Tailored Talent

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/

In this episode of Tailored Talent, Eric Walczykowski sits down with Alex Bossetta, HR expert and talent leader at Bespoke Partners, to break down what’s shifting across the talent landscape in 2025. From ROI expectations to strategic alignment with the investment thesis, the pressure is on for HR leaders to deliver more than tactical support.

Topics include:
- The rise in demand for strategic people leaders
- Business and financial acumen as must-haves for HR roles
- How comp is shifting to equity-heavy packages
- Why retention, development, and culture are non-negotiables

This is the reality of people leadership in a high-stakes environment—and why getting it right is core to value creation in private equity.

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 Part 2, Eric Walczykowski continues his conversation with Clutch Insights co-founders Debbie Ellisen and Stephanie Usry to reveal how setting crystal-clear expectations at every level transforms team dynamics and individual performance. Learn why explicit agreements, including defining who does what, by when, and to what standard, are the foundation for accountability and sustained excellence.

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 Stephanie Usry and Debbie Ellisen, co-founders of Clutch Insights.

Drawing from their experience as startup operators, executive coaches, and leadership advisors, they share how Clutch is helping teams and boards move faster with clear, actionable feedback.

Topics include:
- Why ambiguous assumptions derail execution
- How scorecards surface real team dynamics from day one
- Why explicit expectations are the next frontier in leadership performance

Join to hear more about how Clutch’s strategy, culture, and execution framework is already reshaping how executive teams in PE-backed companies align, prioritize, and perform.

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/

Join Bespoke Partners' Eric Walczykowski and Ryan Bonner as they discuss emerging 2025 trends shaping tech leadership, including the growing role of AI in strategic planning, the resurgence of strong counteroffers amid risk aversion, and steady compensation dynamics. Learn how successful private equity-backed firms leverage data-driven insights to build high-performing tech teams.

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/