We recruit for the world’s most innovative companies, the
most disruptive startups, and the most impactful nonprofit organizations.
paypal
twilio
tapestry
freddiemac
sweedish
NSBE
AMA
peloton
Ben & Jerry's
NYT
Mercury Fund
seattle mariners
Yum! Brands
The St. James
Planned Parenthood Association of America
Hasbro
Zendesk
Recruiting transformational, purpose-driven talent takes more than hoping for success.
The big search firms have had half a century to get it right. Instead, many recycle the same candidate lists and rely on under-resourced teams to fill critical roles. It’s a legacy model that serves their process — not your mission.
We know. We worked inside those firms. We saw how commercial churn replaced the hard, nuanced work of uncovering leaders who could truly transform an organization.
Protégé Search was built to be different — a firm designed for depth, not shortcuts. We run a rigorous, assessment-driven process that goes beyond résumés and well-worn networks to discover leaders who align with your purpose and deliver lasting impact.
We decided to create something different at Protégé — an entire firm built to find and secure transformational leaders who align with your mission and elevate performance.
When we say “built differently,” here’s what we mean…
We are recognized thought leaders in executive search and leadership talent strategy.
We’ve testified before Congress on best practices in recruiting, been featured in Forbes, Fortune, and The New York Times, and led talent management projects in North America, Europe, Australia, and Africa.
We are a trusted resource for career and leadership strategy.
Rory Verrett, founder and managing partner, has hosted podcasts, delivered presentations at the White
House, and coached dozens of senior executives on advancing their careers and impact.
We take a limited number of searches each year.
Exceptional search requires the time and capacity to look far and wide, assess deeply, and uncover leaders others overlook. Our work is the opposite of the high-volume, commercial churn of a large search firm.
We help you attract the leaders you want most.
Protégé crafts a compelling narrative about your organization’s mission, culture, and leadership opportunities — making the case for why high-performing executives should choose you.
We’ve done this for dozens of companies and organizations across sectors, creating a proven roadmap for identifying and securing leaders who transform missions into measurable results.
Our Origin Story
We founded Protégé because we were frustrated by the excuses around why transformational leaders aren’t being found. We’ve been the HR leaders, the talent acquisition executives, and the aspiring managers who’ve heard every line about the “lack of available talent.” We’ve seen — and experienced — the clumsy, cookie-cutter approach of recruiters at big search firms.
We are not a part-time, under-resourced practice within a large search firm, nor a fly-by-night boutique. We are a purpose-built firm that has collectively spent decades recruiting, mentoring, and advising senior leadership talent.
We are the artisans of executive search — not the big chain store. We bring a handcrafted, assessment-driven approach to uncovering leaders who can align with your mission and elevate your performance.
We find needles in haystacks for our clients for one simple reason: we’re in the needle business.
Meet the Team
Protégé Search’s eight recruiters have backgrounds in executive leadership, executive search, human resources, clinical research, project management, and nonprofit leadership. We operate out of Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Atlanta, Chicago, and Lisbon, Portugal, serving a national and international client base.
Rory Verrett
Founder
Rory E. Verrett is one of the most respected voices in values-driven executive search and leadership strategy. As the Founder and Managing Partner of Protégé Search, he has spent over 20 years recruiting transformational leaders for corporations, nonprofits, foundations, academic institutions, and cultural icons—organizations where mission alignment isn’t optional, it’s essential.
The son of a union president and an HBCU professor and scientist, Rory was raised with a deep respect for advocacy, education, and integrity. That legacy led him to earn recognition as a Truman Scholar, graduate from Harvard Law School, and devote his career to connecting purpose-led institutions with leaders who not only perform—but belong.
He is the author of The Pomegranate Principle: Best Practices in Diversity Recruiting (Wiley) and a nationally recognized expert on building leadership teams that reflect the values and vision of the communities they serve. Rory has advised the Biden administration, testified before Congress on best practices in inclusive and values-based recruiting, and continues to consult with policymakers and public institutions on leadership strategy.
Before founding Protégé Search, Rory served as a senior executive at The Raben Group, the nation’s leading values-based public affairs firm, where he advised Fortune 500 companies and national nonprofits on equity, reputation, and talent.
His executive search work has impacted a broad range of sectors—from placing C-suite leaders at Ben & Jerry’s, Patagonia, and Twilio, to advising legacy institutions like the American Medical Association, Legal Services Corporation, and New America, to guiding leadership transitions at organizations such as the Seattle Mariners, Tapestry, Paisley Park, and The Westminster Kennel Club.
