Korn Ferry hires Senior Client Partners from PwC and Spencer Stuart

Two Senior Client Partners have been appointed by Korn Ferry in its US-based operation. Lee Esler, formerly at Spencer Suart, joins the firm's Atlanta office in its Global Technology Practice. Eileen O'Donnell joins the firm's New York office, following seven years at PwC, in its Global Healthcare Services Practice.

Prior to joining Korn Ferry, Lee Esler worked at executive recruitment firm Spencer Stuart as Partner. He worked at the firm more than 15 years, coming to lead the firm’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications Practice, focused on leading CEO and managing director searches. He was previously, from 1999 until 2002, at Egon Zehnder, in his more recent role as Principal. Esler holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Miami University and a Master of Business Administration from the Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management.

Esler joins the firm’s Atlanta office as a Senior Client Partner in its Global Technology Practice. He brings more than 20 years of experience to the firm, including a number of engagements in the private equity industry – largely focused on CEO talent advisory in the technology and business services space.

Werner Penk, President, Global Technology Practice, Korn Ferry says that Lee extensive expertise and relationships at the top of house brings to Korn Ferry. Adding, “His impeccable credentials and wealth of knowledge related to the talent and leadership issues impacting today’s technology will be a great fit for Korn Ferry and our clients.”

Prior to joining Korn Ferry, Eileen O'Donnell worked at PwC where she began in 2009, in her most recent role she was a Director at the firm. Previously she worked at Nexera for more than six years, most recently as Vice President of Operations and Technology. Earlier in her career she was an Assistant Director at the Beth Israel Medical Center, where she started her career as a Nurse Clinician in 1996. O'Donnell holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fairfield University, a Master of Arts in Physiology from the Teachers College of Columbia University and a Master of Business Administration from the Cornell University - Johnson Graduate School of Management.

O'Donnell joins the firm as a Senior Client Partner in its Global Healthcare Services Practice. The role, which sees her work out of the firm’s New York office, brings her more than 20 years of experience across healthcare organisations to bear on the firm’s current, and potential, hospital and payer sectors clients.

Greg Button, President, Global Healthcare Services, Korn Ferry, says, “Eileen brings more than twenty years of healthcare consulting and clinical operations experience. Her knowledge and deep expertise gained from advising a diverse portfolio of clients will be a great asset to our Global Healthcare Services team and the firm.”