Bio

Nicole Balsam is a top executive search consultant for marketing and digital talent. With nearly a decade of search experience, Nicole has a successful track record of placing functional leadership across industries including management consulting, digital-first agencies and innovation studios, and VC or PE-backed portfolio companies.

Through a consultative approach, Nicole prides herself on delivering exceptional service to clients and candidates alike. Nicole’s own creative background - Drama BFA at Tisch School of the Arts - provides her with a unique ability to balance both the art & science of placing senior level talent in marketing and digital roles.

Recent successful placements include Senior Partner, Financial Services with a global business transformation consultancy, Chief Digital Officer for an Insurtech company, and VP, Products & Programs for a multi-disciplinary technology and innovation studio.

Bio

Destinée has acquired a great deal of responsibility in a short time as an executive search professional. In 2019, she made the switch from public relations, and brought with her a background in media and graphic design that is integral to Eastward’s Branding & Digital practice.

She takes an analytical approach to the challenge of getting responses from potential candidates. Destinée optimizes results by identifying the elements of her plan, then altering one variable at a time. Combined with her strong work ethic and communications skill, she has emerged as an integral part of the Eastward team.

Destinée, a St. John’s University graduate, is in the midst of returning to New York after spending a year with family in southern New Jersey.

Bio

​Karrie has over two years of professional experience in both strategic PE advisory search and straight down the middle executive search. Karrie spent the majority of her career specializing in the Consumer sector, working across the food & beverage, personal care, beauty, apparel, specialty retail, QSR, automotive, and education industries.

With vast experience working closely with senior-level talent to draft executive-centric investment theses for PE clients, Karrie cultivates long-term executive relationships to assist with due diligence and ultimately drive client investment success. Following the shift to executive search, Karrie splits her time between CEO and go-to-market searches.

Joining Eastward at the start of 2022 as a Senior Associate within the Brand & Digital practice, Karrie will join Nicole in spearheding the strategic growth plan of the function to expand into new areas across the digital landscape.

Prior to her career in search, Karrie graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Colgate University with a double concentration in History and Russian Eurasian studies. Outside of work, she enjoys rooting for her Buffalo Bills and exploring Central Park. 

Bio

​Zach joined Eastward Partners as an Associate on the Brand & Digital team at the start of 2022. Zach's experience in university development and in the health insurance start-up space equips him with a multifarious skill set to support his passion for connecting great candidates with great companies. 

Zach graduated cum laude with an A.B. in Social Studies and a language citation in Portuguese from Harvard College.

Outside of work Zach performs as a stand-up comedian and holds the distinction of being the worst pick-up basketball player in New York City.