In this new Tailored Talent episode, Eric Walczykowski talks with Katelyn Quaresma, Head of our Finance Practice, about the forces driving one of the tightest CFO and VP Finance markets in recent years. They examine why proven CFO supply has constricted, why number two roles are up more than fifty percent year over year, and how step up candidates and CFOO or CFO+ profiles are becoming critical to filling essential leadership gaps. Katelyn also covers shifting geo requirements, equity realism in compensation discussions, and what it takes to secure top financial talent as new platforms accelerate and exits approach.

Get deeper insights by downloading your version of our newest release of the Private Equity Talent Report, Talent Market Update: https://www.bespokepartners.com/private-equity-talent-report/

Bespoke Partners CEO Eric Walczykowski joins Partner and Go-To-Market Practice Lead Tess Fischer for a deep dive into the shifting dynamics of go-to-market leadership across private equity-backed software companies. They discuss why turnover remains high, how compensation continues to climb, and what it takes to secure top talent as firms level up ahead of exits in an increasingly competitive market.

Get deeper insights by downloading your version of our newest release of the Private Equity Talent Report, Talent Market Update: https://www.bespokepartners.com/private-equity-talent-report/

In this episode of Tailored Talent, CEO Eric Walczykowski sits down with Matt Sommi, Head of Private Equity Partnerships at Bespoke Partners, to discuss how his team creates alignment and continuity across multiple funds.

Eric and Matt explore how Bespoke’s partnership model and proprietary tools like the Executive Index and Calibrator deliver transparency, speed, and precision—transforming how private equity firms engage with search partners.

Join for insights about consultative pre-deal engagement, how Calibrator and the Executive Index provide real-time market insight, and why blending data with human expertise drives stronger leadership outcomes.

Get deeper insights by downloading your version of our newest release of the Private Equity Talent Report, Talent Market Update: https://www.bespokepartners.com/private-equity-talent-report/

In this episode of Tailored Talent, Bespoke Partners CEO Eric Walczykowski sits down with Ryan Bonner, Partner and Head of our Product & Tech Leadership Practice, to discuss the surge in executive searches across technology and product leadership.

They explore how AI is transforming both roles, why offshoring strategies now require more nuanced leadership, and how customer-centric, P&L-driven product leaders are shaping value creation in PE-backed software and SaaS businesses.

Watch to learn more about how Bespoke Partners builds transformative leadership teams. 

Watch the video here 

Learn more about Bespoke Partners Product & Tech Leadership Practice

Get deeper insights by downloading your version of our newest release of the Private Equity Talent Report, Talent Market Update: https://www.bespokepartners.com/private-equity-talent-report/

What happens when data science meets the art of executive search? In this episode of Tailored Talent, Bespoke Partners CEO Eric Walczykowski sits down with Bruno Kern, Research Operations Manager and Executive Index evangelist, to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping the fundamentals of research, recruiting, and client delivery.

From the early days of manual market mapping to today’s AI-powered precision, Bruno shares how Bespoke’s Executive Index grew from 10,000 to more than 670,000 executives and reached 92% accuracy in matching leaders to scorecards. The conversation explores how this innovation redefines the researcher’s role, accelerates search velocity, and elevates client confidence through tools like Calibrator—enabling real-time scorecard negotiation and unmatched market transparency.

Watch how Bespoke’s technology and team are transforming the future of executive search.

Explore how the Bespoke Partners Executive Index delivers speed, precision, and market intelligence for your next leadership search.

Get deeper insights by downloading your version of our newest release of the Private Equity Talent Report, Talent Market Update: https://www.bespokepartners.com/private-equity-talent-report/

In this episode of Tailored Talent, Bespoke Partners CEO Eric Walczykowski sits down with Ryan Tognazzini, Partner at ETJ Life, to explore the art and challenge of succeeding a founder as CEO. 

They discuss what it takes to honor a founder’s legacy while establishing your own leadership style, how to navigate team and culture transitions, and why emotional intelligence and self-awareness are vital for success in private equity-backed environments. 

