HVS Executive Search has appointed Kate Shehan as its new Executive Vice President, bringing her back to the company after a four-year hiatus. Based in Annapolis, Maryland, she will manage retained search projects and client partnerships.
Shehan previously served as Vice President at HVS Executive Search from 2018 to 2020. Before that, she founded TalentPursuit Executive Search, a specialized firm that placed executives at the C-suite, vice president, and director levels. Her clients included hospitality businesses, food producers, technology companies, and corporate entities. She also provided guidance on executive talent strategy and long-term business planning.
With more than 25 years of experience in executive recruitment, restaurant management, and human resources, Shehan held leadership positions at Legal Sea Foods, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Crown Golf Properties, and Chart House Restaurants. Her operational knowledge in food and beverage, combined with her recruitment skills, enables her to align client requirements with leadership talent effectively.
HVS Executive Search has expanded by integrating industry expertise with data-driven hiring methods. Shehan’s return supports the firm’s emphasis on sector-specific experience, particularly in hospitality, where her hands-on leadership perspective can enhance candidate evaluations. Unlike many firms that depend only on external assessments, her dual background allows for a balanced review of leadership potential through performance data and cultural alignment.
In her expanded role, Shehan will oversee high-level retained searches while guiding junior consultants. She will also work with CEO Alice Sherman to advance the firm’s growth initiatives.
This hiring decision shows HVS Executive Search’s approach of bringing in professionals with both technical skills and practical experience. Shehan’s move from an independent practice to a larger organization suggests an effort to scale her methods within an established structure.
Her priorities will include mentoring junior staff, a key focus for firms seeking to maintain growth through internal development. The appointment also reinforces the firm’s commitment to strong client relationships, especially in industries where operational insight directly influences hiring outcomes.
Shehan’s operational expertise and recruitment background position her to refine how candidates are assessed, particularly in sectors where hands-on leadership experience carries significant weight. The firm’s strategy of blending industry knowledge with analytical recruitment remains central to its expansion plans.
