De Forest Search
Powered By TalentoHCFor over 30 years, De Forest Search has partnered with the world’s most recognized global brands to deliver transformational leadership. Now, as part of TalentoHC’s global network, we bring an expanded reach and deeper strategic insight to help companies secure executives who drive innovation, growth, and long-term success.
Building Brands. Placing Leaders.
From Fortune 500 companies to venture-backed startups, De Forest Search has shaped leadership teams across industries, including consumer products, lifestyle brands, entertainment, technology, and more. Founded by Jill De Forest, the firm built its reputation by providing customized, high-touch recruitment solutions that deliver exceptional talent quickly and effectively.
Our legacy includes placing executives in marketing, creative, sales, operations, product design and development, HR, finance, digital, eCommerce, and technology roles for organizations scaling for the future.
The Vision Behind De Forest Search
I started De Forest Search over 30 years ago with a simple mission —to connect employers with the best possible candidates without the burden of expensive retainers and long hiring cycles. On this premise, we’ve successfully placed thousands of leaders across every conceivable industry. While the hiring landscape is ever-changing, we remain a constant in our clients’ search strategy. We’re excited to become part of yours.
Where Legacy Meets Leadership
Backed by decades of industry expertise and powered by TalentoHC’s global network, De Forest Search delivers the executive leadership teams that shape the future of global brands.
5,000+ PLACEMENTS | 30+ YEARS | GLOBAL REACH | UNMATCHED INSIGHT
A Sampling of Hires by De Forest Search
C-Suite & Executive Leadership
Chief Financial Officer, Global Toy Manufacturer
Chief Executive Officer, Global Skincare Manufacturer
Chief Marketing Officer, Global Toy Manufacturer
Chief Human Resources Officer, Entertainment/Retail
President, Global Toy Company
President, Global Gaming Company
North American President, Global Gaming Company
Chief Financial Officer, Confections Manufacturer/Distributor
Chief Marketing Officer, Beauty Brand
Chief Operations Officer, Wellness Brand
President, QSR Product Promotions Agency
President, Streaming Entertainment Platform
President, Global Gaming Company
President, Private Label CPG Manufacturer
Executive & Senior Vice Presidents
EVP, Global Sales & Brand Licensing – Global Toy Company
EVP, Entertainment – Global Toy Company
EVP, Global Consumer Products – Entertainment
EVP, Global Sales & Brand Licensing – Entertainment Studio
EVP, Global Marketing – Entertainment Company
EVP, Consumer Products – Global Studio, Media & Entertainment
EVP, Licensing & Partnerships – Entertainment Studio
EVP, Supply Chain – CPG Company
EVP, Global Brand Licensing – Fashion Brand
SVP, Operations – Global Toy Manufacturer
SVP, Global Franchise Marketing
SVP, Sales & Marketing – Toy Company
SVP, Media & Entertainment Partnerships
SVP, Entertainment – Fortune 500 Toy Company
SVP, International Consumer Products – Entertainment
SVP, Consumer Products – Global Media Company
SVP, Digital Media – Entertainment Studio
SVP, Global Brand Licensing – Softlines, Media & Entertainment Company
SVP, Licensing, North America – Media & Entertainment
SVP, Marketing – Food & Beverage Company
SVP, Global Marketing – Lifestyle Brand
Vice Presidents
VP, Global Brand Strategy – Toy Company
VP, Digital Strategy – Toy Company
VP, Marketing (Boys & Games) – Global Toy Company
VP, Marketing – Toy Company
VP, Human Resources – Consumer Products Company
VP, Product Design & Development – Global Toy Company
VP, Design & Development – Toy Manufacturer
VP, Softlines – Toy Company
VP, Sales – Toy Company
VP, Global Consumer Products – Gaming Company
VP, Global Media & Partnerships – Gaming Company
VP, Franchise Management – Gaming Company
VP, Product – Gaming Company
VP, Licensing – Gaming Company
VP, Consumer Insights – Gaming Company
VP, Package Design & Development – Gaming Company
VP, Franchise Marketing – Entertainment
VP, Brand Strategy – Gaming Company
VP, Consumer Products – Streaming Platform
VP, Partnerships – Media Company
VP, Sales Strategy – Consumer Products
VP, Franchise Marketing – Media & Entertainment
VP, Global Strategy – Household Products Company
VP, Sales Operations – CPG Company
VP, Brand Communications – Wellness Company
Functional & Department Leadership
Sr. Director of Brand Licensing, Fashion
Sr. Director, e-Commerce – Toy Company
Sr. Director, Brand Design – Gaming Company
Sr. Director, Licensing & Sales – Entertainment Company
Sr. Director, Brand & Digital Marketing – Skincare Manufacturer
Director, Brand Licensing – Toy Manufacturer
Director, Product Design & Development – Toy Company
Director of Marketing – Toy Company
Director of Global Supply Chain – Toy Company
Director, Retail Development – Toy Company
Director, Product Design – Toy Company
Director TV Animation – Gaming Company
Director of Marketing – Gaming Company
Director, Marketing Director, Toy and Character Design – Gaming Company
Director, Data Science, Planning, Process & Integration – Gaming Company
Director, Preliminary Product Design – Gaming Company
Engineering Site Director – Gaming Company
Director of Retail Sales – Entertainment Company
Human Resources Director – Entertainment Company
Product Approval Manager – Entertainment Company
Director, Creative Content – Gaming Studio
Director of Marketing, Kid’s Content Studio
Director of Marketing – Global Studio
Director, Category Management – Media & Entertainment Company
Director, Retail Development – Entertainment Studio
Director, Product Management – Media & Entertainment Company
Director, Brand Marketing – Media & Entertainment Company
Director, Retail Marketing – Media & Entertainment Company
Director, Human Resources – Media & Entertainment Company
Director, Global Marketing – Baby Products Company
