Proven industry experts

Alesha Herbert serves as Managing Director of Highspring’s Executive Search Healthcare practice. Alesha is a recruiting and management professional boasting a proven track record of success and expertise in building profitable organizations for the past 25 years. She is an accomplished business leader with an entrepreneurial approach to drive significant shareholder value and organizational growth. Fifteen of those years were spent with a national recruiting firm, leading their Houston market as General Manager. ​

Alesha has a concentration in PE-backed healthcare services, specifically in the consolidation of physician practice management platforms. She has completed numerous C-suite searches in a variety of sectors including Men’s Health, Ophthalmology, Behavioral Health, Dental with recent work in newer sectors including Autism, ENT, Pain Management and Orthopedics. ​

In 2006, Alesha started her own firm, Sales Savvy, where she specialized in Executive Search of Sales & Marketing Executives. She has developed a wide network of highly qualified candidates that span a broad spectrum of experience. This knowledge and experience led Alesha to Vaco, FSP’s holding company, and launched its operational division in 2014. Vaco acquired FSP and Alesha joined as Partner in 2017.​

Alesha received her BA in Communications and Public Relations from Texas A&M University. She lives in Houston with her family.

Andy has led engagements across the country, recruiting executives and leaders cross-functionally for both public and privately held organizations, family-owned businesses, and private equity companies.

Prior to his career in recruiting, Andy spent 15 years in leadership roles in Product Management and Marketing in a global industrial public company, a privately held CPG business headquartered in Germany, and a high-growth small business in the safety industry. This experience gives Andy a unique client-side perspective as well as a strong understanding of candidate skillsets across a variety of business functions, which he brings to every search.

Andy joined the team in 2022 after the acquisition of Brad Martin & Associates, a Minneapolis-based boutique retained search firm founded by his father in which he was a Principal.

Andy graduated cum laude from TCU in Fort Worth, TX with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Andy, his wife, Cassie, and son, Teddy, live in the Minneapolis area. In his free time, he enjoys travel, golf, and good restaurants.

Angela has over 20 years of experience in administrative and project management.

At Highspring, Angela works to improve processes and policies, manage administrative procedures, and leads long term organizational planning. She is responsible for managing the firm’s marketing and communications strategy as well as providing project and business administration support to ensure a successful and positive experience for all clients.

Prior to joining the team, Angela served as the Chief Administrative Officer at Charlson Partners.

She has a background in the search industry working for several top five search firms including Spencer Stuart in the advanced technology practice.

Previously, Angela held various roles in administration at companies such as 24 Hour Fitness and CompUSA.

Based in Houston, Texas, Ann joined the team as part of the July 2017 acquisition of D’Antoni Partners. Ann is an Associate of the firm, responsible for project management, candidate research, and coordination.

Before joining the search industry, she held accounting and administrative positions in the finance, investment, and venture capital sectors. Ann earned her BBA and MBA degrees from the University of Houston.

Brad Olson brings four decades of retained search experience to the team. Deeply rooted in the Manufacturing, Industrial, and Distribution industries, Brad has successfully completed more than 1,000 retained engagements in his career. From C-suite to functional leaders in Operations, Global Supply Chain, Engineering, Marketing, HR, and Finance, he has also served as a trusted partner to both public and privately held organizations, family-owned businesses, and private equity companies.

Brad joined the team in 2022 after the acquisition of Brad Martin & Associates, a boutique retained search firm in Minneapolis he founded in 1983. Brad recognized an opportunity for his firm, which offered long-term partnerships and provided high-touch and quality service, to join forces with FSP to better serve clients and candidates around the globe. Integrity and ethics are at the core of his guiding principles both personally and professionally.

Brad has been married to his wife Donna for over 40 years. They live in the Twin Cities, have two grown children, and enjoy being grandparents, boating, and vacationing on Sanibel Island

Based in Nashville, Carrie previously worked for Vaco Nashville’s Operations team before joining the team as Project Coordinator and Executive Operations. She provides support in administration, project management, and event coordination.

Carrie earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Southern Mississippi and is currently earning a master’s degree in English from Belmont University. She enjoys staying active by training for half-marathons and marathons and playing in local intramural leagues.

She grew up in Hattiesburg, MS, before relocating to Nashville in 2019.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Caryn serves as a Principal at Highspring developing strategy and driving execution of recruitment for top talent for clients nationally.

Caryn has 25 years of executive recruiting experience working with both boutique and large firms such as Ward Howell International and Korn Ferry International. Caryn has worked across various sectors including healthcare, higher education, financial services and industrial practices.

