possibilities by finding a place and a voice for women and other underrepresented communities. Monica is particularly proud that this commitment has resulted in more than half her placements. Clear evidence of both her dedication to diversity and her understanding of the dynamic potential that comes with being willing to widen the search for excellence across all borders and boundaries.

Monica knows you can’t build the disruptive and leading enterprises of tomorrow with yesterday’s approach to search. She shares the vision and determination of Fortune50, top-tier private equity and venture capital-backed enterprises to succeed. She’s well-versed in addressing the needs of emerging products, enabling them with the talent they need to thrive. Unflappable, she’s put together entire C-suite teams for some of the most demanding clients in technology’s most demanding environments. Delivering every time.

Monica is currently the President of Executive Intelligence at Censia. Prior she was a Managing Director at Morgan Samuels and also previously worked as an international recruiter for Trilogy Inc., where she was first introduced to the quest for finding and winning the best in technology talent. She scoured the world for all-star engineers, and she was also a founding member of CollegeHire.com. Monica earned her MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management. She graduated from Boston College, cum laude, with a BA in Human Development and Spanish.

At home in La Jolla, California, Monica puts relationships at the heart of everything she does. Keeping close with her clients and team no matter where any given day finds her. Some people might think it’s about seeing the ocean. But Monica knows it’s really about looking over the horizon. Every day.

Alyssa Berardi
Vice President, Executive Intelligence

Alyssa Berardi

Alyssa is a dynamic executive search leader and the Vice President of Executive Intelligence at Censia, bringing over a decade of experience in placing transformative C-suite leaders across Fortune 100 companies and high-growth startups in the technology sector. Known for her sharp insight at the crossroads of talent and innovation, Alyssa is dedicated to democratizing the identification of top-tier talent, opening doors to the industry’s best minds for companies of all sizes and stages.

A former Division 1 athlete and proud UC Berkeley alumna, Alyssa channels her competitive drive and strategic acuity into every search. Growing up in Silicon Valley, she was immersed in the world of pioneering technology, which continues to inspire her perspective on leadership and industry transformation.

At home in La Jolla, CA, Alyssa is an active contributor to her community, including her work supporting educational initiatives at Bird Rock Elementary and La Jolla Methodist Preschool. She and her husband, Matt, enjoy raising their three children, Gray, Drew, and Cooper, fostering a home environment that celebrates both ambition and balance.

Nicole Salama
Vice President, Executive Intelligence

Nicole Salama

Nicole serves as an Executive Intelligence Consultant at Censia, specializing in partnerships with PE firms. With a proven track record of completing over 100 searches, she serves clients across various sectors, including financial services, technology, consumer goods, healthcare, and retail. Nicole works with Fortune 1000 companies, private equity firms, and prominent, pre-public venture-backed enterprises. Her focus includes recruiting CFOs, CAOs, CMOs, GMs, Audit Committee members, corporate controllers, and FP&A professionals. Additionally, Nicole assists organizations in preparing for executive succession. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, her work extends throughout North America and Europe.

Before joining Censia, Nicole worked as an Executive Director at Russell Reynolds Associates as part of its Financial Officers Practice in both its San Francisco and Palo Alto offices. She pivoted to executive search after holding several sales and marketing executive leadership positions at Fortune 500 companies including Walgreens, Stryker, and Merck-Medco. A former student-athlete on Harvard’s Lacrosse team, Nicole holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology and an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Business. 

With her vast industry experience, strong track record in executive recruitment, and commitment to utilizing AI for unbiased and effective talent strategies, Nicole is excited about the opportunity to assist your organization in attracting the outstanding leaders needed to excel in today’s competitive environment.

Charlie Lockyer
Head of Product

Charlie Lockyer

Charlie Lockyer is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of international experience in attracting and developing talent and its associated technologies. His career began in consulting and professional services before he transitioned into technology.

Currently, Charlie serves as the Head of Product for Censia's "Recruiting Intelligence" and "Executive Intelligence" products. In this role, he has successfully guided each product from concept to production, overseeing a diverse range of responsibilities that include product vision, roadmaps, product development, research, user experience, API integrations, and more recently the integration of AI capabilities.

Before working on the technology side, Charlie spent nearly a decade at Korn/Ferry, where he held various positions in executive search and leadership and talent consulting. Throughout his career, he has partnered with a wide array of clients, from blue chip large enterprises to small tech start-ups, across Europe, APAC, and the USA.

