The Managing Partners of KBRS and Meridia Recruitment Solutions (Meridia) are pleased to announce four new equity partners from within the firm – the first equity partners to become owners from outside of the Managing Partner team. 

Together, they will support the continued growth and momentum of the leading executive search, recruitment solutions and HR consulting firm, led by Managing Partners, Kevin Stoddart, Andrea-Forbes Hurley, Jeff Forbes, Katherine Risley and Natalie Hand.  

“This announcement is an exciting step forward for our organization. We are thrilled to offer leaders within our firm the opportunity to become owners as we continue to grow. We plan to further expand our ownership group in the years ahead with a particular focus on internal ownership succession, as we have for nearly 50 years,” said Kevin Stoddart, Managing Partner. “We are confident our growing ownership team share our commitment to serving the best interests of our clients and all of our colleagues.” 

With this announcement, the firm celebrates the addition of a total of six new co-owners in 2022.  

In January, KBRS welcomed two new Managing Partners and co-owners to the existing Managing Partner Team: 

• Katherine Risley who has nearly 20 years of experience in talent acquisition and is specialized in recruiting top talent for roles in Engineering, Operations, Construction and Supply Chain is also certified coach.  

• Natalie Hand who began her career with the firm in Halifax just shy of 20 years ago and has played an instrumental role in establishing the organization’s office in St. John’s and in introducing Meridia within the province.  

Additionally, KBRS has welcomed the following four equity partners: 

• Katherine Frank, Partner with the Academic Executive Search practice of KBRS since 2017. Before joining the firm, she was an established HR leader at two Canadian Universities. Her experience informs her approach to academic searches and has contributed to the growth of the firm’s national academic practice. 

• Heather Labucki, Partner with Meridia Recruitment Solutions, specialized in the recruitment of accounting and finance professionals since 2003. Having begun her career in Toronto she joined Meridia over six years ago and has supported hundreds of searches within Atlantic Canada. 

• Jamie Grant, Partner with Meridia Recruitment Solutions, who began his career in IT recruitment 20 years ago and contributed to the growth of Meridia for nearly 10 years. Over the course of his career he has helped a wide variety of leading employers find the talented professionals they need to succeed. 

• Alison Chandler, Director Client and Employee Experience, a seasoned marketing and communications professional who joined KBRS in 2013 and contributed to the growth of the organization through a wide array of marketing, human resource and operational initiatives.  

To provide clients with the necessary expertise, reach and exceptional candidate and client care, the team at KBRS and Meridia has grown to include more than 70 professionals focused on executive search, academic search, recruitment, HR consulting, leadership development and career transition.

Together we support organizations across Canada in the United States from our offices in Halifax, St. John’s, Toronto and Moncton.

We hope you will join us in congratulating Heather, Katherine, Jamie and Alison on this new milestone in their careers.

With gratitude for your continued support,
Kevin, Andrea, Katherine & Natalie