Shortlist Search
Shortlist executive search helps purpose-driven organizations hire the right leaders across Africa, India, and 20+ countries
We believe that finding the most impactful and influential leaders for your organization should feel like an adventure. Shortlist will be your trusted advisor along the way.

Shortlist Search
Shortlist executive search helps purpose-driven organizations hire the right leaders across Africa, India, and 20+ countries
We believe that finding the most impactful and influential leaders for your organization should feel like an adventure. Shortlist will be your trusted advisor along the way.

Our Executive Search Team
We’re a mix of experienced headhunters, impact professionals, and startup leaders. We understand the challenges of building teams, and the potential for the right leader to change your trajectory.
Aditi Banerjee
Associate Partner
Vijayendra Bhat
Principal Consultant
Paul Breloff
CEO & Co-Founder
Uday Broca
Managing Partner, Search
Simon Desjardins
Partner, Search & Co-Founder
Ankita Guhathakurta
Associate Partner
Reynold Owuor
Principal Consultant
Gauri Pethe
Principal Consultant
Michael Pierson
Associate Partner
Farida Sanusi
Partner, Search
Mehndi Shivdasani
Principal Consultant
Ashbira Singh
Principal Consultant
Our Executive Search Team
We’re a mix of experienced headhunters, impact professionals, and startup leaders. We understand the challenges of building teams, and the potential for the right leader to change your trajectory.
Our Specialties
Our team of executive search specialists have successfully hired for commercial functions like finance, strategy, operations, marketing & sales; technology functions like product, software engineering, and data; and social impact & non-profit functions like fundraising, program management, and M&E.
Sales & BD | Example Searches
Commercial Director
Head of Business
Head of Business
Head of Growth
Head of BD
Head of BD
Head of BD
Head of Business
Sales & BD | Example Searches
Product & Design | Example Searches
UI/UX Lead
Product Manager
Director of Product
Head of Product
Director of Product
Product Manager
Senior Product Manager
Product Manager
Product & Design | Example Searches
Engineering & Data | Example Searches
Director of Engineering
Head of Data Science
Global Head of Technology
Engineering Lead
Software Architect
Head of Engineering
Technical Team Lead
Head of IT
Engineering & Data | Example Searches
Finance | Example Searches
Head of Finance
CFO
CFO
FP&A Lead
Head of Strategic Finance
Finance Director
Financial Controller
Finance Director
Finance | Example Searches
People & HR | Example Searches
HR Director
Director of HR
Head of Talent
Director of HR & Talent
People Manager
Global Director of People
Operations
India HR Lead
People Director
People & HR | Example Searches
C-Suite & Leadership | Example Searches
CEO
CEO
CEO
Managing Director
CEO
COO
Executive Director – Climate
Change Collaborative
Country Manager
C-Suite & Leadership | Example Searches
Social Impact & Non-Profit | Example Searches
Head of Fundraising
Senior Director
Director of Communications
Project Director
Head of Conservation
Programs
East Africa Regional Director
Senior Program Director
Country Director
Social Impact & Non-Profit | Example Searches
Our Approach
Four steps to completing a successful executive search.
In-depth consultation
Sample profile
calibration
Market research
Tailored JD distribution
Sector & function expert referrals
Experience-based market-mapping
Fit analysis
Competency-based screening
Discrete engagement & role pitching
Interview scheduling
Compensation benchmarking
Negotiation & closing support
We go beyond “who we know” and follow a structured, research-driven, executive search approach for every role. We combine thoughtful distribution, including to our database of over 1M professionals, with more targeted research on passive candidates via specialist sourcing partners and market mapping. Our market and industry depth helps us focus on the most promising pools of talent, coming from the right companies and experience and with the right skills and values to ensure success.
As we hone in on the right candidate pool, our Shortlist Search consultants will focus on outreach to cultivate interest and evaluate candidates against the role must-haves and the soft factors of fit and values.
With over 25 executive search consultants and researchers across Kenya and India, we support end-to-end hiring of middle managers to senior leaders in high-growth startups, global enterprises, and leading impact organizations. We meet clients where they’re at, with permanent hiring, staffing, and “virtual talent partner” models available.
Our goal is to not only develop a fantastic shortlist of well-suited executives, but also support you through the entire process, including market insights, compensation benchmarking, offer negotiation, and the right pre-boarding and integration approach to ensure new hires hit the ground running and thrive over time.
Our Approach
Four steps to completing a successful executive search.

We go beyond “who we know” and follow a structured, research-driven, executive search approach for every role. We combine thoughtful distribution, including to our database of over 1M professionals, with more targeted research on passive candidates via specialist sourcing partners and market mapping. Our market and industry depth helps us focus on the most promising pools of talent, coming from the right companies and experience and with the right skills and values to ensure success.
As we hone in on the right candidate pool, our Shortlist Search consultants will focus on outreach to cultivate interest and evaluate candidates against the role must-haves and the soft factors of fit and values.
With over 25 executive search consultants and researchers across Kenya and India, we support end-to-end hiring of middle managers to senior leaders in high-growth startups, global enterprises, and leading impact organizations. We meet clients where they’re at, with permanent hiring, staffing, and “virtual talent partner” models available.
Our goal is to not only develop a fantastic shortlist of well-suited executives, but also support you through the entire process, including market insights, compensation benchmarking, offer negotiation, and the right pre-boarding and integration approach to ensure new hires hit the ground running and thrive over time.