Caryn graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from The Ohio State University.

Casey serves as Research Associate. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Casey now lives in Nashville, playing an integral part in launching, executing, researching, and completing searches for Highspring clients.

Casey graduated magna cum laude from the Harbert College of Business at Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, Casey worked as a certified facilitator for the Working Genius assessment tool, helping fellow students uncover their natural strengths and weaknesses in work to assist in planning their careers. He also played on the club lacrosse team at Auburn as a 2-time captain and vice president.

Cathy is a seasoned search executive with 20+ years of experience recruiting in both domestic and global markets.

As a former General Manager owning a $40M P&L, Cathy draws on her operational background to better understand a client’s requirements; ultimately resulting in the timely and precise presentation of executive candidates. Her experience includes agency recruiting, corporate recruiting, retained search, and independent consulting across multiple verticals, including Operations, F&A, Sales/Sales Leadership, Technology, and Healthcare.

Cathy is a native Texan and a legacy Texas A&M Aggie who enjoys seeing Aggie games with multiple generations including her mother and son. Outside of work, Cathy enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, photography, and cruising around on her Harley.

Chris serves Highspring’s clients nationally. Chris has recruited Board members, executives and senior leaders for private equity-backed and publicly traded companies in the healthcare services and provider sectors.

Chris is actively engaged in recruiting and project management for high-profile clients as well as new client development. Chris’ direct experience with Vaco, founders and the local market leadership has been instrumental as the team expands and integrates their retained search platform across the Vaco platform.

Previously, Chris worked with Vaco’s co-founder and CEO in identifying and recruiting leadership to four de novo offices and high-performing producers across the United States.

With a bachelor’s degree in business management, Chris graduated cum laude from Gettysburg College and was a four-year starter and served as the captain of the Gettysburg College nationally ranked lacrosse team. Chris lives in Nashville, TN with his family.

Based in Dallas, Donna Patten is an Executive Assistant at Highspring supporting two Managing Directors and their teams.

Prior to joining the team, Donna ran her own baking business for a few years, and previously worked with a privately-held boutique executive search firm, as well as a global consulting company. She has over 30 years of experience supporting executives in various industries.

Donna lives in the Dallas area with her husband, Bill, and their yellow lab mix, Lucy.  Donna and Bill have four grown children and seven grandchildren. When not working and spending time with family, they travel to Missouri where they are rehabbing an 80-year old log cabin on a river.

Jessica joined the team in 2018. As a Senior Associate, she executes on C-suite and senior leadership searches. Jessica has a concentration in private equity-backed healthcare services, specifically in the consolidation of physician practice management platforms. She has completed numerous C-suite searches in a variety of sectors including ophthalmology, behavioral health, dental, women’s health, cardiology, orthopedics, and more.

Prior to joining the team, Jessica worked for Vaco, in Houston, where she ran a full desk of recruitment and business development for finance and accounting positions on a direct hire basis.

Jessica began her career within the Audit practice at PwC in Nashville, TN. She focused on clients within the insurance and healthcare industries.

Jessica earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting and management from the University of Kentucky. She grew up in the bluegrass state and is a big Kentucky Wildcats fan. Jessica resides in Houston, TX.

Jessica is a classically trained finance professional turned search partner with over 12 years of experience in Office of the CFO search work. In 2023, she joined Highspring to co-lead the Financial Officers practice for private equity-backed portfolio companies, where she offers invaluable support to private equity sponsors in Office of the CFO search work, both on a retained and interim basis, during the investment lifecycle of an organization.

With a strong track record of exceeding client and candidate expectations, Jessica leads with transparency, candor, and an unwavering sense of urgency. Prior to her role at Highspring, Jessica honed her expertise at Vaco by Highspring, where she provided exceptional solutions to organizations, both private equity-backed and publicly traded, in the Office of the CFO. Her experience guiding companies through substantial transformations—including relocation of corporate HQ and Center of Excellence build- outs—gives her unique insights into the concerns that weigh on the minds of private equity sponsors and CFOs.

Jessica’s journey to leadership began with her Master of Accountancy from Owen Graduate School of Management and her early career at Deloitte & Touché. Her multicultural upbringing, born and raised in India, followed by studies in Germany and a move to the United States, has enabled her to build a wide network of highly qualified finance executives that span a broad spectrum of experience.

Based in Nashville, Julie Blocher is the Business Manager at Highspring. Working closely with the firm’s Managing Partners, Julie provides support in business operations, executive administration, marketing and business development projects.

