Navigate Forward, a boutique outplacement firm specializing in career transition services for C-suite leaders and senior executives, announced four recent hires that significantly expand the company’s capabilities in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions.
Three of the new hires are based in Portland, Oregon, and Denver, Colorado; the fourth will operate from Navigate Forward’s headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
With more demand in Denver, Portland and across the West, we’ll now have a dedicated team in the region
The move enables Navigate Forward to better serve employers across Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and the surrounding states through a team of career experts with local market knowledge and experience.
“Since our inception in 2008, we’ve delivered our executive career services nationally and even internationally,” said Anne Sample, CEO of Navigate Forward. “But, with more demand in Denver, Portland, and across the West, we’ll now have a dedicated team who know the region, bring hands-on local knowledge, and who can support our clients in person. It strengthens our offering and improves our customer service.”
Sample added, “We’re excited to grow in these markets and bring our proven, high-touch approach to outplacement and career services to more companies and senior leaders.”
Two Executive Career Consultants Now Based in Denver, Portland
Joining Navigate Forward as executive career consultants are two experienced human resources professionals:
- Lisa Marie Carlson, based in Denver, Colorado
- Eileen Schmidt, based in Portland, Oregon
Both will work one-on-one with C-suite leaders and senior executives who are in career transition, planning career change in the future, or seeking board service.
Carlson and Schmidt bring our executive consultant team to 18 individuals, all focused on delivering highly customized outplacement and career transition services
Carlson’s experience spans global tech companies, national foodservice chains, and non-profit organizations. She honed her skills in Silicon Valley, where she handled a variety of talent management activities for Microsoft. She has also held leadership positions in human resources with Coffee & Bagel Brands, International Car Wash Group, Dish Network, and Arrow Electronics. A California native, she has resided in Denver since 2014.
Based in the Portland area, Schmidt comes to Navigate Forward after a tenured career in human resources for Nike and American Express, and non-profit leadership organizations like Girls, Inc.
“Both Lisa Marie and Eileen share a passion for helping others reach their goals,” Sample said. “Lisa Marie’s broad industry experience, sound guidance, and commitment to the growth and development of leaders is widely recognized. Eileen is a natural coach and problem-solver whose education and practical business experience help her reframe issues and support those navigating career moves.”
Carlson and Schmidt bring Navigate Forward’s executive consultant team to 18 individuals, all focused on delivering highly customized outplacement and career transition services to C-suite executives and senior leaders.
Tenured Career Transition Experts Join Leadership Team
Liesl Forve rounds out the Pacific Northwest team, also working from Portland, Oregon. Forve joined Navigate Forward in February 2021 as SVP Strategic Relationships to lead sales strategy and business development efforts, manage key accounts and help onboard new clients.
Our dual delivery model of in-person or virtual services puts us in a strong position to help companies and senior leaders locally, nationally and around the world
Forve’s experience includes more than two decades in executive search and outplacement, having held sales leadership positions with Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Versique, Williams Executive Search and Boyden.
Navigate Forward welcomed Suzanne Wall in summer 2021 as Chief Operating Officer, working from company headquarters in Minneapolis. Wall excels at streamlining operational processes, finding new efficiencies and cultivating strong internal teams, all to support smart organizational growth. Most recently, she served as COO for iRelaunch, a pioneering firm focused on professional career re-entry after an extended break. She also enjoyed a previous successful tenure in international trade finance and corporate banking.
“With Liesl and Suzanne’s talents, we have a well-rounded and experienced leadership team in place,” Sample said. “Our dual delivery model of in-person or virtual services, combined with our expertise working with C-suite executives, puts us in a strong position to help companies and senior leaders locally, nationally and around the world. We’re looking forward to our next chapter.”
