
Trusted by the nation's top private equity firms & Fortune 1000 companies.
The Chief of Staff plays a pivotal role in translating strategy into execution – serving as a force multiplier for senior leadership. Whether supporting a CEO, CFO, or Operating Partner, the Chief of Staff ensures priorities are executed efficiently across functions, teams, and initiatives. They bring structure, foresight, and follow-through to fast-moving environments, helping leaders stay focused on value creation and long-term objectives.
In private equity–backed and high-growth companies, the role has evolved into a critical link between strategy and operations. Chiefs of Staff manage cross-functional initiatives, oversee communications and planning, and often drive key transformation or integration efforts. They combine analytical thinking with emotional intelligence, ensuring leadership teams are aligned, informed, and performing at their best.
ECA Partners recruits Chiefs of Staff who deliver measurable impact. Our candidates bring consulting-grade problem solving, operational discipline, and the adaptability required to succeed in dynamic, investor-backed settings. Whether building the office of the CEO or supporting enterprise transformation, ECA identifies leaders who create clarity, accountability, and momentum.
We deliver top executive talent and flexible consulting solutions across high-growth industries.

We match PE investors with leaders who unlock value.

ECA places leaders who drive growth, compliance, and better care.

ECA places leaders who unlock efficiency & growth in service models.

We find the savviest operators to optimize manufacturing businesses.

We identify executives who grow consumer brands and market presence.

From SaaS to AI, we recruit leaders driving innovation and scale.

ECA secures agile financial leaders to navigate shifting markets.
Meet your Practice Leads

Senior Director
Olivia Hanninen is a Senior Director at ECA Partners and leads the firm’s Human Capital Practice, with deep expertise at the intersection of Strategy, Organizational Design, and Chief of Staff leadership. She partners with private equity firms and portfolio companies to recruit Chiefs of Staff and strategy operators who drive executive alignment, enable cross-functional execution, and scale leadership capacity. Olivia’s cross-functional experience spans GTM, Strategy, and People, giving her a holistic perspective on leadership effectiveness. She holds a PhD in History from UC Irvine, an MA from UCL, and a first-class BA from King’s College London.

Engagement Manager
Kay is an Engagement Manager at ECA Partners with deep experience placing Chiefs of Staff and strategic operators for healthcare and private-equity–backed companies. She partners with CEOs, founders, and functional leaders to identify right-hand talent who enable scale, alignment, and execution across strategy and operations. Her cross-sector expertise in healthcare, technology, and industrials provides a broad perspective on organizational design and leadership effectiveness. Kay holds a PhD in Religious and Gender Studies from Indiana University as a Fulbright and Mellon Fellow.

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