The Alexander Group proudly announces Leah Salinas has joined the firm as a Director in its Houston office. Salinas’ clients include a broad range of middle-market companies, and private equity and venture capital firms.
“Leah’s record of helping clients build impactful executive management teams—particularly in the energy sector—is a terrific fit for us,” said Amanda Brady, Managing Director of The Alexander Group. “We are delighted to welcome her to our team.”
Salinas has extensive experience recruiting energy executives for leadership roles, with an emphasis on midstream, transition, and carbon capture, and also for the industrial, manufacturing, distribution, technology, and construction sectors.
“I am thrilled to join The Alexander Group, with its 40 year history, a global presence, and outstanding reputation. The firm’s client-first commitment, coupled with its research-intensive approach, gives it a competitive edge and makes it an exceptional home for long-lasting client relationships,” Salinas said.
Lykos Therapeutics appoints Allison Rosenthal to lead the commercialization of its transformative mental health treatment platform.
Lykos Therapeutics, a purpose-driven biopharmaceutical company pioneering novel mental health treatments, partnered with The Alexander Group, a global executive search firm, to recruit a Chief Commercial Officer. As Lykos prepared for a groundbreaking commercial launch, the company sought a strategic commercial leader with deep experience in CNS, global commercialization, and patient-centric go-to-market planning.
Key Leadership Need
Lykos’ Chief Commercial Officer would need to `build and scale the organization’s commercial operations, including marketing, market access, sales, distribution, and patient support. The ideal candidate would combine enterprise-level experience with a founder’s mindset—capable of translating science into market impact while navigating a fast-moving regulatory and cultural landscape.
The Alexander Group’s Approach
Managing Director Beth Ehrgott led a targeted search across global biotech and pharmaceutical leadership. The search focused on executives who have built successful commercialization strategies in CNS, neuropsychiatry, or similarly complex therapeutic areas.
Search priorities include:
Experience leading commercialization in regulated and emerging markets.
Proven ability to scale commercial teams and infrastructure from early stage to launch.
Deep knowledge of the U.S. healthcare system, market access, and patient engagement strategy.
Allison Rosenthal emerges as the ideal fit with decades of experience at companies like Otsuka and Bristol-Myers Squibb, where she leads large-scale CNS commercial teams and advises executive leadership on launch strategy, brand positioning, and revenue growth.
Successful Placement and Impact
Allison Rosenthal joins Lykos Therapeutics as Chief Commercial Officer. She oversees commercialization strategy for the company’s groundbreaking therapeutic platform, working closely with the CEO, COO, and Board to bring a new mental health treatment model to market.
Immediate Impact:
Leads go-to-market strategy across sales, access, marketing, and patient support.
Builds commercial infrastructure to support rapid and sustainable growth.
Partners with executive leadership on launch planning, stakeholder alignment, and scalability.
Positions Lykos as a category-defining force in modern mental health care.
Insights from the Recruiter
“Allison has tremendous commercial leadership experience in psychiatry and mental health, and is the perfect cultural fit for the Lykos team with her warmth and contagious enthusiasm to bring psychedelic-assisted therapy across the finish line to those suffering [from] PTSD. She is and will continue to be an inspiring champion for all who struggle with mental health issues.”
– Beth Ehrgott, Managing Director, The Alexander Group
About Lykos Therapeutics
Lykos Therapeutics is a public benefit corporation dedicated to transforming mental health care through science-backed innovation. With a focus on developing breakthrough therapies in neuropsychiatry, Lykos combines rigorous research, ethical leadership, and patient-first commercialization.
About The Alexander Group
The Alexander Group is a global executive search firm based in Houston. With expertise spanning biotech, life sciences, healthcare, and mission-driven organizations, the firm helps high-growth companies recruit the transformative leaders who move science from bench to bedside.Bringing innovation to market starts with the right leadership. The Alexander Group helps build the teams that drive breakthrough science forward.
Life Science Cares is a nonprofit organization that leverages the power of the life science industry to solve poverty by uniting the human and financial resources of life science companies and industry leaders.
Life Science Cares works with organizations in the areas of basic human survival (hunger, homelessness, domestic abuse, crime prevention, etc.), education (STEM education, college preparation and college success, educational enrichment and inspiration) and sustainability (job creation, job training, mentoring and economic development.)