Director, Sales Operations – CPG Company
Director, Retail Development – CPG Company
Director, Creative Services – Fashion Company
Director, Retail Development – Wellness Brand
Director, Creative Services – SMB Marketing Agency
Managers & Creative Leads
Sr. Manager, Social Media Content – Wellness Company
Sr. Manager, Preliminary Engineering – Toy Company
Engineering Manager, Mobile Video – Gaming Company
Sr. Manager, Licensing & Retail – Gaming Company
Sr. PR Manager – Gaming Company
Franchise Manager – Entertainment Company
Sr. Creative Manager – Media & Entertainment Company
Category Manager, Fashion – Media & Entertainment Company
Manager, Design – SMB Marketing Agency
Sr. Design Manager – Global Toy Company
Creative Director – Toy Company
Creative Director – Toy Manufacturer
Creative Director – Toy Manufacturer
Sr. Packaging Design Manager – Toy Manufacturer
Sr. Product Designer – Toy Manufacturer
Individual Contributors
Sr. Product Designer – Toy Company
Sr. Packaging Designer – Toy Company
Marketing Analyst – Gaming Company
Sr. Engineer, Mobile Video – Gaming Company
Art Director, Theatrical – SMB Marketing Agency
Senior Project Copywriter – SMB CPG Company
Lead Software Engineer, Console – Gaming Company
Full Stack Software Engineer – Gaming Company
Frontend Software Engineer – Gaming Company
Backend Software Engineer – Gaming Company
IP Attorney – Toy Company
IP Attorney – Entertainment Company
Data Scientist – Entertainment Company
Staff Designer – Toy Company
Associate Business Systems Analyst – Gaming Company
Sr. Graphic Designer – SMB E-Commerce Company
Creative Content Lead
De Forest Search + TalentoHC
In 2023, De Forest Search joined forces with TalentoHC, a nationally recognized executive search firm with a global footprint. Together, we’ve created a more agile, scalable, and insight-driven partner for brands across consumer products, lifestyle, entertainment, and beyond.
As De Forest Search marks 30 years of building transformative leadership teams, this new chapter combines our legacy of industry expertise with TalentoHC’s expansive global reach, delivering even greater value to our clients.
Transforming What Looks Like
Global Reach, Local Insight
Offices in Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and the UK give us regional expertise with worldwide connectivity.
EXPLORE OUR GLOBAL NETWORK →
Executive Search Across Industries
From consumer products to technology, we deliver talent solutions that align with each client’s goals and culture.
SEE OUR INDUSTRY EXPERTISE →
Scalable, High-Touch Solutions
Every business is unique. Whether you need a single executive hire or an entire team buildout, we tailor our strategies to your needs.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PROCESS →
Trusted By Industry Leaders
De Forest Search has partnered with global leaders in entertainment, consumer products, and lifestyle industries, placing the executives who drive innovation, growth, and success.
I have worked with Jill and the De Forest Search Team for over 20 years in hiring some of our most challenging and critical roles from Manager through EVP. We engaged De Forest Search at Fox, Disney, Sony, and Viacom, and their knowledgeable team consistently delivered top-tier candidates. They have a pulse on the market and work seamlessly together, which is evident in the quality of candidates they produce in a relatively short period of time. De Forest Search makes the process effortless with their diligence in scheduling, feedback, activity updates, and negotiations. They are an absolute pleasure to work with.
Maureen Frontino
Sr. Talent Acquisition Manager
Jill had represented and placed me as EVP at Disney Consumer Products and I have worked with her for hiring needs at Mattel, Disney, and Play Monster. Jill is highly knowledgeable in the toy and entertainment industry and is a great resource for critical hires.
Tim Kilpin
President, Toys, Games, Licensing & Entertainment
I have had the pleasure of working with Jill De Forest at De Forest Search over the past several years and I consider her a trusted advisor in my executive career. She was extremely helpful, transparent and patient in helping to place me at an entertainment studio in a senior executive position. The whole team at De Forest has been great!
Kirk Bloomgarden
SVP, Global Consumer Products
The De Forest Search team was a pleasure to work with through the process. From the very beginning, they were incredibly professional, responsive, helpful and persistent. Their team took a methodical approach to learning about my goals, and acted as a trusted source throughout the entire process. De Forest’s extensive industry knowledge was evident, and I highly recommend working with them.
Jeff Wear
Brand Licensing Director, J.D. Power
Over the past two and a half years, the team at De Forest Search has successfully assisted us on quite a few challenging projects. Their flexibility, dedication, and expertise resulted in great new members for our team. We truly appreciate, enjoy, and value partnering with the team at De Forest Search.
Ivo Gerscovich
Chief Brand Officer
TalentoHC and De Forest Search identified an opportunity that changed my career trajectory, proving they truly understand the market and their clients’ needs
Placed Executive
SEPT 10 2025
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UPCOMING EVENT
Toy Association Happy Hour
Hosted by De Forest Search
Sign up to receive early details and be the first to know when official registration opens.
Get in Touch with the De Forest Team
Whether you’re scaling an established brand or launching your next big innovation, De Forest Search, powered by TalentoHC, can help you secure game-changing executives.
Let’s start the conversation.
Visit Us or Reach Out
Our Office
360 N Pacific Coast Hwy, 2nd Floor,
El Segundo, CA 90245
Contact Us
Jill@deforestsearch.com
(310) 683-3066
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