Making an Impact
3 Interviews, 1 Hire
It is an astounding ratio: 3.12:1 since 2011. For every three candidates we present, the odds say you'll hire at least one.
Sky-High Retention
We have one of the highest retention rates in recruiting: 82% of our placements remain with your organization after three years.
Global Capability
Our global reach stems from recruitment in 44 states and extends to 55 countries in nearly 100 offices around the world.
With more than 50 years as its foundation, Charles Aris Executive Search quickly identifies and delivers world-class leaders who are qualified, available and interested in enhancing your organization.
Clients choose and return to Charles Aris for its expertise, execution, focus on cultural fit and pinpoint deliverables. That's why Charles Aris is trusted by organizations around the world, from start-ups to Fortune 500 firms.
In addition to its industry-specific recruiting practices, Charles Aris addresses your organizational needs across these integral functions as well:
- Engineering, Operations & Supply Chain
- Executive Leadership
- Finance & Accounting
- Human Capital
- Private Equity & Asset Management
- Sales & Marketing
- Strategy & Corporate Development
Expertise
Meet the Practice Leaders of Charles Aris
Mitch Oakley
Founder & Chair – Practice Leader
Charles Aris Capital Partners
Diversified industries
Charles Aris Inc. founder and chairman Mitch Oakley has led the retained executive search firm since 1969.
View Mitch Oakley's full bio.
Julia Opaleski
Director, Consumer & Retail
Strategy Practice
Julia Opaleski is an associate practice leader with a functional focus on Strategy & Corporate Development.
View Julia Opaleski's full bio.
Chad Oakley
CEO – Practice Leader
Strategy & Corporate Development
Diversified
Chad Oakley serves as the CEO of Charles Aris Inc. and as the firm’s primary practice leader for Strategy & Corporate Development.
View Chad Oakley's full bio.
Allen Oakley
Chief Operating Officer
Charles Aris Executive Search
Charles Aris Capital Partners
Allen Oakley serves as the COO of Charles Aris Inc. and as the firm’s primary practice leader for Real Estate.
View Allen Oakley's full bio.
Greg Harper
Senior VP – Practice Leader
Engineering & Operations
Chemicals; Industrial Manufacturing
Charles Aris Inc. senior vice president Greg Harper serves as the company’s primary practice leader for Engineering & Operations and Sales & Marketing.
View Greg Harper's full bio.
Jim Etling
Senior VP – Practice Leader
Finance & Accounting
Private Equity
Jim Etling serves as the firm’s primary practice leader for Private Equity as well as Finance & Accounting.
View Jim Etling's full bio.
Steven Stewart
Vice President – Practice Leader
Strategy & Corporate Development
TMT; Industrials
Steven Stewart is a Strategy & Corporate Development vice president with an industry focus on Technology, Media & Telecom.
View Steven Stewart's full bio.
Jill Jitima
Vice President – Practice Leader
Strategy & Corporate Development
Consumer; Retail
Charles Aris vice president Jill Jitima is a Strategy & Corporate Development practice leader with a Consumer / Retail industry focus.
View Jill Jitima's full bio.
Ashlee Wagner
Vice President – Practice Leader
Strategy & Corporate Development
Financial Services
Ashlee Wagner is a Strategy & Corporate Development practice leader for the financial services industry.
View Ashlee Wagner's full bio.
Jody Karavanic Bischoff
Vice President – Practice Leader
Strategy & Corporate Development
Healthcare; Life Sciences
Jody Bischoff is a Strategy & Corporate Development practice leader for the healthcare industry.
View Jody Karavanic Bischoff's full bio.
TJ Deal
Vice President – Practice Leader
Corporate Development
Private Equity
T.J. Deal is an Industrials; Technology, and Media & Telecom vice president leader with a functional focus on Strategy & Corporate Development.
View TJ Deal's full bio.
Ryan Morgan
Practice Leader
Finance & Accounting
Ryan Morgan is a senior associate practice leader with focus on the Finance & Accounting and Consumer industries.
View Ryan Morgan's full bio.
Diane DeRosa-Fedor
Practice Leader
Corporate Development
Diane DeRosa-Fedor is a practice leader at Charles Aris Executive Search. Her primary focus is on Corporate Development and M&A roles for organizations in the transportation and technology industries.
Prior to joining Charles Aris, Diane worked in corporate talent acquisition for executive, finance and corporate development hires.
Diane earned both her bachelor’s degree in sales marketing and master’s degree in business administration from Western Kentucky University.
In her free time, Diane can be found running from soccer, baseball and ballet practice with her husband, Glenn, and two children, Gavin and Olivia. When not on the sports field, Diane can be found traveling with her family; making big Italian dinners; and checking items off her to-do list.
Diane’s content
M&A search volume grows despite market concerns
New normal: What candidates are looking for in new roles
View Diane DeRosa-Fedor's full bio.
Jacob Watkins
Associate Practice Leader
Strategy & CorpDev
Financial Services
Jacob Watkins is an associate practice leader who recruits across multiple practices at Charles Aris Inc.
View Jacob Watkins's full bio.
Kevin Stemke
Associate Practice Leader
Diversified practices
Kevin Stemke is a senior associate at Charles Aris who recruits across multiple practices.
View Kevin Stemke's full bio.
Rebecca Conway
Associate Practice Leader
DEI Manager Diversified practices
Rebecca Conway is an associate practice leader who recruits across multiple practices at Charles Aris Inc.
View Rebecca Conway's full bio.
Clifton Vaughan
Associate Practice Leader
Diversified practices
Clifton Vaughan is an associate practice leader who recruits across multiple practices at Charles Aris Executive Search.
View Clifton Vaughan's full bio.
Mark Sapienza
Practice Leader
Sales & Marketing
Consumer Durables
Mark is a practice leader at Charles Aris Executive Search with a primary focus on Consumer Durables for Sales, Marketing and Product Development roles.
Mark is an experienced leader in the consumer durables space with a 25-year career leading sales, marketing and product development with several prominent consumer brands. Most recently, Mark served as executive vice president at HoMedics, a leader in the health and wellness space.
One of Mark’s passions throughout his career has been building high-performing organizations by identifying and developing A-level talent.
Mark earned his MBA from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Northern Illinois University.
In his free time Mark enjoys golf, skiing, biking and playing guitar.
Key documents
2022 Charles Aris Sales & Marketing Offer Report: Charles Aris coordinated a variety of accepted offers to leaders in the Sales & Marketing function. We’re confident you’ll find this report helpful as you hire sales and marketing talent for your organization. Download your copy now.
Mark’s content
Mark Sapienza talks sustainability and shares advice for sales and marketing professionals
Meet new Charles Aris practice leader Mark Sapienza
View Mark Sapienza's full bio.
Josh Kotelnicki
Practice LeaderCorporate Development
Healthcare; Life Sciences
Josh Kotelnicki is a senior associate practice leader who recruits across multiple practices at Charles Aris Executive Search.
View Josh Kotelnicki's full bio.
Derek Gracey
Practice Leader
Human Capital
Derek Gracey is a senior associate practice leader with a functional focus on Human Capital.
View Derek Gracey's full bio.
Take a stance
Read about how associate practice leader Rebecca Conway is taking the lead in our first Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.
Learn More
On the move
With increased inflation, relocating can be difficult. We’ve compiled three tips on how clients and candidates can constructively negotiate relocation.
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Ready to hire
Discover our hiring resources webpage to explore our most recent compensation studies, reports and deliverables across industries.
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Finding empowerment
Learn from Jill Jitima and Julia Opaleski, vice president and associate practice leader, respectively, about the power of a strong mentor-mentee relationship.
Learn More
