Labor Letter, The Wall Street Journal

The Viscusi Group in the Wall Street Journal

Equality begins at home, or should, say executive searchers and their critics. Executive Search Review reports the rising use of women recruiters, but notes that by recent count, only four of the 155 worldwide offices of the top five firms were female-managed, and just one woman held a seat on an executive committee.

While The Viscusi Group, a New York-based executive search firm, has many female partners, "the search industry tends to be an old boy network," says partner Stephen Viscusi.

Korn/Ferry International is promoting more women, but should do better, says Steve Fogle, a San Francisco-based Korn/Ferry recruiter. "Women are progressing," say recruiters like Putney Westerfield of Boyden International, because diversity-minded clients prefer female recruiters. Eight of 20 consultants at Witt Associates, Oak Brook, Illinois are women. Women now make up 23% of the top people at all North American search firms, up from 16% in 1987, according to Executive Recruiter News.

About Stephen Viscusi

Stephen Viscusi is the founder of The Viscusi Group, a boutique executive search firm with more than three decades of specialization in the interior furnishings industry — including furniture, textiles, lighting, flooring, and home décor.

Every placement made through The Viscusi Group is backed by a one-year free replacement guarantee, reflecting the firm's confidence in the caliber of its candidates and the depth of its industry relationships.

Stephen is widely recognized as a leading voice on career strategy, workplace dynamics, and executive talent in the interiors space. Please share your story or send your workplace questions to stephen@viscusigroup.com or call (212) 979-5700 ext. 101.

Executive Search Services

The Viscusi Group places senior and C-suite executives across all segments of the interiors industry. We offer retained search engagements for president, CEO, COO, CMO, and VP-level roles within furniture, textile, and home furnishings brands, as well as advisory support on organizational design, succession planning, and building high-performing leadership teams.

Private Equity Recruitment in the Interiors Sector

We partner with Private Equity firms that acquire furniture and textiles brands, and their portfolio companies, understanding the unique leadership profile required for value creation in the interiors space.

Our recruiters utilize deep industry knowledge and our network to effectively attract and recruit Catalyst Executives who can accelerate growth, drive operational excellence, and successfully execute the PE investment thesis.

We specialize in identifying leaders who know how to initiate critical shifts and mobilize teams to optimize recently acquired brands and prepare them for a successful exit. Whether your firm needs a turnaround operator, a growth-focused CMO, or a supply chain leader who understands the complexities of the furnishings category, The Viscusi Group has the network and expertise to deliver.