Prior to joining the team, Julie worked with a privately-held and private-equity backed professional services firm, Counsel On Call, where she provided executive support to the CEO and senior leaders.

Julie earned her B.S. degree in Business Communication from Arizona State University, and is a member of the National Association of Professional Women.

Karla brings over 16 years of executive search experience leading engagements across various business functions globally.  With her recent role serving as the Vice President of Global Executive Talent Acquisition, Executive & Board, at Cisco Systems, she has developed strategies to drive growth and maximum return across multiple business groups, managing high performing teams, delivering business outcomes, and operational excellence. This extensive experience gives Karla a unique client-focused perspective, as she has designed processes that impact the candidate attraction, assessment, onboarding, retention, and employer brand at all leadership levels.

She is recognized for establishing executive recruiting initiatives and programs to ensure the full integration of the talent strategy into the business strategy.  She has a proven track record of implementing executive talent and board strategies for various market segments, having worked for Fortune 100 companies.

Karla is highly regarded as an executive talent acquisition expert with a clear view on the value of strong leadership and future of a company. She is a critical thinker with a change mindset and a desire to move fast, drive focus, high accountability, and results.  Having led executive search framework through business transformation gives her unique insight into the primary focus areas of the business and overall corporate strategy. 

Karla is a trusted advisor to clients recruiting for board, C-suite, and executive level positions for all business functions.  Her expertise leading the global executive recruiting practice is what makes her a welcome, credible, and influential partner.  She is a relationship builder with an innate ability to observe and understand organizational undercurrents, and she facilitates information exchange helping leaders to deliver more effectively.

Karla holds a MBA with emphasis in Business Organizational Management and Marketing, and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science/Pre-Law.

Logan joins the team from Mercer where he worked as a Senior Consulting Analyst. He is a former college athlete who captained the Lipscomb Men’s Soccer Team in 2017 & 2018, winning 2 Conference Championships and making a NCAA Sweet 16 Appearance.

Logan resides in Nashville and enjoys playing soccer with his former teammates and coaching private lessons for youth players.

He earned his Undergraduate and Graduate degrees from Lipscomb University.

Based in Dallas, Lynn is a high-energy retained executive search professional focused on results. Her deep operational background gives her an edge in understanding an organization’s needs, enabling her to quickly ramp C-suite searches for her clients as well as build entire teams across multiple functions. Known for her ability to read past the resume to go deeper in making impactful and successful matches, Lynn’s clients view her as an engaged senior partner in their business.

Lynn has depth in several industries including software, digital transformation, healthcare, and manufacturing but has been focusing on the healthcare sector over the past 7 years. She has completed a large body of work for her private equity backed healthcare clients and continues to focus on strong partnerships within several key portfolio companies across multiple specialties. One of her passions and area of expertise is the intersection of healthcare and technology. Taking her domain knowledge within technology and her expertise in healthcare has enabled Lynn to be a valuable partner to her clients.

Lynn joined the team as part of the 2017 acquisition of her firm where she served as Managing Director. Prior to that, Lynn served as Global Vice President, Customer Care and Professional Services for Tidal Software where she grew revenues significantly with Fortune 1000 customers and was instrumental in positioning the company for its sale to Cisco Systems. Lynn’s background also includes operations, business development, logistics, software services, oil and gas, and manufacturing.

Lynn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kean University in Union, New Jersey. She also serves on an advisory board for CinchOps, an IT Managed Services Company for the SMB sector.

Based in Nashville, Margaret joined the team in July 2015.  Currently Margaret plays a key role in executing on senior executive and C-suite level searches within the Healthcare Services industry. She has been an integral part of growing Highspring, and will continue to be a part of the team’s rapid development.

She previously worked with a digital marketing startup in Nashville that specializes in card-linked offers for national and local businesses.

Margaret earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Sewanee, The University of the South.

Mary Gullage is an Associate with Highspring. She is based in the Nashville, TN office and serves as a researcher, primarily on the healthcare team. Mary has had the privilege to collaborate with Managing Directors, Alesha Herbert and Lynn Durant. Beyond her responsibilities as a researcher, Mary plays an active role in the onboarding process for new hires. Mary’s involvement includes internal scheduling and ensuring there is a smooth transition for new team members.

She helps coordinate graphics, lunches, etc., to ensure everyone’s day is special!

Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Mary began her professional career after she graduated from the University of Alabama in 2022 with a major in Communication Studies and Public Relations, Roll Tide! Outside the office, Mary enjoys spending time with her friends and family, attending concerts, exploring new restaurants, and going on walks.

