Executive Search

Joe Becher is the Global Managing Partner and Founder of CAA Executive Search. Based in New York, he has led the growth of the business and developed a world’s leading sports and entertainment search business, having worked with more than 300 clients across five continents. Becher’s client base includes sports leagues, properties, franchises, media companies, OTT businesses, video game publishers, esports leagues and franchises, PE/VC firms, investors, agencies, health and fitness companies, betting operators, fashion businesses and music labels.

Prior to joining CAA, Becher was a partner and a founding member of Odgers Berndtson’s international sports practice, based out of the London office. He was responsible for building the practice globally and worked across searches in every territory, with a special focus on North America, Europe and Asia. 

His emphasis was on C-level searches across all functions for sports teams, leagues, federations, broadcasters and agencies. He led on the formation of the football operations function for a number of clubs, as well as hiring managers/head coaches for several Championship, Premier League and Champions League football clubs.

Becher was also at the forefront of the sports practice's advisory business, working with private equity groups and investors on human capital due diligence projects.

Asher Simons co-founded CAA Executive Search in 2016 and serves as the Head of International.  

Simons’ client base includes sports leagues and franchises, major rights holders, technology companies, esports leagues and franchises, gaming publishers, live entertainment promoters, national governing bodies, sports betting companies, traditional and new media businesses, agencies, global brands, private equity firms, VC funds and high net worth individual investors.

Simons has cross-functional expertise from a placement standpoint and focuses on board-level, C-level and senior executive hiring. He also has a successful track record of working with clients on deeper, more strategic human capital partnerships, including providing advisory services across diversity and inclusion best practices, governance and corporate structuring, compensation and reward schemes, succession planning, and human capital due diligence/pre- and post-acquisition reviews.

Simons has spent his whole career in the world of sports, media and entertainment. He was previously Head of the North American sports practice for a Top 5 major global executive search firm. Simons has developed a vast network of senior leaders globally and is seen by these executives as a trusted confidant and advisor. He was a graduate of Newcastle University in the UK and currently splits his time between New York and London.

Jason Hanold is the President of CAA Executive Search. In 2024, CAA acquired Hanold Associates, which Hanold founded in 2010. He focuses on the recruitment of Chief HR Officers, Corporate Officers, and Board Directors, and his client roster spans business scenarios and includes Fortune 100, start-ups, founder-led, family offices, sports leagues, and PE-backed companies. ​ 

Before launching Hanold Associates, Hanold was the Global HR Officers Practice leader for Russell Reynolds, and a key part of the Board and CEO Practice. Previously, he led Global Talent Acquisition for Whirlpool Corporation. Prior to Whirlpool, he served as the Head of Recruiting with McKinsey & Company, where he created their direct-elect partner hiring, based in the New York headquarters. He subsequently led Global Leadership Recruiting for Deloitte. ​ 

Currently pursuing his doctoral degree at the University of Pennsylvania, Hanold earned a Master of Science from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University.​ 

Hanold serves on the Board of Directors for the National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame and a portfolio company of the PE firm, Shore Capital. He is on the Leadership Council of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, serves the U.S. Olympic Committee as a Team USA Athlete Mentor, and is a member of SAG-AFTRA.​  ​ 

Hanold is married with four sons, based in Chicago, while also spending time in Los Angeles and New York.  

Neela Seenandan is the President of Leadership Advisory at CAA Executive Search. Prior to CAA’s acquisition in 2024, she served as Co-CEO of Hanold Associates. In her advisory role, Seenandan provides interim executive services in senior HR positions for clients, including The New York Times, The Wella Company, and Save the Children, where she also serves on the Board of Directors. She collaborates closely with leadership teams and boards on organizational effectiveness and executive talent.​ 

Seenandan joined CAA from Nielsen, where she was SVP of HR for North America’s Consumer Business. Prior to Nielsen, she had a successful HR career at Aon Corporation, including serving as CHRO of Aon Benfield and Aon Hewitt. She also led integration efforts across the company.​ 
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Previously, Seenandan led recruiting and professional development for McKinsey & Company in North America and McKinsey Digital (formerly BTO), focusing on executive development and coaching senior leaders.​ 

Originally from London, Seenandan holds a degree in English Literature and Religion from Newcastle University. She enjoys reading and is actively involved in charitable work. 

Joe Aiken began his executive search and human capital advisory career at Heidrick & Struggles, where he was a member of the firm’s global CEO & board, financial services, and social impact Practices. He placed C-level executives and board members at bulge bracket banks, mega funds, associations and trade organizations, and Fortune 100 companies. Notably, he played a key role in building out the firm’s D&I services practice internally and externall

Aiken’s functional expertise spans marketing, finance, strategy, general management, and DEI. He is based in Los Angeles and joined CAA Executive Search to contribute to the group’s efforts at the intersection of music, finance, and technology. In that capacity, he plays a key role leading music industry search, advising major and independent labels, publishers, and DSPs while also contributing to searches across the sports and entertainment landscape for teams, leagues, and federations. Aiken also has expertise in diverse talent pipeline mapping/buildout and DEI cultural assessment.

