By: Eva Keller
For Jenn DeGloma, the road to Executive Search has been anything but ordinary. Her dynamic journey intertwines entrepreneurship, corporate leadership across multiple continents, and a passion for innovation. This unique blend of experience gives her a one-of-a-kind perspective, making her an invaluable partner for any entrepreneur in search of top-tier talent to support growth.
From Main Street Startups to Global Corporations
Jenn took the entrepreneurial plunge at 23, launching her own company from the ground up. This initial experience gave her an innate understanding of the grit, vision, and mindset needed to build something truly special.
Over the next 10 years, Jenn sharpened her skills at the highest corporate levels, spearheading product development initiatives for prominent Fortune 500 companies, and others across North America, Europe, the UK, and Asia Pacific, before joining a startup where she led supply chain and merchandising efforts. Eventually, Jenn returned to her roots in the corporate world, serving as the Vice President of Merchandising overseeing five flooring divisions for one of the largest privately held cooperatives in the United States. Jenn employed a data-driven and member-focused approach to align with market demand while ensuring sustained growth.
Today, as Managing Director at Harvard Group International (HGI), an Executive and professional Search Firm, Jenn brings her network and expertise working with various industries and VC/PE-fueled organizations to the forefront. This powerful blend of startup hustle and far-reaching corporate experience allows her to connect with clients on a deeper level.
Having been a determined entrepreneur trying to get a business off the ground, I know what it feels like to be in a client’s shoes, seeking to assemble the right team to scale,” she says. “And from my years in the corporate world, I witnessed firsthand the impact exceptional talent can have in fostering innovation and growth.”
A Passion for Diversity Forged Across Cultures
For Jenn, the opportunity to work across five continents didn’t just shape her business acumen; it sparked a passion for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Immersed in countless cultures, she developed an appreciation for the power of international perspectives and backgrounds.
This conviction cultivates her work at HGI, where she partners alongside Kelly Engleka, a seasoned Executive Search leader currently serving as the company’s Vice President, Search Operations. “We don’t just check boxes, we make it a priority to deeply understand each client’s distinct culture and hiring needs,” Jenn explains. “Then we tap into our networks to find professionals with the right skills, mindsets, and backgrounds to drive meaningful impact within that specific organization.”
The Entrepreneurial Superpower: Surrounding Yourself with A-Players
For the entrepreneurial-minded, one saying rings truer than any other: You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with. This philosophy has guided Jenn’s path from fresh-faced founder to globally respected executive search partner. Now, as a mother striking that ever-challenging work-life balance, she applies this principle with a renewed sense of importance.
“As a former entrepreneur, I understand how critical it is to have a strong support system, professionally and personally,” she shares. “At HGI, we’re not just filling roles, we’re carefully curating high-performing teams with diverse skill sets and perspectives to elevate our clients’.”
It’s this commitment to custom-fit service, combined with entrepreneurial empathy and a truly global outlook, that makes Jenn the quintessential partner when looking to hire top talent. With her guidance, companies aren’t just onboarding employees, they’re making a strategic investment in the human capital needed to turn their boldest ambitions into reality.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