Ryan also shares how ETJ Life helps CEOs sustain performance without sacrificing personal well-being through its Navigator and Sage programs.

Get deeper insights by downloading your version of our newest release of the Private Equity Talent Report, Talent Market Update: https://www.bespokepartners.com/private-equity-talent-report/

Part 1 set the stage: rate cuts, exits reopening across IPOs, sponsor to sponsor, and strategic sales, plus a backlog of nearly 12,500 portfolio assets that will keep the executive market tight. 

Part 2 goes deeper into what that means for sponsors right now. Eric Walczykowski and Adam Boone unpack why search velocity is mission critical, how a top down view of nearly 700,000 software executives drives 100 percent market visibility, and why an 84 percent candidate engagement rate translates into faster close times around 75 days on average.

Watch Part 1: https://www.bespokepartners.com/tailored-talent-insights/pes-road-to-reset-rate-cut-exits-reopening-talent-market-impact-part-i/

Request the Market Update of our Private Equity Talent Report: https://www.bespokepartners.com/private-equity-talent-report/

Get deeper insights by downloading your version of our newest release of the Private Equity Talent Report, Talent Market Update: https://www.bespokepartners.com/private-equity-talent-report/

The rate cut and pressure for liquidity are resetting private equity. Exits are reopening, pipelines are filling, and dealmakers anticipate a strong 12–24 month run. But with momentum comes a challenge: a record backlog of 12,500+ portfolio companies has created one of the tightest executive talent markets on record.

Our newly released 2H2025 Software & SaaS Talent Market Update details these shifts — from rising compensation and rebounding equity values to early-stage C-suite buildouts and historically low turnover.

In this episode of Tailored Talent, Bespoke Partners CEO Eric Walczykowski and CCO Adam Boone unpack the implications of the report, including:

• Why rate cuts are reigniting IPOs, sponsor-to-sponsor deals, and take-privates
• How the backlog of portfolio assets is intensifying competition for proven leaders
• Which leadership roles are most critical heading into exits and new platform launches
• Why search velocity is now a competitive advantage in securing elite talent

Download the full Talent Market Update here: https://www.bespokepartners.com/private-equity-talent-report/

Get deeper insights by downloading your version of our newest release of the Private Equity Talent Report, Talent Market Update: https://www.bespokepartners.com/private-equity-talent-report/

In this episode of Tailored Talent, Eric Walczykowski sits down with Michael Finegold and Jared Moriarty of B Industrials to explore the launch of Bespoke Partners’ Industrials Leadership Practice.

Michael and Jared discuss what drew them to B Industrials, how data-driven market mapping and back-channel validation fuel successful placements, the key subsectors and functional roles they’re targeting in 2025, and the growing synergy between technology and industrial operations.

Gain actionable insights on building high-impact leadership teams. Register today!

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B Industrials provides unmatched access to executive talent across the Industrial sector, including aerospace & defense, energy and utilities, critical infrastructure, automotive, and many more.

Based on nearly 15 years serving the private equity sector, Bespoke's unique search process maps executive skillsets and track records to value creation plans, enabling private equity sponsors to achieve the investment theses.

B Industrials recruits the full range of executives including CEOs, Presidents, CFOs, CROs, CMOs, CHROs, COOs, Senior Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents in every corporate function.

Find out why B Industrials is the recruiting partner of choice for leading Industrials investors.

https://www.bespokepartners.com/b-industrials/

Get deeper insights by downloading your version of our newest release of the Private Equity Talent Report, Talent Market Update: https://www.bespokepartners.com/private-equity-talent-report/

Part Three in this Tailored Talent series brings Bespoke Partners CEO Eric Walczykowski together with Rob Greenhalgh, Managing Director, Private Equity Partnerships at Summit Leadership Partners, to explore how a clear personal statement anchors culture and accelerates results.

Gain practical guidance on articulating values, aligning leaders, and driving growth across portfolio companies.

Get deeper insights by downloading your version of our newest release of the Private Equity Talent Report, Talent Market Update: https://www.bespokepartners.com/private-equity-talent-report/