Based in Denver, Matt joined the team as a Senior Associate with a mission to build executive leadership teams that grow companies. He specializes in placing senior level finance & accounting leaders within middle market private equity backed portfolio companies across a variety of industries, including healthcare, healthcare services, technology, SaaS, and more. His functional expertise includes CFO, VP Finance, Corporate Development, Chief Accounting Officer, Corporate Controller positions.

Before joining the team, Matt served as Sr. Director of Vaco’s, accounting and finance recruitment where he spent his time collaborating with CFOs and controllers across various industries to help them find top accounting and finance talent.

Matt is a CPA and began his career at KPMG before moving into an SEC Financial Reporting role at a publicly traded Real Estate Investment Trust.

Matt is passionate about helping individuals find careers where they can thrive both personally and professionally.

With over 15 years of experience in executive search, Monica specializes in placing senior-level accounting and finance leaders within private equity-backed companies on both an interim and permanent basis. As a CFO functional expert working across diverse industries and geographies in the U.S., Monica is known for a strategic and relationship-driven approach as she partners closely with investment firms and their portfolio company leadership teams to deliver high-impact talent solutions that drive growth, transformation, and value creation. Monica’s deep market insight and commitment to excellence have earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor in the private equity ecosystem.

Prior to joining the Highspring Executive Search team in 2020, Monica supported CFO recruiting for Vista Equity Partners portfolio companies. She gained invaluable experience working for a top-performing private equity sponsor and applies that experience to every executive search she launches. Earlier in her career, Monica worked for the largest project-based CFO solutions firm, where she led recruiting and service delivery teams across the U.S. She brings a 15-year track record of meeting and exceeding client and candidate expectations by leading with transparency, candor, and a sense of urgency.

Monica holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University and now resides in Nashville with her husband and son. Monica’s early career was teaching America’s next generation as a devoted kindergarten teacher, and she continues her passion to positively impact children’s lives by staying involved in several nonprofits.

Based in Nashville, Nathan joined Highspring with a mission to build executive leadership teams that grow companies. He specializes in recruiting cross-functional executives and leaders for both public and privately held organizations, family-owned businesses, and private equity companies.

Previously, Nathan worked at Spencer Stuart in their Industrial Practice, where he recruited C-suite executives for public, private, and private equity-backed companies. Before transitioning to executive search, Nathan served as an Army Officer for six years and completed one overseas tour.

Nathan received his Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Information Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2016 and his Master of Science in Logistics Management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2020.

D’Antoni has more than 20 years of experience in matching high-performing executives with leading healthcare companies, ranging from venture capital and private equity-backed portfolio companies to publicly held organizations.​

D’Antoni has expertise in a wide array of executive functional positions, including finance, business development, compliance, sales, marketing, operations, human resources, CEO and board roles. During his 20+ year operating career, D’Antoni has held CEO, COO, and board member positions and has raised millions in venture capital for early-stage healthcare companies. He has participated in three IPOs and two public company mergers. Currently, he sits on the boards of two healthcare companies and an international non-profit. He spent almost four years mid-career ​at Korn Ferry International as a national healthcare partner. ​

Prior to joining the team, D’Antonio founded and led the national healthcare executive search firm D’Antoni Partners, Inc. which worked with leading investment sponsors such as Bain, KKR, ABRY, Beecken Petty & O’Keefe & Company, Candescent Partners, HIG Growth, Mainsail, Altamont, Peloton Equity, Latticework Capital and General Catalyst.​

Richard holds degrees from Louisiana State University and Tulane University.

Sandy brings more than 20 years of experience in executive search to the team at Highspring. He has been instrumental in recruiting strategic executives and senior leaders to global organizations by delivering outstanding client and candidate experiences. Known for his strong work ethic and hands-on approach, Sandy partners with clients through each step of the executive search process to achieve great results.

Sandy has broad-based experience working across a variety of industry verticals including industrial, consumer, restaurant/retail, field services, software, tech-enabled, and business services. While he works across all sizes and ownership structures, Sandy has spent a significant amount of his time working with lower middle market private equity firms and their portfolio companies. He is a trusted advisor to clients recruiting for boards, C-suite, sales, marketing, operations, finance, purchasing, development, IT, plant operations, HR, and engineering roles across industries.

Sandy joined the team as part of the 2017 acquisition of Taylor Winfield where he served as Managing Director. Prior to joining Taylor Winfield, Sandy was an integral part of two different national search firms. He began his career as entrepreneur and founder of a specialty lacrosse retail store in Columbus, Ohio. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Sandy received his bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University, where he was a four-year letter winner on the men’s varsity lacrosse team and team MVP during his senior season.