Life Science Cares operates in Boston, Philadelphia, San Diego, the San Francisco Bay area and New York—five locations that are home to mass companies working in biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical technology and research.
Beth joins other industry leaders who shape and support the work of Life Science Cares across the country, but don’t live in one of the hub cities.
“Thank you Rob Perez and Sarah MacDonald for all that you do! I am humbled and honored to join the Life Science Cares family and excited to help champion such an inspiring mission!” said Beth.
Beth is the Head of The Alexander Group’s Global Life Sciences Practice, bringing more than 35 years of both global and national business development and executive search expertise to The Alexander Group.
She has conducted searches for top C-Suite executives across research and development, commercial, finance, corporate development, tech ops, legal, information technology, compliance, human resources, and diversity and inclusion for Fortune 500 companies as well as private equity/venture capital backed emerging growth clients across multiple industries, including pharmaceutical, generics, biotech, medical device, consumer packaged goods, manufacturing, not-for-profit, retail, financial services, and professional services.
Prior to joining The Alexander Group, Beth was Head of Talent Acquisition for Europe & ROW as well as Head of Global Talent Acquisition Projects for Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics. Beth was tapped by this newly formed division of Novartis not only for her consultative approach to executive search but also for her proven track record to achieve the “slightly impossible.”
Previously, Beth was Co-founder & Partner of a national interim staffing firm that recruited executive level human resources professionals for a Fortune 500 client base.
Sacks Tierney appoints Heather Duncan to lead firmwide operations and strategic growth.
Sacks Tierney, a full-service law firm with a 60-year track record serving clients across Arizona, partners with The Alexander Group, a global executive search firm, to recruit a Chief Operating Officer. As the firm continues to grow its presence in the region, it seeks an operational leader to modernize internal systems, enhance firm performance, and support long-term strategic planning.
Key Leadership Need
Sacks Tierney seeks a Chief Operating Officer to oversee the firm’s business and administrative operations while aligning daily processes with long-term growth goals. The ideal candidate is a seasoned law firm executive with strong experience in finance, HR, business strategy, and firm culture.
The Alexander Group’s Approach
Director Sarah Mitchell leads a national search focused on law firm operations executives with deep experience in strategic planning, operational efficiency, and organizational leadership.
Search priorities include:
Proven success leading legal operations across multiple office environments
Strength in financial management, process improvement, and people leadership
Experience partnering with firm leadership on long-term strategic planning
Heather Duncan is the ideal candidate, with prior COO roles at McGinnis Lochridge, Vogel Law Firm, and Garfield & Hecht. She brings a legacy of optimizing law firm operations, building collaborative team cultures, and aligning back-office functions with business goals.
Successful Placement and Impact
Heather Duncan joins Sacks Tierney as Chief Operating Officer, where she leads firmwide operations, strategic initiatives, and cross-functional collaboration to support the firm’s continued growth and client service excellence.
Immediate Impact:
Aligns internal operations with firmwide growth priorities
Modernizes infrastructure across finance, HR, and administration
Strengthens leadership team collaboration and resource planning
Enhances organizational culture through transparency and team development
Insights from the Recruiter
“Heather’s business acumen, operational experience, emotional intelligence, and growth mindset will be the perfect complement to Sacks Tierney’s leadership team as they continue to build the firm.”
– Sarah Mitchell, Director, The Alexander Group
About Sacks Tierney
Founded in 1960, Sacks Tierney is a Scottsdale-based law firm serving businesses, governments, individuals, and tribal nations throughout Arizona. Known for legal excellence and long-term client relationships, the firm is committed to delivering high-quality counsel in litigation, real estate, Indian law, business law, and more.
About The Alexander Group
The Alexander Group is a global executive search firm based in Houston. The firm partners with law firms and professional services organizations to recruit operational and strategic leaders who elevate performance, culture, and growth.
Behind every high-performing firm is a strong operational foundation. The Alexander Group helps legal teams find the leaders who make that possible.
HOUSTON—The Alexander Group proudly announces the addition of seasoned international executive Sally King to the firm’s advisory and consulting team. King brings extensive experience in global operations, strategic planning, merger planning and integration, finance, and all aspects of operational management to the consulting role.
King will play a pivotal part in furthering The Alexander Group’s mission to provide unparalleled strategic guidance to its diverse clientele. With more than 30 years of experience working with global, national, and regional law firms, King’s knowledge expands The Alexander Group’s ability to serve clients through team and executive assessment, advisory, and consulting strategies.