Rory is a former trustee of Howard University and past President of the Harvard Law School Black Alumni Association. His thought leadership on leadership equity, organizational trust, and executive presence has made him a sought-after advisor to boards, university presidents, and mission-based founders worldwide.
Rory brings a global perspective to values-based executive search—working with clients across the U.S., Europe, and Africa who are ready to build leadership teams as principled as their purpose.
Tamara Verrett
Partner
Tamara Verrett is partner and COO of Protégé Search. She has helped scale the firm from one consultant to ten, and from one local client to over 40 clients around the world. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Tamara received her MBA from the University of Georgia. Her professional background includes stints working in real estate investment trusts, property management, and as a real estate investor. When she’s not acting as COO, CFO, CIO, and CXO, Tamara enjoys running marathons and half marathons with friends.
Jin. N. Liu
Partner
Jin N. Liu has over 15 years of experience as a dynamic human resources leader in the media, entertainment, and biotech sectors. She has led an HR department for a multi-site global enterprise and has served as a trusted human capital advisor to startup CEOs. Jin is especially adept at managing full cycle talent acquisition and assessing the impact of culture on employee engagement and productivity. She received her B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and her M.A. from Southern Methodist University. When she’s not providing exceptional client advice, Jin enjoys spending time with her family and running marathons.
Justin Payton
Vice President of Client Services & Chief of Staff
Justin Payton is a strategic-minded executive who combines visionary leadership with a results-driven approach. Over his 15-year career, he has developed deep expertise in business development, marketing, and executive search, thriving in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.
A natural problem solver, Justin is widely respected for creating and executing transformative strategies that fuel sustainable growth. He leads with clarity of purpose and operational rigor, consistently translating bold ambitions into measurable performance outcomes. He is equally adept at building go-to-market strategies, cultivating strategic partnerships, and architecting innovative solutions tailored to complex challenges.
Before joining Protégé Search, Justin held leadership roles at AT&T, where his influence extended across major initiatives and organizational transformations. There, he earned recognition for executing at the highest levels, aligning teams around shared goals, and elevating performance across the enterprise.
At Protégé Search, Justin brings his blend of big-picture vision and hands-on execution to help clients achieve their most critical objectives. He leads with empathy, inspires excellence, and ensures that strategic initiatives are anchored in operational discipline and a relentless focus on client success.
When he’s off the clock, Justin prioritizes time with his family, mentors rising leaders, speaks on development, and enjoys the freedom of riding his motorcycle.
Anthony Marrero
Director
Anthony is an accomplished business professional and talent sourcer with expertise in solving complex problems while developing long-term relationships. He has worked with state and local government organizations, large companies, as well as boutique consulting firms. Throughout his career, he has managed the performance of diverse teams focused on the execution and delivery of technology solutions. Anthony has a B.A. from the University of New Orleans and a M.A. in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. Anthony also serves as a board member for The ArtXChange of East Point, GA, on the financial board of Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, and as a committee member for the Boy Scouts of America Troop 1906. When he is not serving clients and his community, Anthony is a bourbon enthusiast and enjoys listening to old school hip hop and R&B music.
D’Karla Davis
Director
D’Karla Davis has 15+ years of public sector experience advising leaders in local and state government, nonprofits, and education. Her management consulting career spans across policy and governance, project management, program development, community engagement, and fiscal administration. D’Karla received a B.S. in Applied Behavioral Science from the University of California Davis and Master in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. She is currently completing her doctorate dissertation at the University of California, Davis. When she’s not providing exceptional client support, D’Karla loves bringing family and friends together through her culinary magic.
Hae Yoon
Director
A proud University of Texas at Austin alum, Hae Yoon worked for a multinational information technology company and spent almost 20 years as the cofounder of a global fashion brand before joining Protégé Search in its Consumer, Tech and Media practice. When she’s not providing exceptional client support, Hae loves exploring the beautiful Southern California trails and running up mountains.
Sheena Simmons
Director
A Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) and graduate of Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University and Michigan State University, Sheena has over 10 years experience in Health and Science Education, Research, and Evaluation. She holds degrees in Health Education, Physiology, and Microbiology, with special interest in health equity and social determinants of health. In her role as Research Fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, she studied and consulted the disease prevention efforts of academic and community health organizations, state and local health departments, and clinical training centers, nationally. Prior to that, she conducted health research and evaluation through Emory University, and taught secondary science and math through Teach for America, before joining the agency’s interview and hiring team. When she’s not providing exceptional client support, Sheena enjoys traveling and engaging in community service projects with her family.