The Alexander Group

Tag: Amanda K. Brady

Reed Smith LLP enhances global client engagement with the appointment of Gillian Ward.​

Gillian Ward Headshot B&W Reed Smitch LLP

Client: Reed Smith LLP | Role: Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer | Candidate: Gillian Ward

Search Consultants: Amanda K. Brady, Sarah Mitchell, Pam DeLuca​

Overview

Reed Smith LLP, a dynamic international law firm with over 1,700 attorneys across 30 offices worldwide, partnered with The Alexander Group to identify a strategic leader for the Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer role. The firm sought an executive capable of unifying its global marketing and business development strategies to support continued growth and integration.​

Key Leadership Need

The firm required a seasoned professional to align marketing, client development, and operational initiatives across its global platform. The ideal candidate needed extensive experience building integrated strategies across jurisdictions, supporting firm-wide growth, and serving as a key executive partner to the firm’s leadership.​

The Alexander Group’s Approach

The Alexander Group’s executive search team—led by Managing Director and Chief Client Officer Amanda K. Brady, Director Sarah Mitchell, and Associate Pam DeLuca—conducted a comprehensive international search focusing on senior marketing executives with a proven track record in global law firm environments.​

Our Tailored Approach:

  • Developed a tailored search strategy aligned with Reed Smith’s vision for worldwide integration and client-centric growth​
  • Identified senior leaders experienced in marketing transformation and operational execution across multiple geographies​
  • Assessed candidates for executive presence, strategic capability, and alignment with firm leadership​

Successful Placement and Impact

“Gillian is a key strategic hire for our firm as we focus on growing client relationships and expanding our presence in new and existing markets.

– Nick Bagiatis, Chief Operating Officer, Reed Smith LLP

Gillian Ward, formerly the Global Chief Marketing Officer at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP (US), was appointed Reed Smith’s Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer. She previously held senior leadership roles at Baker Botts LLP and brings extensive expertise in market development, client growth programs, and strategy formulation.​

Immediate benefits:

  • Unified Global Marketing Strategy: Gillian will oversee the integration of marketing and business development functions across Reed Smith’s 30 international offices.​
  • Strategic Growth Leadership: She brings a data-driven, client-focused approach to marketing that supports Reed Smith’s continued platform expansion.​
  • Executive Collaboration: As a key partner to the firm’s leadership, Gillian will contribute directly to high-level strategy and decision-making.​

Insights from the Executive Search Team

“Gillian brings broad experience helping global law firms design and integrate marketing and business development initiatives across practices and continents, ensuring a comprehensive and holistic approach to support growth. She will be a key member of Reed Smith’s executive team and the ideal partner to Chair Casey Ryan and COO Nick Bagiatis as they lead the firm through continued strategic growth of its global platform.”

— Amanda K. Brady, Managing Director and Chief Client Officer, The Alexander Group​

About Reed Smith LLP

Reed Smith LLP is a global law firm known for its deep industry knowledge, collaborative culture, and innovative approach to legal service delivery. With offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, the firm advises leading businesses on complex litigation, regulatory matters, and high-stakes transactions. Reed Smith is recognized for forging long-term client relationships and delivering forward-thinking legal solutions that support business growth.

About The Alexander Group

Specializing in executive search for law firms and financial leadership roles, The Alexander Group delivers strategic, results-driven placements tailored to each client’s needs.​Interested in learning more about our executive recruitment services? Contact The Alexander Group today.​

Leading legal network, PilotLegis, appoints Ryan Kovach to strengthen risk management, compliance, and member services.

Headshot of Ryan Kovach as Assistant Executive Director at PilotLegis

Client: PilotLegis | Role: Assistant Executive Director | Candidate: Ryan Kovach

Recruiter: Amanda K. Brady, Managing Director/Chief Client Officer

Overview

PilotLegis, a national network of independent law firms focused on risk management and collaborative growth, partners with The Alexander Group, a global executive search firm, to recruit an Assistant Executive Director. As PilotLegis strengthens its service offerings and member engagement programs, the organization needs a dynamic leader to drive operational enhancements and lead compliance initiatives across its member base.

Key Leadership Need

PilotLegis sought an Assistant Executive Director who could oversee risk management programming, conduct member firm reviews, develop educational initiatives, and collaborate closely with the Board of Directors and standing committees. The ideal candidate would bring a proven track record of success in legal compliance, auditing, policy development, and risk mitigation, along with strong operational leadership skills.

The Alexander Group’s Approach

Amanda K. Brady, Managing Director and Chief Client Officer, led a specialized search targeting candidates with legal operations expertise, risk management leadership, and experience supporting national legal networks or complex law firms.