Aiken earned his BA in Philosophy and Political Science with an interdisciplinary concentration in Writing & Rhetoric from Colgate University. While at Colgate, he was a member of the Konosioni Senior Honor Society.

Dany Berghoff is a partner in the Executive Search division at CAA. Berghoff most recently served as Head of the Global Sport and Entertainment Leadership practice at global search firm RSR Partners. His executive search experience includes C-suite and senior management executive searches for governing bodies, leagues, teams, esports properties, betting and gaming companies, media companies and agencies.  Berghoff also helps clients design, structure and build peak performance organizational structures.

Prior to RSR Partners, Berghoff worked as broadcasting agent for athletes and sportscasters, and subsequently worked for a boutique agency where he helped monetize commercial rights for organizations including the International Olympic Committee, United States Olympic Committee and Miami Dolphins. He also provided corporate advisory services in negotiating global sport sponsorship rights for brands including Johnson & Johnson and Ernst & Young.

Eli Cherenfant began his professional career as a law clerk at the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, the highest court in the state. Subsequently, Cherenfant joined a private law firm working across several areas of law. During this time, Cherenfant refined his legal advocacy skills while representing individuals within the underprivileged community relating to employment and civil rights issues.

Shortly thereafter, Cherenfant sought to combine his passion for sports and entertainment with his commitment to social justice, diversity and inclusion. Based in Los Angeles, Cherenfant oversees a global team of associates and utilizes his negotiation skills and representation expertise to recruit top diverse talent across the world. As a result, more than half of CAA Executive Search’s placements have been diverse hires.

Cherenfant is a trusted advisor to Presidents and other C-Level executives across the entertainment, media and sports landscapes, with a successful track record advising organizations and placing C-level commercial leaders globally.

Cherenfant earned his BA at Northeastern University and his JD at Northeastern University School of Law.

Alex Cooke joined CAA Executive Search in 2019 and is based in the London office. Cooke has completed mandates across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East working in partnership with clients across football, motorsports, global broadcasters and wider sports and entertainment. Cooke leads delivery of all European football searches, working with a variety of ownership groups to secure talent in both commercial and technical areas.

Cooke trained as a chartered accountant prior to moving into executive search, where he began with a boutique firm placing finance executives across multiple industries.

Before a career in executive search, Cooke studied Sport and Exercise Science and completed a MSc in Sports Physiology at the University of Brighton.

Pamela Culpepper is a Managing Partner in the Leadership Advisory practice at CAA Executive Search. Culpepper specializes in leadership development and human capital management, and has extensive experience coaching C-level executives and HR professionals to achieve personal and professional success. As a trusted advisor on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Culpepper made history in 2022 by becoming the first Black woman on Prada’s Board of Directors.​  

Prior to CAA, Culpepper served as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Cboe Global Markets, Inc., providing crucial talent advice to the executive team and Board of Directors. She also held leadership roles at Golin, PepsiCo., including serving as Chief Global Diversity and Inclusion Officer, as well as at McKesson Corporation, Clorox, and Wells Fargo.​​ ​  

Culpepper holds a Master of Public Administration in Organizational Change from California State University, East Bay, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She currently serves as an independent director on the boards of Prada S.p.A. and Cambia Health Solutions. Culpepper resides in Scottsdale, Arizona.​  

Jordan Gertzman is an executive at CAA Executive Search, part of a dynamic team of researchers focused on identifying and sourcing top talent across sports, media and entertainment. Gertzman is a trusted advisor to sports teams/franchises, leagues, music publishers, betting operators, esports publishers and developers, international sports federations, startups, media agencies, and rightsholders, among others. His functional expertise spans business development, general management, finance, strategy, marketing and content development/programming. He leads many of the group’s searches in the Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Legal Officer, Chief People Officer and President categories. He attended the University of Michigan where he graduated with a BA in Sport Management from the School of Kinesiology and a BBA from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. Gertzman is based in the New York office.

Davis Goldstein joined the group in 2017 as one of the first hires and is now in an executive role with a particular focus on the digital, media, and technology practice. Notably, Goldstein has led the group’s efforts across the streaming and content space as well as the health/wellness vertical and has deep experience leading global talent focused initiatives. Goldstein has worked with companies at various stages, from start-up to Fortune 500 advising on large scale global organizational strategies and roadmaps. In addition, Goldstein leads global research for CAA Executive Search and helps manage a team of researchers focused on identifying and sourcing top talent across sports, media, and entertainment. Goldstein attended New York University where he graduated with a degree in Sports Management with a concentration in Organizational Management. Goldstein is based out of the New York office.