Christi Kretchmer
Senior Executive Intelligence Consultant

Christi Kretchmer

Christi is a Senior Executive Intelligence Consultant at Censia, where she is hands on leading initiatives to transform talent acquisition through ethical AI and data science. Over the past several years at Censia, she has helped numerous companies eliminate hiring bias and identify top-tier talent for their organizations. 

Prior to Censia, Christi served as an Associate Consultant at Morgan Samuels and held leadership roles at Genesis Industries, where she built and led teams in project-based recruitment solutions. Christi began her career delivering talent solutions in the manufacturing sector and has since broadened her expertise to the technology, life sciences, financial services, private equity/venture capital, and retail space.

A former student athlete on the Texas A&M's National Champion Track and Field team, Christi holds a Bachelor's in Communication and a passion for AI’s transformative potential in the talent space. With her extensive industry knowledge, proven leadership in executive recruitment, and a passion for leveraging AI to drive unbiased and effective talent strategies, Christi is uniquely positioned to help your company secure the exceptional leaders it needs to succeed in today’s competitive landscape.

Brady Padgett
Senior Executive Intelligence Consultant

Brady Padgett

Brady is a recognized leader in talent acquisition and executive search, renowned for his ability to drive transformative talent strategies using cutting-edge AI technology. With a passion for aligning leadership talent with business goals, Brady has built a distinguished career, working with Fortune 500 companies and private equity firms to place top-tier executives in mission-critical roles.

Before joining Censia, Brady held leadership roles at Robert Half and Morgan Samuels, where he specialized in recruiting for C-suite positions across a diverse range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, financial services, retail, and software. His deep expertise in high-level recruitment and his focus on data-driven insights have earned him a reputation for delivering exceptional results, helping companies secure the right leaders to fuel their growth and success.

Brady is a firm believer in the power of AI to revolutionize talent acquisition. Throughout his career, Brady has witnessed firsthand the profound impact that AI and talent systems can have on businesses, and he is committed to helping your company.

Peyton Heller

Senior Executive Intelligence Consultant

Peyton Heller

Peyton is an experienced Executive Intelligence Consultant with a focus on high-level recruitment and strategic executive insights. Currently at Censia, Peyton leverages extensive expertise to support talent acquisition for senior leadership roles, specializing in data-driven intelligence to identify ideal candidates. 

Previously, Peyton held key roles at Morgan Samuels, where they significantly enhanced recruitment operations and provided exceptional executive support. With a solid background in event administration at JW Marriott, Peyton brings a unique operational perspective to the recruitment process. Known for implementing efficient processes, Peyton is also celebrated for fostering effective client engagement, ensuring that both candidates and clients experience a seamless and positive interaction throughout the recruitment journey.

Peyton graduated from the University of Alabama with a BS in Hospitality Management and currently lives in Nashville, TN with her dog, Dayton.

Bella Karch

Senior Executive Intelligence Consultant

Bella Karch

Bella is an Executive Intelligence Consultant, who specializes in recruiting C-suite talent across a diverse range of industries, including software, automotive, telecommunications, and retail. She has a passion for helping organizations find, hire, and develop transformative talent that drives impactful results and pushes them toward their goals.

Prior to joining Censia, Bella began her career in software sales at Meltwater, where she provided media monitoring solutions to help businesses track and analyze their brand presence.

Bella holds a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from San Diego State University. Outside of her professional endeavors, you can find Bella relaxing on the beach with a good book, exploring new workout classes, or finalizing the itinerary of her next travel adventure.

Juliette DeVito
Executive Intelligence Associate

Juliet DeVito

Juliett plays a pivotal support role on the Executive Intelligence team, leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to identify and showcase top executive talent to partner companies. By expertly handling behind-the-scenes operations, she ensures that only the most qualified candidates are highlighted. Her work strengthens Censia’s front-end presentation, allowing the company to deliver a polished and professional executive search experience that consistently showcases top-tier talent to clients.

Before transitioning into talent acquisition, Juliette spent over six years in education, where she honed essential skills she applies today. Her experience as a teacher strengthened her ability to build meaningful relationships, foster positive engagement, and excel in communication. In addition, she developed strong organizational and management skills, along with a keen attention to detail— all of which play a pivotal role in her current success.