“We have followed Sally’s career and her impact on the firms for whom she has worked for decades,” said John Lamar, Managing Director at The Alexander Group. “She is an outstanding thought leader in this rapidly evolving industry.”
Prior to joining The Alexander Group, King served as Regional Chief Operating Officer for Clifford Chance, Chief Operating Officer for Dentons and Akin Gump, completing her career at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler.
“I am excited to embark on this new journey with The Alexander Group,” said Sally King. “I have long admired the firm’s dedication to excellence and its unwavering commitment to client success.”
King holds an MBA from Columbia University Graduate School of Business and is a fellow of the College of Law Practice Management and has served on the Boards of British American Business, Infinite Global Consulting, and the Board of Advisors for Catalyst. She is a certified Executive Coach and a member of the International Coaching Council. King was also a Special Advisor to the New York State Bar Association Committee on Law Practice Management.
Prothena appoints David A. Ford to lead talent strategy and organizational development.
Client: Prothena | Role: Chief People Officer | Candidate: David A. Ford
Prothena, a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company advancing therapies for rare peripheral amyloid and neurodegenerative diseases, partnered with The Alexander Group, a global executive search firm, to recruit a Chief People Officer. As the company is scaling its commercial and research operations globally, it needed a people-first executive to build a world-class HR function to support innovation, rapid growth, and cultural alignment.
Key Leadership Need
Prothena wanted a Chief People Officer, a leader with experience scaling HR in complex science-driven environments who can align people and systems to support culture, speed, and cross-border growth.
The Alexander Group’s Approach
Managing Director Beth Ehrgott conducted a focused search targeting senior HR leaders in the biopharmaceutical and life sciences sectors with a track record of delivering scalable people strategies across multiple geographies.
Search priorities included:
Global HR leadership experience across the U.S., Europe, and LATAM markets.
Proven success building HR infrastructure for commercial-stage biotechs.
A strong background in talent management, culture-building, and executive coaching.
David A. Ford emerged as the clear fit. With over two decades of experience at Intercept, Sanofi, and the New Zealand Dairy Board, he will bring a rare combination of operational depth and strategic agility in global human capital leadership.
Successful Placement and Impact
David A. Ford will join Prothena to lead the company’s global people strategy, overseeing HR operations, talent development, and leadership alignment to support rapid organizational growth.
Immediate Impact:
Lead the development of a scalable, globally aligned HR infrastructure.
Build executive and cross-functional talent frameworks for future expansion.
Strengthen culture through leadership development and employee engagement.
Partner with the CEO and leadership team to align people strategy with the company’s mission and values.
Insights from the Recruiter
“David is passionately interested in the business, cares about the science and patients, and is a contagious champion of culture, people, and the value human resources can bring to achieve a company’s mission and goals. He is a wonderful fit for Prothena, and especially at this pivotal time as the company moves closer to becoming a fully integrated commercial-stage biopharma organization.”
– Beth Ehrgott, Managing Director, The Alexander Group.
About Prothena
Prothena is a global, late-stage clinical company focused on discovering and developing novel therapies for rare and complex diseases involving protein dysregulation, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and AL amyloidosis. The company’s mission is to change the course of disease and improve lives through breakthrough science.
About The Alexander Group
The Alexander Group is a global executive search firm headquartered in Houston. With deep expertise across biotech, life sciences, and corporate leadership, the firm partners with organizations that are scaling innovation and transforming healthcare.
When science moves fast, people’s strategy needs to move faster. The Alexander Group helps growing companies hire leaders who make that possible.
Moore & Van Allen appoints Elizabeth Satterfield to lead firmwide operations and strategic legal services delivery.
Client: Moore & Van Allen | Role: Chief Operating Officer | Candidate: Elizabeth Satterfield
Moore & Van Allen, a top-ranked Am Law 200 firm known for its commitment to client service and innovation, partners with The Alexander Group, a global executive search firm, to recruit a Chief Operating Officer. As the firm continues to grow and modernize its legal services delivery, it seeks an experienced operational leader to guide cross-functional performance and drive strategic value across all departments.
