KBRS adds Ryna Young as regional head of executive search

KBRS, a Halifax-headquartered executive search and HR consulting firm, has hired Ryna Young as regional head of executive search and co-leader of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She is based in the firm’s Toronto office.

Young brings more than 20 years of experience in executive search, supporting leaders across functions spanning the c-suite, boards, operations, human resources, IT, sales, finance, and accounting in the public and private sectors.

She joins KBRS from Odgers Berndtson, where she was a partner in the executive search practice and head of the DEI practice. Before that Young was a managing director in the executive search practice of Optimum Talent (part of Gallagher).

Earlier in her career, Young was a partner in the executive interim management practice of LHH Knightsbridge and a talent acquisition specialist at PwC Canada.

She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Windsor and is a member of the diversity leadership council at the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC).

"We have witnessed significant growth in demand for trusted talent advisors, nationally. We've placed hundreds of leaders in education, public, private, and non-profit sectors across Canada in the last five years alone," said Andrea Forbes Hurley, managing partner of executive search at KBRS. "Ryna will play an integral role in expanding our holistic approach to talent strategy and executive search for organizations both in the Ontario region and across the country."

In addition to leading the Ontario executive search practice, Young will together with Amorell Saunders N’Daw co-lead the DEI practice, which supports clients with diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies.

“Organizations require integrated leadership solutions to achieve their goals and create lasting positive change," Young said. "I know KBRS shares this view, and I am excited to bring our services to new clients across Ontario and nationally.”

KBRS was founded in 1975 and has more than 70 professionals across offices in Halifax, Moncton, St. John’s, and Toronto. The firm provides services in search, professional recruitment, assessment, talent and succession development, coaching, DEI strategy and advisory, career transition, and more.