Executive Search & Leadership Advisory · Est. 2006
Leaders who
define what's next
Hunter Ambrose partners with healthcare systems, public utilities, and private offices across North America to identify and place the executives who shape organizational futures.
Executive Search & Leadership Advisory · Est. 2006
Sectors we serve with precision.
Healthcare & Critical Access Hospitals
Executive and operational leaders for hospitals, health systems, CAH, FQHC, Magnet facilities, and ASC environments. Ranked by Modern Healthcare among the #21 largest healthcare executive search firms.
Water Districts & Public Utilities
General managers, finance executives, and operational leadership for water districts, utility authorities, and public infrastructure organizations. We understand the regulatory environment, the board dynamics, and the candidate market.
Family Office & Private Principal
Chiefs of Staff, Personal Assistants, Estate Managers, and operators for UHNW individuals, family offices, and private principals. Discreet searches that coordinate across residences, advisors, and operations.
Business Leadership
Risk, compliance, legal, and operations leaders who strengthen execution and protect enterprise value. Includes specialized staff and interim assignments to bridge gaps or add targeted expertise during transitions.
Corner Office Recruitments
Executive-search-caliber strategy and pipeline development for high-stakes leadership roles. A flexible, high-touch model that delivers retained-search quality while you retain control over process and hiring decisions.
Executive Coaching
Strategic development for leaders navigating transitions, scaling organizations, or preparing for the next chapter. Structured engagements — Session One, In Session, Summer Session, Full Court — designed around measurable outcomes.
Executive Search & Leadership Advisory · Est. 2006
Leaders who
define what's next
Nicole Barbano is the Founder & CEO of Hunter Ambrose, a boutique executive search and leadership advisory firm partnering with boards, CEOs, and leadership teams across healthcare, infrastructure, and investor-backed organizations.
With nearly 20 years of experience, she advises organizations on critical leadership decisions—helping recruit, develop, and support executives in complex, high-impact environments.
Nicole leads the firm alongside her husband, Justin, overseeing executive search, leadership coaching, and advisory work for organizations navigating growth and transition. She also hosts the Hunter Ambrose Podcast, where she speaks with leaders about hiring, leadership, and the realities of building organizations.
98%
Placement Retention Rate
110+
Days to Close, C-Suite Searches
91%
Candidate Interview Rate
71%
Clients Return Within 2 Years
Executive Search & Leadership Advisory · Est. 2006
Where Leadership Hiring Actually Happens.
80% of executive hires never touch a job board. The leaders your competitors can’t find are performing, not looking. Our flat-fee retained structure means no surprise costs tied to compensation — just results delivered on time and on budget, backed by a one-year placement guarantee.
01 — Discovery
Role Design & Strategic Alignment
We begin where most firms don’t — understanding your organization’s leadership philosophy, culture, and the precise performance expectations that define success in this role before a single candidate is identified.
02 — Activation
Network Outreach & Market Intelligence
Proprietary outreach into passive networks built over two decades. We identify leaders who are performing, not just available — then position your opportunity to compete for their attention.
03 — Delivery
Curated Presentation & Close
A disciplined pipeline, not a volume game. Every candidate presented has been thoroughly vetted against your criteria. We close on time, on budget, and with a one-year placement guarantee behind every engagement.
Executive Search & Leadership Advisory · Est. 2006
Why Choose Hunter Ambrose
A more deliberate approach to leadership decisions.
At Hunter Ambrose, we approach executive search as a strategic advisory—not a transactional service. We recognize that leadership decisions shape the trajectory of an organization, and we bring a level of rigor, discretion, and judgment that reflects the importance of that responsibility. Every engagement is partner-led, ensuring continuity, accountability, and a deep understanding of both the role and the broader context in which it operates.
We work selectively, allowing us to go beyond surface-level qualifications and focus on identifying leaders who align with your organization’s long-term vision. Through a relationship-driven approach and direct market engagement, we access exceptional talent and deliver outcomes designed for lasting impact.
What sets us apart:
- Partner-led engagements with senior-level involvement throughout
- A highly selective approach focused on depth, not volume
- Access to exceptional, often off-market leadership talent
- Rigorous evaluation of leadership, culture, and long-term fit
- Strategic advisory perspective—not just execution
- Absolute discretion and professionalism in every engagement
- A focus on long-term impact, not short-term placement
Recent Placements
Leaders we placed this year
Chief Financial Officer
Special Water District
Chief Nursing Officer
Critical Access Hospital
Chief of Staff
Ultra-High-Net-Worth Family Office
Chief Operating Officer
Regional Law Firm
General Manager
Special Water District
Vice President of Marketing
National Healthcare Organization
Director, Revenue Cycle
Regional Health System
Fractional Chief Financial Officer
Growth-Stage Organization
Administrator
Mass Torts Practice
Clinical Manager
Hospice Services
Start the Conversation
Your next leader is already out there.
