Meet the Team

Tom, President and CEO, co-founded Smith Hanley in 1980 with a fellow graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.  He has overseen the firm's growth to 100 employees in five offices and their work with many of the top corporations and financial institutions in the United States. He graduated cum laude with a JD in 1983 from the New York Law School. Tom looks forward to the continued success of Smith Hanley and his role in providing great companies with great candidates. 

Richard Wastrom is a founding partner of Smith Hanley Associates and is the co-manager of the Financial Strategies Group (FSG). He directs searches in both the Institutional Investment and the Alternative Investment Management communities. His work encompasses a broad range of directives including chief investment officers, chief financial officers, chief technology officers, as well as roles within single and multi-family offices. Additional mandates involve investment research strategists, risk managers, and quantitative portfolio managers. Mr. Wastrom’s depth of experience and long-term relationships in the dynamic financial markets field have yielded proven expertise, respect and success (as noted by Emanuel Derman in his memoir, My Life As A Quant). He received his BA in Business Administration from the University of Vermont. 

A partner at Smith Hanley Associates, Jud has been with the firm since 1995. Having more than 25 years of experience in the field of portfolio management, quantitative research and technology recruitment for the financial industry, he fulfills both contingent and retained searches. Jud has worked in all facets of quantitative research and trading recruitment from individual portfolio managers to the establishment of several systematic global hedge funds managing billions in client capital. He has also filled a plethora of quantitative and technical roles. From the chief technology officer of a $10BB hedge fund, to the lead developers and quantitative analysts of countless trading desks at the world’s leading investment banks and hedge funds, Jud’s vast network of connections offers both clients and applicants an experienced and informed resource in the global market. A 1993 graduate of Hobart College, Jud has a Bachelor of Science in political science. 

After finishing his MBA at the John Welch College of Business, Rory joined Smith Hanley in 2015 to recruit in the actuarial and analytics space. He specializes in the placement of actuaries and statistical analytics candidates nationwide. 

Rory has over 15 years business experience in both recruiting and operations providing him the tools necessary to assist both clients and candidates. In his spare time Rory enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and fishing. 

Eda Zullo joined Smith Hanley in 2000 and has since become a driving force in the confidential recruitment of Commercial Analytics professionals across the Pharmaceutical, Biotech, Life Sciences, and Healthcare industries. With a sharp focus on data science, marketing science, sales analytics, forecasting, and data management, Eda is known for delivering high-impact talent that fuels business success.

Clients value her unmatched industry insight and her ability to identify candidates who excel both technically and culturally. One client shared, “Eda has a tremendous understanding of our hiring needs. She not only understands the job requirements, but also the ‘soft skills,’ which are just as important. It’s a true partnership. She’s placed most of our group—Eda is the BEST of the BEST!”

Before entering executive search at Smith Hanley Associates, Eda spent over 20 years in sales and marketing at the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), covering the NY Tri-State area. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Rosemont College and brings a rare combination of empathy, expertise, and results-driven focus to every search.

Deirdre Kiniry is a Managing Director and has been with Smith Hanley Associates since 2000. Deirdre has over 30 years of recruitment experience covering a diverse range of searches in the financial services sector for institutional asset managers, investment banks and hedge funds. She has completed senior-level marketing and business development searches for several alternative asset management clients. Other successful mandates have included sector-specific portfolio managers and analysts. Deirdre is a graduate of the University of Connecticut. 

Nihar joined Smith Hanley Associates in 2013 and brings more than a decade of recruiting experience. His expertise spans AI, biometrics, preclinical/clinical development, clinical operations, drug discovery, health economics, medical affairs, regulatory affairs, and related functions. Nihar’s success is rooted in his ability to build strong relationships and demonstrate genuine empathy—qualities that have earned him the trust of both clients and candidates. He is dedicated to upholding Smith Hanley’s outstanding reputation in the industry for years to come. Outside of work, Nihar enjoys spending time with his family and newborn daughter, playing (novice) golf, and traveling.

Lindsey Bartlett leads the Market Research & Consumer Insights area. With a decade of experience recruiting in this niche, Lindsey has proven successful in making the match. Her highly consultative nature combined with her dedication to excellence pushes her to swiftly and successfully find you the best talent. Lindsey is a strong recruiter and highly personable, staying abreast of new industry trends by attending a variety of conferences and participating with our affiliations. Offer her an oat milk latte and a good conversation and she’ll always be in your corner. 

Rory O’Neill is a Director at Smith Hanley Associates within the Financial Strategies Group. She focuses on asset management and hedge fund clients across all strategies, with particular expertise in fundamental long/short equities. Rory brings more than twenty years of experience in finance to Smith Hanley. Prior to joining Smith Hanley, she worked at SAC (now Point72) in equities management as the Director of Broker Relations, at Lehman Brothers for eight years in equity research and equity sales marketing, and at Intel Corporation’s treasury department. Rory holds an MBA with concentrations in finance and accounting from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. 

Daniel Wilberschied is an Executive Recruiter dedicated to the industry of Market Research and Consumer Insights. His commitment to partnership in the recruitment relationship allows him to be a true consultant across both client and candidate. Daniel has successfully partnered with both niche research companies and fortune 500 corporations, all through transparent communication and industry expertise. Outside of work Daniel loves spending time with his family and playing music. 

Shane Meehan joined Smith Hanley in 2023. He is currently on the Data Science and Analytics team. Prior to joining Smith Hanley, he recruited healthcare professionals for more than thirty years. He prides himself on approaching each interaction in a consultative manner, valuing the skill of listening in order to better understand the needs of the candidate and client. This allows him to serve those needs in the most effective and efficient way possible. He holds an MBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of Connecticut and a BS in Business Management from Bryant College. Outside of work, Shane enjoys immersing himself in the beauty and wonder of nature.

Andrew Scinto joined Smith Hanley Associates in 2023. Prior to Smith Hanley, Andrew was an educator in the Easton and Fairfield Connecticut School systems for 12 years. He brings an uplifting personality and a unwavering pursuit of achievement to our Actuarial and Analytical recruiting team. Andrew enjoys live music, sports, nature and attended Southern Connecticut State University where he studied business and education.