Kim First brings more than a dozen years of experience to the life sciences consulting and executive recruitment process. A respected industry expert, she has worked closely with many of the largest biopharmaceutical and healthcare companies on multi-year engagements and assignments. Collaborating with C-suite executives, high-level physicians and scientists, she helps build successful teams, structure competitive organizations and analyze market forces. Kim is a sought-after authority, providing an in-depth understanding of industry trends and their affect on the workforce, and offering unique candidate assessment and recruitment methodologies. Since becoming president and CEO in 2005, Kim has driven and cultivated The Agency’s unsurpassed commitment to connecting the world’s greatest scientific minds with the most innovative life sciences enterprises. She has developed a customized, dynamic, matrix-like group of recruiting professionals and a vast network of industry contacts who work together on a global scale to identify and attract the leading “passive” talent. Her sensitivities to the needs of The Agency’s clients and candidates has driven the company’s successful placements – totaling hundreds of high-quality candidates over the decades for a myriad of life-altering teams at Fortune 500 organizations. Kim joined The Agency as an executive recruiter in 1999, bringing with her a sophisticated understanding of complex corporations and their diverse business requirements that was developed over the years in her roles with The Walt Disney Company and Sony. Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, she graduated with honors from UCLA in Psychology and completed additional coursework at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Kim’s devotion to The Agency is only second to that of her husband and three young sons.
Jeff Appelbaum, EVP & COO
Jeff Appelbaum joined The Agency in 2005 after spending over a decade in senior level management roles in technology and entertainment companies. As EVP and COO, he is responsible for The Agency’s business operations including strategy, IT, finance, and HR. Jeff started his career in the entertainment industry, holding various creative positions that led to prime time program development for the ABC/Walt Disney Company. He worked on the forefront of technology as director of post production for a company that produced programming for the World Wide Web at the dawn of the Internet revolution. Prior to joining The Agency, Jeff spent three years in a global project management role at CCH, Inc. where he spearheaded initiatives to redesign the company’s global suite of software products. Jeff is a Sacramento native and a graduate of the University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television with a bachelor’s degree in Critical Studies. Jeff’s affinity for the world of technology drives The Agency’s innovative culture while his strong leadership skills and amiable personality foster a passionate, fulfilling environment. He is involved in numerous boards and is an active member of Vistage. On the sideline, Jeff works as a college football referee, is an avid cyclist and fills many hours coaching his sons’ sports teams.
Dani Gavson, Sr. Consultant
Before settling in Southern California, Dani Gavson hailed originally from Johannesburg, South Africa. A graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand with a bachelor’s of Business Science, Dani is a seasoned search professional who began her recruiting career over 20 years ago in South Africa working for the largest placement agency in the country where she specialized in technical sourcing. She later started her own consultancy which she ran until immigrating to the United States. Prior to joining The Agency in 2004, Dani was a senior consultant at Kforce, where she won Rookie of the Year and also earned a Bronze Club Award each of her three years with the company. At The Agency, Dani leads projects on behalf of The Agency’s pharmacy benefits clients. She also specializes in identifying clinicians and project management & operations executives for leadership positions with biopharma clients in the US, Europe and Asia Pacific. Her highly prized international network, combined with her tenacious, results-driven attitude makes her a tremendously successful professional. Dani is an avid reader and enjoys traveling the globe.
Tamir Halaban, Group Director, Biopharmaceutical Practice
As Group Director, Tamir Halaban is responsible for managing key relationships with biopharmaceutical clients, mentoring recruiters and conducting searches on senior-level positions. Tamir joined The Agency in 2001 and over the course of his tenure has established himself as a lead recruiter in the field, focusing heavily on the global recruitment of top clinician scientists in the therapeutic areas of oncology, rheumatology, immunology and endocrinology. Many influential industry leaders credit Tamir for connecting them to their current opportunities. Energetic, informed, and personable, Tamir draws inspiration from “collaborating with people who are changing lives,” and observes that, “people with the vision to succeed in these fields share the same inspirational energy as some of civilization’s most celebrated artists and inventors; it’s a spark that lasts throughout their careers and illuminates every aspect of their lives.” Born in New York, Tamir graduated from Yale University with a degree in Philosophy. Upon graduating, he made his way to Los Angeles where he began as a freelance journalist with regular assignments interviewing people with extraordinary and unique jobs. While not busy networking, Tamir can be found throwing fabulous dinner parties with his wife and spending hours playing with his four year old son and baby daughter.