If your organization is preparing for a leadership transition or strategic hire, we welcome a confidential conversation. No obligation — just clarity on how we can help you find the leader your organization needs.
Executive Search & Leadership Advisory · Est. 2006
Trusted by Leaders
Executive Search & Leadership Advisory · Est. 2006
Your Questions, Answered
What does Hunter Ambrose do?
Hunter Ambrose is a retained executive search and leadership advisory firm that partners with organizations to identify, evaluate, and hire senior leaders. The firm focuses on placing C-suite and executive talent across healthcare, infrastructure, and investor-backed environments.
What types of roles do you recruit for?
Hunter Ambrose supports searches for C-suite executives, senior leadership roles, board-level positions, and highly specialized or confidential hires. The firm also engages in select interim leadership placements.
How is Hunter Ambrose different from other recruiting firms?
Hunter Ambrose takes a partner-led, advisory-first approach to executive search. The firm goes beyond resumes to assess leadership capability, cultural alignment, and long-term impact—delivering a more thoughtful and strategic hiring process.
Do you work with candidates directly?
Hunter Ambrose works primarily on behalf of client organizations. However, senior professionals may be approached for opportunities that align with their background and leadership experience.
Do you offer services beyond recruitment?
Yes, the firm also provides leadership advisory, executive coaching, and guidance on team performance and organizational structure.
How do you ensure candidate quality?
Candidates are evaluated through a rigorous process that includes leadership assessment, cultural fit analysis, track record validation, and confidential referencing.
What is retained executive search?
Retained executive search is a high-touch, specialized recruitment model where a firm is engaged exclusively to lead a senior-level search. It emphasizes proactive outreach, deep evaluation, and access to high-caliber leaders who are not actively seeking new roles.
What industries do you specialize in?
The firm works across healthcare, infrastructure, investor-backed companies, and family offices, bringing a deep understanding of leadership dynamics within complex and high-stakes environments.
How long does an executive search take?
Most executive searches are completed within 8 to 16 weeks, depending on the complexity of the role and market conditions. Each search is carefully managed to ensure both speed and quality.
What is your search process?
Each engagement is tailored, but typically includes defining the role and leadership profile, conducting market research, engaging targeted candidates, performing in-depth evaluations, presenting a curated shortlist, and supporting offer negotiations and onboarding.
What kind of organizations do you work with?
Hunter Ambrose partners with boards, CEOs, and leadership teams across healthcare systems, infrastructure organizations, investor-backed companies, and family offices.
How do we get started?
Organizations can reach out through the website to begin a conversation. The team will assess your needs and design a tailored approach to support your leadership hiring goals.
Executive Search & Leadership Advisory · Est. 2006
Your Questions, Answered
What does Hunter Ambrose do?
Hunter Ambrose is a retained executive search and leadership advisory firm that partners with organizations to identify, evaluate, and hire senior leaders. The firm focuses on placing C-suite and executive talent across healthcare, infrastructure, and investor-backed environments.
What is retained executive search?
Retained executive search is a high-touch, specialized recruitment model where a firm is engaged exclusively to lead a senior-level search. It emphasizes proactive outreach, deep evaluation, and access to high-caliber leaders who are not actively seeking new roles.
What types of roles do you recruit for?
Hunter Ambrose supports searches for C-suite executives, senior leadership roles, board-level positions, and highly specialized or confidential hires. The firm also engages in select interim leadership placements.
What industries do you specialize in?
The firm works across healthcare, infrastructure, investor-backed companies, and family offices, bringing a deep understanding of leadership dynamics within complex and high-stakes environments.
How is Hunter Ambrose different from other recruiting firms?
Hunter Ambrose takes a partner-led, advisory-first approach to executive search. The firm goes beyond resumes to assess leadership capability, cultural alignment, and long-term impact—delivering a more thoughtful and strategic hiring process.
How long does an executive search take?
Most executive searches are completed within 8 to 16 weeks, depending on the complexity of the role and market conditions. Each search is carefully managed to ensure both speed and quality.
What is your search process?
Each engagement is tailored, but typically includes defining the role and leadership profile, conducting market research, engaging targeted candidates, performing in-depth evaluations, presenting a curated shortlist, and supporting offer negotiations and onboarding.
What kind of organizations do you work with?
Hunter Ambrose partners with boards, CEOs, and leadership teams across healthcare systems, infrastructure organizations, investor-backed companies, and family offices.
Do you work with candidates directly?
Hunter Ambrose works primarily on behalf of client organizations. However, senior professionals may be approached for opportunities that align with their background and leadership experience.
Do you offer services beyond recruitment?
Yes, the firm also provides leadership advisory, executive coaching, and guidance on team performance and organizational structure.
How do you ensure candidate quality?
Candidates are evaluated through a rigorous process that includes leadership assessment, cultural fit analysis, track record validation, and confidential referencing.
How do we get started?
Organizations can reach out through the website to begin a conversation. The team will assess your needs and design a tailored approach to support your leadership hiring goals.