Search priorities include:

  • Experience in legal compliance, auditing, and policy development
  • Ability to design and implement risk management programming for law firms
  • Collaborative leadership style capable of working closely with boards and committees

Ryan Kovach quickly stood out as the right candidate, bringing a wealth of operational experience from leadership roles at PilotLegis and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, along with a strong background in compliance, auditing, and risk mitigation for professional services organizations.

Successful Placement and Impact

Ryan Kovach joins PilotLegis as Assistant Executive Director. He oversees risk reviews, member services, and the development of industry-leading compliance programming, helping PilotLegis members adopt best practices across operations, risk management, and practice growth.

Immediate Impact:

  • Conducts in-depth risk assessments for members and prospective firms
  • Leads strategic initiatives to strengthen member compliance programs
  • Coordinates education programs and national conferences for member engagement
  • Supports membership growth and operational innovation across the network

About PilotLegis

PilotLegis is a collaborative network of independent law firms committed to excellence in legal services, risk management, and firm leadership. Through education, peer engagement, and operational best practices, PilotLegis supports its member firms in delivering superior client service while minimizing operational risks.

About The Alexander Group

The Alexander Group is an executive search firm in Houston. The firm partners with organizations across industries—including legal services, life sciences, healthcare, financial services, energy, technology, and nonprofit sectors—to deliver leadership placements that drive operational excellence and strategic growth.Looking for proven leadership to help your organization grow and thrive? Contact The Alexander Group to learn how we deliver transformative executive talent.

The American Heart Association, a national nonprofit organization, appoints Sharlene Jenner to drive digital marketing innovation and engagement.

Headshot of Sharlene Jenner as SVP of Digital Marketing at The American Heart Association

Client: The American Heart Association | Role: SVP, Digital Marketing | Candidate: Sharlene Jenner

Recruiters: Amanda K. Brady, Managing Director; Jean Lenzner, Managing Director

Overview

The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. It partnered with The Alexander Group, a global executive search firm, to recruit a Senior Vice President of Digital Marketing. As the organization sought to strengthen its digital-first engagement strategy, it needed a visionary marketing leader to amplify its science-driven mission through digital innovation, emerging technologies, and strategic storytelling.

Key Leadership Need

The American Heart Association sought an SVP of Digital Marketing who could drive integrated digital marketing strategies, leverage emerging technologies like AI for personalized engagement, and align marketing initiatives with the organization’s mission-driven goals. The ideal candidate would bring deep expertise in digital ecosystem leadership, omnichannel marketing, and data-driven decision-making in a nonprofit or large-scale mission-driven environment.

The Alexander Group’s Approach

Managing Directors Amanda K. Brady and Jean Lenzner lead a national search to identify digital marketing executives with proven success in scaling engagement strategies, driving innovation, and aligning digital ecosystems with organizational impact goals.

Search priorities included:

  • Expertise in digital transformation, omnichannel marketing, and marketing technology leadership
  • Proven ability to lead high-performing teams and integrate emerging technologies into marketing strategy
  • Experience aligning digital marketing strategies with organizational missions and revenue growth initiatives

Sharlene Jenner rose to the top with over two decades of leadership experience at organizations such as Vizient, AbelsonTaylor, and Hilton Worldwide, where she specialized in driving digital innovation, marketing transformation, and audience-centered storytelling strategies.

Successful Placement and Impact

Sharlene Jenner joins The American Heart Association as SVP of Digital Marketing. She oversees the strategy and execution of digital marketing initiatives, content strategy, and the integration of emerging technologies to drive relevance, engagement, and revenue growth across both consumer and scientific audiences.

Immediate Impact:

  • Leads digital engagement strategies aligned with the AHA’s brand and mission
  • Introduces AI-driven personalization and data analytics to enhance marketing campaigns
  • Strengthens omnichannel marketing efforts across consumer, professional, and donor audiences
  • Elevates the AHA’s digital brand presence through innovative content and storytelling

About The American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a nonprofit organization devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke, the two leading causes of death worldwide. Through groundbreaking research, education, and advocacy efforts, the Association helps millions live longer, healthier lives.

About The Alexander Group

The Alexander Group is an international executive search firm headquartered in Houston. Serving nonprofits, healthcare organizations, legal services, technology firms, and more, The Alexander Group helps mission-driven organizations secure transformative leadership to drive strategic impact and sustainable growth.

Looking to elevate your organization’s digital strategy? Partner with The Alexander Group to find the visionary leaders who drive engagement and growth.