Insights from NU Advisory: Q1 2025
NU Advisory Partners
AI-native executive search built to move fast and hire leaders who drive real impact
NU Thoughts
Spotify’s leadership team recently made headlines with a bold declaration: their employees aren’t children. They trust their teams to do their best work, wherever that may be. Meanwhile, too many leaders still equate physical presence with productivity—sometimes out of necessity, but too often out of habit.
The best teams don’t operate that way. Elite organizations—whether in sports, special forces, or business—win because they trust their people, embrace change, and execute without hesitation.
At NU, we see this shift firsthand. Every day, we help companies hire leaders who can navigate complexity, not cling to comfort. And here’s what I know for sure: the leaders who are stuck in the past—who think presence equals performance—are losing the war for talent.
The same is true when it comes to embracing AI. The companies winning today are fully integrating it into how they operate, hire, and compete. If your leadership team isn’t all in on AI and tech-driven decision-making, you’re already playing catch-up.
The question is simple: Is your team built for what’s next? If not, it’s time to rethink everything.
We don’t just talk about the future at NU—we live it and we help companies build it.
– Nada Usina, CEO & Co-Founder of NU Advisory Partners
NU Clients
We’re proud to share a sampling of our recent executive placements:
- Alison Moore, Chief Executive Officer at Chief
- Kees Bol, Chief Executive Officer at 2U
- Matthew Marriott, Chief Revenue Officer at M-Files
- Carl Oliveri, Chief Revenue Officer at Netchex
- Ryan Polk, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Restaurant365
- Luke Loucks, Men’s Basketball Head Coach at Florida State University
- Anand Mehta, Chief People Officer at Fivetran
- Carmen Twyman, Head of Employment Law & HR Compliance at Puig
- Brett Parker, Chief Financial & Operating Officer at Legends
- Bill Okun, Chief Executive Officer at SchoolStatus
Meet Our Latest NUbies
Expanding Our Expertise in Private Capital Portfolio Hiring
With a deep understanding of private capital-backed leadership needs, Joy Lillis, Associate Partner, and Airis Thomas, Associate, have built a reputation for placing leaders who drive growth and immediate impact.
Joy has 15 years of experience working with public, private, and PE-backed companies across consumer, financial services, and technology. She brings deep expertise in helping high-growth companies scale by identifying the right talent for marketing, sales, business development, innovation, and commercial general management.
Airis specializes in executive search for consumer, entertainment, energy, and technology companies, with a strong focus on recruiting finance officers for Fortune 500 and PE-backed organizations. Her nuanced understanding of workplace dynamics and talent strategy enables her to help companies secure leaders who align with their growth objectives.
We now have over 30 members of the team around the country, with a diverse array of backgrounds and industry expertise. Learn more here. #AvengersAssemble #300
NU Ideas
Our insights on the latest in talent, trends, and industries.
A NU Approach: Practical AI Training for Boards & C-Suite Teams
Interested in a complimentary AI training session to keep your board and executive team ahead of the curve? Schedule a session to learn practical use cases, tools, and strategies tailored for boards and C-suite teams to enhance efficiency, decision-making, and competitive advantage. Read the full article here.
NU Executive Talent Trends in 2025: Venture Capital
The quiet days of VC hiring are over. Portfolio companies are healthier, closer to profitability, and ready to scale—but without the right leadership, they’ll fall behind. Learn what’s driving the change and what it means for firms steering leadership strategy for their portfolio companies in 2025. Read the full article here.
10 Women Business Leaders to Know in 2025
We’re proud to spotlight 10 women who are making waves in business. These leaders are scaling companies, breaking barriers, and paving the way for future generations of women in leadership. Read the full article here.
How NU Helped Restaurant365 Hire a Product & Engineering Leader in 42 Days
In just 42 days, NU placed Ryan Polk as Chief Product & Technology Officer at Restaurant365. In this piece, we break down the challenge, the search process, Ryan’s unique background, key market insights, and the client’s perspective on the results. Read the full article here.
Backchannel Referencing Expertise
Confident hiring decisions require more than surface-level insights. NU’s Backchannel Referencing service offers a tailored approach to get the real story.
We take the time to understand your priorities, review candidate materials to identify potential concerns, and conduct high-quality, discreet references. The result? A comprehensive report that provides clarity, confidence, and actionable insights to make sure your next leadership hire is the right one. If you want to learn more, email nu@nusearch.com.
Do you have an executive hiring need? Reach out here.