Our Team Leadership
Richard Wastrom, Financial Strategies
Associates. As the co-manager of the Financial Strategies Group (FSG), he directs searches in both the
Institutional Investment and Alternative Investment Management communities. His work encompasses a broad
range of directives including chief investment officers, chief financial officers, chief information
officers, as well as roles within single and multifamily offices. Additional mandates involve investment
research strategists, risk managers, and quantitative portfolio managers (as noted by Emanuel Derman in his
memoir, My Life As A Quant). Mr. Wastrom’s depth of experience and long-term relationships in the dynamic
financial markets field have yielded proven expertise, respect and success. He received his BA in business
administration from the University of Vermont.
Jud Smith, Financial Strategies
than eighteen years of experience in the field of portfolio management 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 new 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.
Jacque Paige, Quantitative Marketing
Jacque joined our team after a five-year stint with General Mills. She loves the entrepreneurial aspect of
recruiting, and the energy and enthusiasm generated from working with her associates, clients and
candidates. The explosion of data and its use in marketing and business applications has grown her staff to
17 including recruiters specializing in data science, market research, biostatistics, consumer credit,
actuarial science and pharmaceutical sales and medical science liaisons. Jacque enjoys attending schools
with unusual mascot names. She is a Boilermaker and a Tarheel having received a BS from Purdue and an MBA
from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Tom Hanley, President & CEO
THanley@smithhanley.com 203-319-4300
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.
Our Team
Nihar Parikh, Biostatistics & Medical Affairs
Nihar joined Smith Hanley Associates in 2013 and works in Biostatistics, Clinical Research, Medical Science
Liaisons (MSLs), and Medical Affairs. He works with diverse clients from global Pharma’s to Biotech, CRO and
Medical Device companies. Smith Hanley Associates has a rich history biostatistics, and Nihar hopes to carry
the torch for many years to come. He believes the keys to success in this industry are the ability to build
long lasting relationships, a strong work ethic, and above all having integrity. Nihar is an advocate for
his candidates, and will go beyond their resume and accomplishments to help them reach their full potential.
In his free time some of Nihar’s interests include travel, golf, yoga, and financial markets.
Areas of Expertise: Jobs in Biostatistics, CDISC Standards, Clinical Development, Clinical
Data Management, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Drug Discovery and Development, Drug Safety,
Epidemiology, Health Economics Outcomes Research, Medical Affairs/MSL, Medical Director, Real World
Evidence, Scientific Director, SAS Programming, Statistical Design, and Statistical Modeling. Biostatistics
Agency, Biostatistics Contractors, Biostatistician Jobs, Biostatistics Recruiter, Contract SAS Programmers,
Medical Affairs Recruiter, and MSL Jobs.
Lindsey Bartlett, Market Research & Consumer Insights
Lindsey specializes in the recruitment of primary and secondary market research professionals in the areas
of consumer and shopper insights, category management, new product development, and competitive
intelligence. Her clients include Fortune 500 corporations, suppliers and consulting firms across all
industries (financial services, pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, CPG, retail, technology,
multimedia, hospitality, retail and food service). Lindsey’s ambitious character and personable demeanor
make her a valuable resource for her clients, as well as a reliable point of contact for her candidates.
Prior to joining our team at Smith Hanley, Lindsey recruited in the realty space; placing positions from
Leasing Agent through Finance and Acquisitions.
Areas of Expertise: Primary Research, Secondary Research, New Product Development, User
Experience (UX), Customer Experience (CX), Brand and Advertising Research, Media Measurement, Media
Effectiveness, Online Communities, Research Operations, Saas, Pharmaceutical Research, Commercialization,
Brand Strategy, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Ethnography, Political Polling, Sustainability
Research.
Major industries include: Consumer Package Goods, Pharmaceutical, Retail, Media, FMCG,
Management Consulting, Travel & Leisure, Energy, Utilities, Financial Services, Gaming, Medical Device
& Food.