Key Leadership Need
Moore & Van Allen seeks a Chief Operating Officer to lead firm operations, focusing on legal project management, innovation, and process optimization. The ideal candidate has experience managing legal operations at scale, developing enterprise-wide initiatives, and implementing technology and process frameworks that enhance efficiency and client outcomes.
The Alexander Group’s Approach
Director Sarah Mitchell leads a national search targeting law firm leaders with deep experience in legal operations, pricing, knowledge management, and cross-functional leadership.
Search priorities included:
Proven success in building firmwide LPM, pricing, and innovation programs.
Experience leading global teams and managing legal services infrastructure.
Strong track record of improving operational efficiency while enhancing client value.
Elizabeth Satterfield rises to the top with nearly a decade of executive-level experience at firms including Proskauer Rose and Baker Donelson, where she built and led LPM and innovation teams that drove measurable results.
Successful Placement and Impact
Elizabeth Satterfield joins Moore & Van Allen as Chief Operating Officer. She leads operational strategy across the firm, focusing on innovation, process improvement, and scalable legal services delivery models that strengthen performance across the firm’s practice areas.
Immediate Impact:
Leads modernization of legal operations across practice groups and administrative functions.
Builds cross-functional teams to support innovation, pricing, and project delivery.
Aligns internal systems and teams to firmwide strategic goals.
Enhances data and process visibility to support decision-making and resource management.
About Moore & Van Allen
Moore & Van Allen PLLC is a full-service law firm serving clients nationally and internationally from offices in North Carolina. With more than 300 attorneys, the firm is known for its sophisticated legal counsel, collaborative culture, and commitment to innovation in service delivery.
About The Alexander Group
The Alexander Group is a global executive search firm headquartered in Houston. With deep expertise in legal operations and law firm leadership, the firm helps Am Law firms recruit senior executives who deliver performance, scalability, and innovation.
Operational excellence is what turns strategy into execution. The Alexander Group helps firms find the leadership that brings it all together.
HOUSTON—As a leading provider of executive search firm services, The Alexander Group celebrates its 40th anniversary by continuing to evolve and grow with the integration of sister firm Alex & Red and the launch of its Professional Services Division. The integration of Alex & Red into The Alexander Group expands the firm’s ability to provide a holistic solution to recruiting high-quality executives across an organization unrelated to its size. The merger is effective March 13, 2024.
The Alexander Group, led by Managing Directors Jane Howze and John Lamar, established Alex & Red in 2011, with The Alexander Group’s executive John Mann at the helm, to help entrepreneurial organizations recruit their leaders, as well as recruit future C-Suite leaders for existing clients. Under Mann’s leadership, Alex & Red was an immediate success, building a national client base in multiple industries and functional areas. The firm was recognized for successfully completing “hard to fill” positions with superior talent.
“Prior to the creation of Alex & Red, our clients asked us to help them recruit outstanding mid-level managers who would be future C-Suite leaders. At the time, we hadn’t focused on how few options our clients had for getting the quality of search The Alexander Group offers at the Board and C-suite level for mid-management positions. Combining Alex & Red’s success with ours, we can better serve our clients by offering an integrated firm that fills all their leadership needs,” said John Lamar.
Lamar adds, “In addition to offering clients one home for all their executive needs, the merger allows the firm to tailor search teams with uniquely broad industry, capabilities, and functional search experience.
“I was privileged to build and lead the team at Alex & Red that brought The Alexander Group’s commitment to client service and excellence to younger and more entrepreneurial companies. As a result, both Alex & Red and its clients have grown in a very short time to the point that it makes sense to integrate both firms into a seamless organization that will fulfill all our clients’ needs,” said John Mann, Managing Director, The Alexander Group.
Alex & Red Managing Director Jonathan Verlander joins The Alexander Group’s robust staff of executive search consultants including founder Jane Howze, CEO John Lamar, Managing Director and Chief Client Officer Amanda Brady, and Director of Research, Kyle Robinson.
About The Alexander Group Executive Search Firm Services
Established in 1984, The Alexander Group has provided top-tier executive search firm services for over 40 years, positioning itself as an industry-leading global executive search firm. Specializing in Board and C-Suite searches across a wide array of industries—including Legal and Professional Services, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Financial Services, Industrial and Manufacturing, Energy, and Not-For-Profit—the firm is recognized for its commitment to long-term client relationships, a highly acclaimed research capability, and a dedication to recruiting leaders who make a difference.
