Alex Gakenheimer, Senior Associate

Q&A with Alex

1. Tell us about your career path here. How did you find yourself at Acertitude and why did you join the firm?

I always knew that executive search was the right path for me due to its blend of social and analytical skills. I began my career at Spencer Stuart in the Financial Officer Practice, focusing primarily on public company and private equity-backed CFO searches. In 2022, I decided to follow my passion for sports and joined Sportsology, a boutique consulting firm dedicated to the sports industry. There, I conducted searches and human capital consulting engagements for sports teams and leagues, and played a key role in developing Sportsology Capital Partners, an investment arm focused on the influx of institutional money into sports.

I was drawn to Acertitude by its success and strong momentum, being particularly impressed with their focus on private equity partnerships and rigorous search process. I knew I wanted to return to CFO searches within private equity, and believed Acertitude was the ideal platform to also develop a sports and entertainment capability in the long term.

2. What is special about working here?

I appreciate the close-knit of environment of a smaller-sized firm where everyone collaborates and supports each other's searches. We have the scale and advanced systems needed to ensure our searches are efficient and effective, as well as all the tools necessary to excel in our roles. From my experience, our capabilities often surpass those of larger search firms.

3. How has Acertitude helped you grow and perform at your best?

Acertitude excels at providing its employees with ongoing feedback. I consistently receive insights into my strengths and areas for improvement, which helps us enhance client outcomes.

Our office culture is vibrant and youthful, filled with energy and a sense of enjoyment. While we approach our work seriously, we also value a light-hearted atmosphere and don't take ourselves too seriously.

4. In what ways - big or small - do you live out our mission of unleashing human potential?

I believe executive recruiters, including myself, play a critical role in enhancing the efficiency of the talent market, and, in turn, the global economy. With each search, we significantly contribute to our clients' success by identifying and placing the right individuals who can create and maximize value within their organizations.

5. What advice do you have for people looking to join Acertitude? What qualities do people need to be successful here?

This culture thrives on hard work, so expect to dedicate yourself fully, tackle challenges head-on, and avoid shortcuts in every search. Success here hinges on striking a balance between patience and grit, grinding through tough projects, and arriving at successful outcomes.

Alex at a glance...