Neurology.
Paul Chatlos, Data Science and Analytics
Paul specializes in the recruitment of quantitative marketing and data science professionals. He prides
himself in building excellent relationships with both clients and candidates in order to best address their
hiring needs and career goals. Paul has spent the majority of his professional career in the recruitment
industry. He has recruited sales and marketing professionals in the pharmaceutical, medical device and
biotechnology industries as well has worked in physician recruitment. He holds a BS in psychology from James
Madison University.
Areas of Expertise: Analyst, Analytics, Analysis, Big Data, Business Analysis, Business
Analyst, Data Analysis, Data Analyst Digital Analytics, Database Management, Data Mining, Data Scientist,
Decision Science, Digital Analytics, Econometrician, Econometric Modeling, Forecasting, Machine Learning,
Marketing Analytics, Market Research, Market Mix Modeling, Media Mix Modeling, Modeling, Pricing,
Programming, Promotion Response, Sampling, Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Statistician, Survey
Methodology, Web Analytics, R, SAS, Python, SQL,: Classification Methods including Neural Net, Logistic
Regression, Decision Trees, KNN, SVM, Random Forest; Regression methods including Linear, Nonlinear, Boosted
Regression Trees; Clustering methods such as K-means, Fuzzy C-means, Hierarchical Clustering, Mixture
Modeling; Time-series Modeling using AR, ARMA, GARCH, Exponential Smoothing, also, Hypothesis Testing,
Experiment Design, Hierarchical Modeling, Bayesian Inference, Java, Matlab, Octave, R, VBA, Linux, Shell
Scripting, Map-Reduce, Hadoop, Hive, NoSQL ,: cognos, Informatica, OLAP, Oracle, Qlikview, Sybase, Spotfire,
Teradata, MS-Access, Relational Databases, XML, JSON, PLSQL, NOSQL, Oracle 11g, MongoDB, Omniture, Google
Analytics, and Spring Metrics.
Nancy Darian, Data Science and Analytics
One of Nancy’s favorite hobbies is cooking for family and friends. And when she’s at the office, she does
soup to nuts recruiting as team leader and executive recruiter for the marketing analytics and data science
practice in the Midwest and South regions. She believes that the recipe for success involves working closely
with both clients and candidates. Nancy knows that her clients have a lot on their plates and need
recruiting assistance from a professional, so she focuses on serving up a menu of qualified candidates that
fit her clients’ technical, industry and soft skill requirements. In her broad recruiting area, she hunts
down cream of the crop candidates at all levels, from small potatoes to big enchiladas. Her overall
assessment of being a part of our team at Smith Hanley? It’s been a fun way to bring home the bacon. If you
want to know what Nancy has been cooking up lately at Smith Hanley, send her a message at ndarian@smithhanley.com
Areas of Recruiting Expertise: A/B testing, acquisition and loyalty analytics, ANOVA,
Bayesian, big data, Business Objects, campaign analysis, CHAID, CART, churn analysis, cluster analysis, CPG
analytics, credit and risk analytics, CRM analytics, customer lifetime value, data mining, data science,
decision trees, demand planning, design of experiments, digital (web) analysis, discrete choice, DOE, factor
analysis, forecasting, fraud detection analysis, Google Analytics, Hadoop, Hive, JMP, linear regression,
logistic regression, machine learning, MANOVA, market mix modeling, marketing analytics, model validation,
multivariate analysis, neural networks, Omniture, optimization, Pig, pricing analysis, predictive modeling,
predictive analytics, POS data, promotion response analysis, propensity analysis, Python, R, ROI analysis,
regression analysis, retention analysis, SAS, SPSS, SQL, segmentation analysis, scoring, site selection,
statistical modeling, statistical analysis, survey analysis, time series analysis
Rory Hauser, Actuarial Science
After finishing his MBA at the John Welch College of Business, Rory joined our team at Smith Hanley to
recruit in actuarial science. Rory brings his six years of business experience in both recruiting and
operations to the professional service he provides his clients and his candidates.
Areas of Expertise: Actuary, Pricing, Property and Casualty, Health & Benefits, Life,
Annuities & Investments, Pension, Actuarial Science, Insurance, Health Care, Society of Actuaries,
Associate Society of Actuaries, Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst, Casualty Actuarial Society, Fellowship of
Casualty Actuarial Society, Validation by Educational Experience, Linear Models, Mathematics, Statistics,
Financial Theory, Economics, Probability, Life Contingencies, Evaluation Models.
Deirdre Kiniry, Financial Strategies
experience covering a diverse range of searches in the financial services sector for institutional asset
managers, investment banks and hedge funds. Recently she completed senior-level marketing and client service
searches for alternative asset management clients. Other successful mandates have included sector-specific
portfolio managers and distressed credit analysts. Deirdre is a graduate of the University of Connecticut.
David Matz, Financial Strategies
646-632-3755
technology and quantitative research, he is a Partner in the firm’s Financial Strategies Group. David’s
understanding of the financial services industry enables him to identify and communicate with top
information technology and quantitative research professionals with a proven record of impactful
performance. David’s client portfolio focuses on technology and quantitative research within hedge funds,
investment management, and investment banking. He has fulfilled successful searches for managing directors,
executive directors, directors, group heads, and other essential leadership positions responsible for major
strategic initiatives focused on information technology. Before David joined Smith Hanley Associates in
September of 2010, he worked at The Mergis Group, where he was an executive recruiter in the accounting and
finance divisions, and CT Partners, where he entered the financial services technology field. A graduate of
The University of Maryland with a degree in marketing, David is based in Smith Hanley’s Manhattan office at
the Met Life Building, New York, NY.
Nancy Ragonese, Pharmaceutical
Nancy Ragonese joined our team at Smith Hanley Associates in 2014 and now leads the Pharmaceutical Sales and
Medical Affairs practice areas. Her relationships with her clients and candidates is one of personalized,
knowledgeable service, helping companies acquire the top talent in the industry, and working with candidates
throughout their careers, are the trademarks of her recruiting practice. Nancy’s expertise is in the
recruitment of pharmaceutical sales and operations leaders nationwide, including sales training, sales
operations, zone and area managers, clinical nurse educators and medical science liaison’s. Nancy also has a
strong track record of success in sales force expansions and build-outs requiring attainment of top talent
in a tight time frame. Whether you have one specialized hire, ten hires for a small expansion, or 100+
hires, Nancy and her experienced team will be there every step of the way. Before joining Smith Hanley
Associates, Nancy spent over seven years at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. in the HR business
partner function where she provided comprehensive HR support to over 500 employees and business leaders in
prescription medicines on complex situations brought to HR including; workforce expansions, recruiting,
performance management, leaves of absence, reductions in force, compensation management and policy
interpretation.
Areas of Expertise: Pharmaceutical Sales Leaders; Sales Reps; District Managers; Regional
Managers; Regional Directors; Account Managers; Account Executives; Vice Presidents; Zone Directors; Nurse
Educators; Medical Science Liaisons; MSL; Specialty; Primary; Respiratory; Cardiovascular; Diabetes;
Metabolic; Rheumatology; Gastroenterology; Pulmonology; Biosimilars; Oncology; HCV; Institutional; HIV,
Hepatitis; Hospital; Long-Term Care; Orphan Diseases
Rory O’Neill, Financial Services
Rory O’Neill is a Director at Smith Hanley Associates within the Financial Services
Practice. She focuses on asset management and hedge fund clients across all strategies, with particular
expertise in fundamental long/short equities.
Rory brings more than 20 years of experience in finance to Smith Hanley’s Financial Services
Practice. Prior to joining Smith Hanley, Rory worked at SAC (now Point72) in Equities Management as the
Director of Broker Relations, at Lehman Brothers for 8 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.
Eda Zullo, Pharmaceutical
Eda joined our team at Smith Hanley Associates in 2000. Her relationships with her clients and candidates is
one of personalized, knowledgeable service. Helping companies develop and build groups, and working with
candidates throughout their careers, are the hallmarks of her recruiting practice.Eda’s expertise is in the
recruitment of life sciences, pharmaceutical and biotech healthcare professionals in the quantitative and
statistical area. Her practice is within the marketing analytics space that concentrates in marketing
science, sales analytics, forecasting and promotion response.
Before joining Smith Hanley Associates, Eda spent more than 20 years in the nonprofit sector with the
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). She had regional sales and marketing responsibilities in metropolitan
New York. With expertise in membership development, special events and promotions, Eda fostered strong
business relationships with corporations through strategic alliances and partnerships throughout her tenure.
She holds a BA in sociology from Rosemont College.
Areas of Expertise: Pharma, Biotech, BioPharma, Life Science, Healthcare, Medical Device,
Management Science, Marketing Science, Data Science, Sales and Marketing Analytics, Forecasting, Call
Planning and Targeting, Sales and Commercial Effectiveness, Promotion Response Analysis, Territory
Alignment, Sales Force Size and Structure, Marketing Mix Analysis, Statistical Analysis, Big Data, SAS, R,
Python, Hadoop, SQL, SPSS, Tableau, Spotfire, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Office.
Sandy DeChello, Support Staff
in assisting a variety of recruiters keeps our services accurate, quick and efficient. Her loyalty to Smith
Hanley, her calm demeanor and her genuine effort to do the right thing make Sandy a tip-top employee.
Jen Fekete, Support Staff
Markets group, but has also actively worked with all of the Quantitative Marketing recruiters. Jen is a
native of Connecticut but currently works remotely from Texas. This move has been a seamless transition for
Jen and Smith Hanley. She is as efficient and reliable as she always has been in person. You know when you
give a project to Jen it will come back even better than expected.
cal Equipment
Daniel Wilberschied, Market Research & Consumer Insights
Daniel specializes in the recruitment of primary and secondary market research professionals across a
variety of fields. Daniels personable and driven personality makes him a great asset and resource for his
clients. Prior to joining our team at Smith Hanley, Daniel was a Financial Advisor in the personal planning
space allowing him to work directly with his clients and creating connections that were more than just
business. Daniel believes the key to success is to be diligent in your work and build relationships that
bridge the gap between our clients and candidates.
Areas of Expertise: Primary Research, Secondary Research, New Product Development, User
Experience (UX), Customer Experience (CX), Brand and Advertising Research, Media Measurement, Media
Effectiveness, Online Communities, Research Operations, Saas, Pharmaceutical Research, Commercialization,
Brand Strategy, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Ethnography, Political Polling, Sustainability
Research.
Major industries include: Consumer Package Goods, Pharmaceutical, Retail, Media, FMCG,
Management Consulting, Travel & Leisure, Energy, Utilities, Financial Services, Gaming, Medical Device
& Food.
Pierson Wofford, Market Research & Consumer Insights
Pierson specializes in the recruitment of marketing research & insights professionals nationwide. His respectful character paired with his leadership and ambition make him an exceptional consultant for both the client and the candidate. His side hustles include coaching kids basketball as well as running his custom clothing business. While attending Augustana University, Pierson was the men’s varsity basketball team captain.
Areas of Expertise: Primary Research, Secondary Research, New Product Development, User Experience (UX), Customer Experience (CX), Brand and Advertising Research, Media Measurement, Media Effectiveness, Online Communities, Research Operations, Saas, Pharmaceutical Research, Commercialization, Brand Strategy, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Ethnography, Political Polling, Sustainability Research.
Major industries include: Consumer Package Goods, Pharmaceutical, Retail, Media, FMCG, Management Consulting, Travel & Leisure, Energy, Utilities, Financial Services, Gaming, Medical Device & Food.