Ferguson Partners is pleased to announce Elizabeth Gaffney as the firm’s new Managing Director, Global Human Resources Practice Leader and Head of the New York Office. With more than 20 years of HR, recruiting, executive coaching and career management consulting experience, Gaffney will lead Ferguson’s recruitment of Chief Human Resource Officers (CHROs), their direct reports and other critical HR leadership functions, including diversity and inclusion, talent management, talent acquisition and compensation.In addition to her leadership search work, she will partner with Ferguson’s Leadership, Management and Compensation Consulting Practices to offer companies a full range of human capital service offerings. A major focus of her work will be to identify and place CHROs on company boards across the globe and emphasize the importance of skilled human resources executives on inclusive leadership teams within the real estate, hospitality and leisure, infrastructure, engineering and construction and innovation and technology industries. She will also oversee all operations of the firm’s New York office.

“With her diversified experience across the HR, search, executive coaching and consulting industries, Elizabeth brings a broad and modern perspective to firms in need of top HR talent, as well as strategies for attracting, retaining and developing that talent,” said William J. Ferguson, Chairman and CEO, Ferguson Partners.“We look forward to her delivering on the increasing need for companies across all sectors to recruit and hire CHROs for executive board positionsthat drive innovative organizational culture.”

Over the last decade, CHROs have emerged as invaluable members of the C-suite, driving success through leadership development, employee engagement and retention, as well as in the cultivation of dynamic corporate cultures that emphasize the business values of diversity and inclusion, sustainability and responsible growth. Gaffney knows firsthand how crucial CHROs are to providing a diverse people perspective on boards and leadership teams. As a Board Member and Chair of the Development Committee for The HOPE Program, an organization that empowers New Yorkers to build sustainable futures through comprehensive training, jobs, advancement and career support, Gaffney promotes these values from the ground up. Additionally, guiding HR strategies for multinational financial institutions, Gaffney has been a strong voice for the importance of diversity in positions of leadership, understanding that these are important drivers of business success.

“Elizabeth has a demonstrated track record of accomplishment in the HR field, both in the search and consulting industries and as an executive in charge of global HR strategy,” said Gemma Burgess, President, U.S. Search, Ferguson Partners. “Companies are eager to bring in bold human capital perspectives, and Elizabeth has the experience to deliver on client needs for transformative leadership and, working with our Leadership, Management and Compensation Consulting Practices, the strategies that will empower our client companies as well as board rooms to build vibrant, successful companies.”

“As firms increasingly put an emphasis on culture and employee development, HR leadersare more crucial than ever to driving business success,” said Gaffney. “I look forward to helping our clients achieve their singular visions by aligning their boards and executive teams with the right HR leaders and the right human capitalstrategies conducive to innovative and collaborative cultures.”

Prior to Ferguson Partners, Gaffney served as a Managing Director and Global Head of Human Resources for Jefferies LLC, where she led the global human resource strategy and activities for Investment Banking and Capital Markets. Before Jefferies, she was a Director and Regional Head of Human Resources for Credit Suisse in both New York and London. Additionally, Elizabeth spent several years as an Executive Coach and built a boutique search business focusing on Human Resources and Finance. She holds a Master of Science degree in Human Resources Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, both from Fordham University.

About Ferguson Partners

Ferguson Partners conducts hundreds of searches globally each year for C-suite executives and other senior business leaders, as well as Board of Director positions. Ferguson Partners also offers a full range of leadership services including CEO and senior executive succession planning, leadership assessment and coaching and team effectiveness. FPL Associates (FPL), a sister company of Ferguson Partners, provides a range of compensation consulting services to private and public real estate companies, performing more than 200 projects each year. FPL also provides organizational, financial and strategic consulting, bringing a wealth of industry and category-specific expertise to a broad range of projects. The work of Ferguson Partners and FPL is supported by an active survey practice that conducts more than 20 real estate industry focused reports annually. Ferguson Partners and FPL serve clients across the globe in the real estate, hospitality and leisure, senior housing, infrastructure, engineering and construction and healthcare service sectors, bringing a wealth of industry and category-specific expertise to a broad range of projects.