In addition to her professional achievements, Juliette was an MLB dancer for the Houston Astros, performing for two seasons, including during the 2022 World Series. As part of the team’s historic run, she earned a coveted World Series ring, showcasing her passion and dedication both on and off the field.

Timothy Grosik
Executive Intelligence Knowledge Management Researcher

Timothy Grosik

Tim is an Executive Researcher, specializing in leveraging AI-driven solutions to enhance talent identification and sourcing strategies, helping companies streamline executive search processes. His expertise spans over 16 years and has developed skills using cutting-edge AI tools, LinkedIn, and various Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), providing for faster and more accurate identification of top-tier candidates.  He has worked on filling executive roles across diverse industries, including life sciences, healthcare, industrial manufacturing, retail, consumer packaged goods, aerospace, automotive, financial services, private equity, and both established and emerging technology.  

Throughout his career, Tim has been responsible for building and maintaining comprehensive talent pipelines, conducting in-depth candidate research, and assessing alignment with client requirements. He has provided high-level executive search support, created market mappings,  and conducted research on industry trends.  He excels in collaborating with recruiting teams as well as managing the entire research process from developing initial sourcing strategies, to candidate identification, and calibration.  He has also managed data quality control processes, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of essential candidate and company data.  

Tim lives in northern New Jersey with his family and is an avid fan of hiking and landscaping, along with donating to local animal shelters.

Hailey Sison
Executive Intelligence Knowledge Management Researcher

Hailey Sison

Hailey is an Executive Researcher who has used her dynamic talent sourcing to build a successful career supporting Fortune 50 tech companies during periods of rapid growth. She excels at navigating changing business priorities to help senior leaders build their teams with top talent, enabling the delivery of cutting-edge products and services to consumers.

Before joining Censia, Hailey achieved significant success at Meta and Microsoft, where she built highly qualified and diverse searches across various sectors, including marketing, creative, technology, and data center development. At Meta, she supported consumer marketing teams within Reality Labs during pivotal moments, such as the company's rebranding to venture further into the metaverse and the launch of their first smart glasses in partnership with Ray-Ban.

Passionate about leveraging historical and market data to build informed talent pipelines, Hailey is committed to embracing technology in talent acquisition. She believes that AI is a powerful tool to enhance executive search strategies, enabling her to deliver exceptional results and support clients in achieving their goals.

Amanda Garfinkle
Chief of Staff

Amanda Garfinkle

Amanda currently serves as the Chief of Staff at Censia, where she plays a pivotal role supporting the Executive Intelligence team. Under the leadership of Monica Bua and Alyssa Berardi, Amanda focuses on facilitating effective communication and project execution while upholding high standards of professionalism. She works to ensure the Executive Intelligence team operates at peak performance, builds strong relationships, and drives impactful results.

Prior to her role at Censia, Amanda gained extensive experience at Morgan Samuels, where she advanced from Executive Assistant to Senior Executive Assistant, supporting the highest-volume practice under Managing Director Monica Bua. Earlier in her career, she served as Executive Assistant to the CEO at iQ Media and as Executive Assistant to Dave Carvajal, co-founder of HotJobs and an integral part of TheLadders' success.

Amanda’s diverse background underscores her commitment to driving organizational growth through effective support. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Binghamton University and a Master’s Certificate in Human Resources from Villanova University. She has also been SHRM Certified (SHRM-CP).

Cait Warren
Senior Executive Intelligence Coordinator

Cait Warren

Cait is a Senior Executive Intelligence Coordinator, playing an essential role in ensuring seamless client and candidate experiences through attentive, high-touch support. Known for her organizational skills and keen attention to detail, Cait provides the team with crucial operational assistance, enhancing workflow efficiency and maintaining clear communication channels. Her commitment to delivering white-glove service fosters lasting client relationships and supports Censia’s mission of excellence in executive search.

Prior to joining Censia, Cait served as an Engagement Coordinator at True Search, honing her skills in client engagement and recruitment coordination. In that role, she supported the Global Head of Healthcare and collaborated across industries to ensure clients received precise, tailored support. Cait’s experience at True Search strengthened her ability to manage complex projects and deliver a consistently high standard of service, skills she now brings to her role at Censia.

Cait holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Grand Canyon University and an Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies, equipping her with a strong foundation in research, analysis, and client-focused service. This background, paired with her practical experience, enhances her ability to deliver valuable insights and uphold Censia’s commitment to excellence.