Outside of work, Sandy and his wife, Natalie, have two active sons, Grayson and Hudson, and enjoy staying active playing tennis, golf, and a range of other athletic and community activities, as well as spending time on the lake in Northern Michigan. Sandy currently serves as the Chair of the SMU Athletic Forum, which presents the Doak Walker Award, and formerly served on the board of the St. Phillip’s School and Community Center. Additionally, he is on the board of Eagles Lacrosse, a youth lacrosse program at the Episcopal School of Dallas.

Seth Blumenthal serves as a Managing Director of Highspring. He leads C-suite and Board engagements for high-growth enterprise technology businesses. Domains (passions) include AI/ML, autonomous mobility & robotics, data, fintech, logistics, and sustainability.

Prior to joining the team, Seth spent four years as a Partner in the CEO & Board practice of True Search. There, he played a leading role in building out both the firm’s Early Stage and Deep Tech groups, working with businesses and investors in the US, Europe, Middle East, and Australia.

Seth brings a unique experience-set to his client and candidate engagements. Formerly part of the leadership team of an education-focused for-profit, Seth served as its GC & VP of Business Development. He enjoyed collaborating on growth strategies and negotiating transactions with organizations including the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, UPenn, and Yale.

Previously, Seth was a litigator at two law firms, counseling executives on M&A and corporate governance matters within the tech, financial services, and healthcare sectors. Seth also served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Major Economic Crimes Bureau at the Manhattan D.A.’s Office. He led teams of prosecutors and investigators on cases involving cybercrime, data breaches, financial frauds, and extortion. The Office appointed him prosecutorial liaison to the SEC.

Seth earned a BA with honors in Psychology and Economics from Tufts, and a JD from Fordham Law.

Sharon is a Senior Associate and joined the team in 2007. She has extensive retained executive search experience and has been instrumental in the growth. She is dedicated to providing clients a white glove experience and delivering top leadership professionals to grow their teams.

Sharon executes on searches across the healthcare industry with a focus on revenue cycle management (RCM). Her client portfolio includes private equity-backed, privately owned, public, and for-profit and non-profit organizations. With a research and training background, Sharon utilizes her expertise to ensure each search is initiated correctly, thoroughly, and delivers high-quality results for every client.

Previously, Sharon was an independent consultant at her own firm, SL Limited, where she specialized in research and recruitment across multiple industries. She was also president and partner of Exec-U-Search, an independent research firm that provided services to corporations as well as search firms. Additionally, she was a researcher with Elaine R. Shepherd Company.

Sharon resides in Nashville, TN, with her husband.

Stephen Dyer is Managing Director at Highspring Executive Search, where he leverages more than 15 years of leadership, consulting, and executive search experience to help organizations solve their most complex, people-driven challenges.

Prior to joining Highspring, Stephen spent 11 years with our sister brand, Vaco, leading the San Antonio office for the past five years. Under his leadership, the team achieved record-breaking results, including one of the largest engagements in company history—a $14 million partnership with a Fortune 100 financial institution—while consistently ranking as the top sales performer in the Vaco Resources division for three consecutive years.

Stephen’s career began in management consulting before he moved into operational leadership as the COO for several entrepreneurial ventures. A graduate of Texas A&M University with degrees in Finance and English, he is known for combining strategic insight with a data-driven approach, facilitating high-impact strategic planning sessions, and coaching executives through pivotal career decisions.

Passionate about his community, Stephen serves on multiple nonprofit boards in San Antonio. He and his wife, Alli, are the proud parents of five children, and they spend much of their time outdoors—whether coaching youth sports, skiing in New Mexico, or creating family memories together.

Teresa is a versatile and dedicated retained search professional focused on exceeding client expectations.  She has been with the team since 2016, previously working in both corporate and agency talent acquisition roles.  Her experience, across multiple industries and within private equity-backed businesses, has provided her with the experience to match great organizations with great talent in complex and competitive environments.

She has executed searches at C-Level and senior leadership levels for multiple roles in industries including biotech, biopharma, manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, technology, and consumer goods. She looks forward to developing new relationships and to the continued support of the clients and candidates that have been such an integral part of the expansion at Highspring.

Teresa resides in Cary, NC with her family. She is an avid sports fan and enjoys many outdoor activities such as boating, hiking, and time at the beach.  She holds a BA from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI.