ABOUT US
Wallace Deckey Consulting provides retained executive search and related strategic talent advisory services to publicly listed, private, and private equity-backed Consumer businesses and their sponsors.
We will only work on a handful of assignments at any one time, taking complete responsibility for the entire end-to-end process to ensure the most successful, value-accretive outcome for our clients. We are known for our collaborative, thoughtful, creative, and candid approach, and diligent commitment to everything we undertake.
— values & differentiators
Values
We value partnership. We aim to be authentic and (appropriately) candid in our interactions with both clients and candidates and hope we can expect the same in return.
We value diversity. We believe the best solution for any problem can only be achieved with a diversity of perspectives at the table. Every candidate slate we present will be diverse.
Differentiators
Partner-led engagements. We take on only a handful of projects at any one time, with Partner management and execution of all projects end-to-end, ensuring an unparalleled level of responsiveness, sense of urgency, and quality of deliverables. We approach every search as though we were rounding out our own team. We do not pass our administrative costs on to our clients.
Approach engagements with growth and business transformation mindset. We solve complex problems with solutions that will help transform your business. We combine a strategic, analytic approach with tenacious, rigorous research to ensure we find the best answer for every assignment. We are thoughtful and creative, not formulaic, in considering and evaluating potential sources of talent as well as applicable capabilities and experiences, not bound by or limited to the obvious, direct competitor set. We are not constrained by off-limits.
Unique blend of operator and search experience. We have first-hand experience to evaluate issues from all sides. Sarah Deckey's diverse professional background allows her to bring an unmatched 360 degree perspective to every assignment. She held a range of operating roles before going into search, and has been on both the client and search partner sides of the search relationship, providing a full understanding of the search process dynamics at work for both clients and candidates.
Sarah Deckey
Founder & Managing Partner
Sarah Deckey is a strategic thought partner to her clients, bringing the perspective and credibility gained through more than two decades of experience in operating and strategy roles in apparel/retail, the well-honed financial acumen garnered through time as a sell-side equity analyst, and best-in-class, multi-dimensional executive search experience.
Sarah began her executive search career at the global executive search firm Korn Ferry, as a Principal in the Retail/Consumer Practice. She then got a taste of in-house executive search, joining then-”decacorn” WeWork, to build and lead the global leadership recruiting function. Later, Sarah was a Partner leading the US Consumer and Business Services practices at Skillcapital, a boutique executive search and advisory firm working exclusively in the private markets, predominantly with large-cap buyout funds.
— read more
Sarah spent the first chapter of her career in a diverse range of corporate environments and multiple functions in apparel/footwear/accessories, retail, and luxury goods, including strategy, business development, licensing, international operations/planning and brand development. Sarah held senior executive roles at Kellwood and The Donna Karan Company, and also spent 4 years at Citigroup (then Salomon Smith Barney) in equity research, covering textiles, apparel, and footwear. Prior to moving into executive search, Sarah was the Vice President of Strategy and Business Development in VF Corporation's Sportswear Coalition, where she was responsible for integrating a broad agenda of consumer insight, strategy, innovation, and brand development to support brand, coalition, financial, and TSR key initiatives, and the overall growth agenda for the coalition, inclusive of the Nautica and Kipling brands.
Sarah is a dual national, with US and UK citizenships. She holds a B.A. in East Asian Studies, cum laude, from Yale University and an M.B.A. from Columbia University's Graduate School of Business.
Clients
Wallace Deckey Consulting provides retained executive search and related strategic talent advisory services to publicly listed, private, and private equity-backed businesses and their sponsors.
We build leadership teams and boards, with a focus on Consumer businesses, spanning retail; consumer durables; leisure products; food & beverage; packaged goods; apparel/footwear/accessories and luxury goods; hotels, restaurants and leisure; and other consumer services.
Our services
Retained executive search
We place seasoned and emerging leaders into both board and executive roles across the Consumer landscape.
Deal support
We make strategic introductions to private equity investors to help evaluate deals and gain competitive advantage. We also identify buy-in leadership teams when this is a key element of a client's value creation plan.
Talent mapping, referencing, & other strategic talent advisory projects
We provide comprehensive talent mapping and strategic executive introductions so our clients can maintain a steady talent pipeline and be abreast of best-in-class capabilities across functions. We will also conduct confidential candidate referencing, including both blind and candidate-provided references, and will consider taking on other, ad hoc strategic talent-related projects.
Candidates
Wallace Deckey Consulting is focused on providing its clients with talent solutions - whether that be executive leaders, board members, and/or advisors - that will drive value, always aligned with and responsive to their goals/objectives.
That said, and with that in mind, we are always interested in meeting great leaders, both established and emerging, and encourage you to get in touch directly to introduce yourself.
CONTACT US