Graham Hutchison joined CAA Executive Search having previously co-founded the global sport and entertainment search practice at a boutique search firm headquartered in London. Hutchison grew the practice to work on some of the most high-profile assignments across teams, leagues, federations and private equity.  

Prior to forging a career in Executive Search, Hutchison spent five years as a professional footballer, playing for teams across the Premier League and EFL as well as competing at Youth International Level.

Hutchison has extensive experience in executive search and human capital consulting across both corporate and technical areas. He is based in London.

Andrew Mackereth joined CAA Executive Search in 2018. Based in London, he partners with clients across the entertainment industry and leads the global music division.  Mackereth has extensive executive search experience and previously worked in the global sports practice of a Top 5 international search firm.

Mackereth works with music labels, DSPs, media businesses, clubs, leagues and digital businesses to secure top senior talent in all major territories. He works across all C-suite functions with experience of both established and high-growth businesses. Operating globally, he has helped clients expand into new territories, hiring regional leadership teams across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. 

Mackereth studied Politics and International Relations at Cardiff University and recently raised more than £120,000 for charities by running 10 marathons in 10 days across Sierra Leone.

Based in London, managing global mandates, Caz Lacey heads-up CAA Executive Search’s global gaming efforts. She has extensive experience working on senior executive and non-executive director positions for international gaming businesses. Her focus is on developing networks specifically within the esports and video gaming industries. Lacey is an Ambassador for Women in Games (WIGJ) and regularly speaks at and moderates games industry panels.

Lacey formerly led the video gaming practice at Odgers Berndtson’s for five years, working with major games publishers, developers, technology providers as well as esports tournament organizers and teams. Her clients included Sony PlayStation, Electronic Arts, ESL and Bethesda.

Previously, Lacey worked as a consultant for a boutique executive search firm in London specializing in entertainment and leisure. She has in-depth knowledge of the research and selection process for blue chip clients globally.

She graduated from Durham University with a BA in Ancient History and Archaeology.

Mayank Parikh is the Managing Partner of the Technology & Private Equity practices at CAA Executive Search. He has developed a deep specialization in supporting and advising businesses undergoing transformation due to growth and scale, leadership transition, M&A, or new investors. ​ 

Parikh has an extensive track record of recruiting operationally focused business executives who excel in fast-evolving environments where agility and dexterity are key. In addition to his work in executive search, Parikh has advised founders, CEOs, CHROs, and leadership teams on employer branding, compensation, and broader human capital strategy.​  

​Parikh began his career at Hanold Associates as an intern, and returned full-time after graduating from Northwestern University, later progressing into broader leadership roles.  

Parikh is an avid (and improving) golfer who loves to read (when he is out of podcasts), and most of all, appreciates spending quality time with friends and loved ones. He lives with his wife, son, and dog in the suburbs of Chicago. ​  

Sarah Phillips joined CAA Executive Search in 2019 and is based in New York. Phillips is part of a dynamic group of researchers focused on identifying and securing top talent across sports, media, entertainment and technology.

Phillips services a diverse set of clients and candidates spanning sports teams/franchises, leagues, colleges, esports, international sports federations, betting and gaming, connected fitness, digital technology, startups, among others.

Phillips earned her BA from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration within the SC Johnson College of Business. Phillips was a four-year member and two-time captain of the Cornell women’s lacrosse team.

Eliza Reay-Glover joined CAA Search in 2020, based in CAA’s London office. Reay-Glover leads research in CAA Search's global Gaming Practice and has experience across the broad spectrum of the global video gaming industry from small AA/AAA development studios to major games publishers within the sector. Focusing exclusively on senior executive-level hires, primarily C-level and board, Reay-Glover knows the ins and outs of how the complex interactive entertainment environment operates. She has successfully executed on the full scope of hires within the industry, from core technology through to commercial, operational and creative leads. 

Reay-Glover started her executive search career with an internship at Odgers Berndtson. After graduation, she went on to join Russell Reynolds Associates.

Reay-Glover has a Politics and History degree from Newcastle University and a keen personal interest in sport, from running marathons to competitive equestrianism.

Lisa Yae is Managing Partner of the Retail and Luxury Goods Practice at CAA Executive Search, where she specializes in recruiting executive leaders across fashion, luxury brands, and the broader consumer industry. With nine years of experience in executive search, Yae has placed candidates at all levels, including CHROs, CFOs, Regional Vice Presidents of Retail, and a broad range of commercial and operational positions. Her client roster ranges from multinational luxury brands to start-up brands looking to scale their physical footprint or consumer reach. ​ ​ 

Previously, Yae spent six years in luxury retail merchandising roles. As a buyer for MaxMara, she oversaw the North American business for its boutiques, along with its department store concessions across the U.S. and Canada. ​ 

​Yae graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington with a bachelor’s degree in Apparel Merchandising, and remains an active member of its advisory council. While at IU, she studied abroad in London, England, and worked for Diane von Furstenberg’s UK Wholesale team.