Carol Huang, Director of Research & Head of Asia-Pacific Operations
Carol joined The Agency in 2010 as Director of Research & Head of Asia-Pacific Operations bringing with her a strategic, analytical, and global perspective to executive search-consulting. Carol leads a team in the development and implementation of research strategies, conducting benchmarking studies and in-depth market trend analysis of the industry. She is involved in customized, executive search-consulting projects and is responsible for leading large talent acquisition projects for the Asia-Pacific region. Carol’s unique perspective comes from her diverse experience and international background. Carol was born in Taiwan and educated at the International School in Taipei as well as The Royal School in the UK. She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, Taiwanese and English. Prior to joining The Agency, Carol held positions in international management consultancy firms, McKinsey & Company in Asia and Candesic in London. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Westminster and a law degree from BPP Law School in London. In her free time, she can be found designing handbags with Asian and European influences and golfing with friends and family.
Dagmar Moss, Sr. Consultant & Director of European Recruitment
Dagmar Moss joined The Agency in 1999, and every day leads with her passion for making a difference and connecting people around the globe. She loves meeting new people and is committed to creating connections, which are “truly advantageous to both candidates and our stellar clients!” During the course of her career at the company, she has spearheaded R&D, manufacturing, and commercial searches across Europe and the US. She has personally been responsible for placing many renowned scientists and medical doctors in global leadership roles for Fortune 100 clients across therapeutic areas. Dagmar has also been instrumental in the identification of top talent in the project management, manufacturing, and licensing & business development arenas. Originally from Germany, Dagmar is fluent in three languages and can “get around” in a few more. She graduated from California State University, Los Angeles, with degrees in English and German Literature. Dagmar started her career as an international correspondent for a global German Bank and later worked as an editor for the Los Angeles bureau of a German news agency. Her in-depth knowledge of the worldwide community made for a natural and easy transition into recruiting at The Agency, and she advances her acumen by staying abreast of trends and developments in the biopharmaceutical world. A dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, Dagmar enjoys travel, literature, art, cooking, hiking and yoga.
Kellie Woodworth, Sr. Consultant
Kellie Woodworth joined The Agency in 2003 and quickly became a leading recruiter, sourcing talent across the value chain from research and development to commercialization. In 2008, she took on additional responsibilities as account director for a number of The Agency’s high-profile biotechnology clients. Kellie is proud to work for a company that holds ethics and performance in high regard. She relishes the opportunity to offer candidates a better opportunity and clients the talent needed to develop top therapeutics contributing to better health worldwide. Over the years, Kellie has been instrumental in leading Agency efforts on the commercial side, driving search strategies and filling roles in product management, healthcare strategy, DTP strategy, managed care marketing, competitive intelligence and market analytics. Kellie is a Southern California native with a degree in advertising from San Diego State University. Kellie began her career in education as an assistant principal, overseeing staffing, admissions and curriculum. Upon discovering recruiting, she says, “The common denominator in both industries is really just people. I enjoy having the opportunity to speak and interact with intelligent and interesting people on a daily basis.” When she’s not changing the world of science as a recruiter, Kellie enjoys spending quality time with her husband, son and friends. She loves the beach, movies, books, traveling and most of all laughter!
Jason Troshinsky, Executive Search Consultant
Jason joined The Agency in 2011, making an immediate impact on behalf of The Agency’s international clients in the commercial arena. His extensive background in business development and market analysis, combined with his knowledge of the inner workings of large, global organizations, has proven to be invaluable to the Agency team. Over the last decade, Jason has been involved in working with dynamic companies such as Sony, Univision and Emmis Communications, representing innovation in the marketplace. Today, he is quickly making his mark in the biopharmaceutical industry, advising both clients and candidates with his strategic insight and detailed marketplace intelligence. Jason has an exceptional ability to engage in conversation and relate to a diverse group of individuals who are making transitions. He attributes this to his own personal and professional experiences of living across the United States and abroad in nine different cities. Jason is a graduate of the University of Arizona, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He currently lives in Los Angeles, and is an avid athlete who enjoys golf, running, and skiing.
Susan Shoemaker PhD, Director of Science & Operations
Susan Shoemaker, PhD joined The Agency in 2005 bringing both an industry and academic perspective to the organization. Susan earned her doctorate in Biochemistry from the University of California, San Diego, after obtaining a bachelor’s of science in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. In her role as director of science & operations, she utilizes her 20 years of research and teaching in life sciences to develop proprietary approaches to sourcing from in-depth publication reviews to analysis of cutting edge technologies and topics in the healthcare industry. Susan is also responsible for educating The Agency team on the technical aspects of our searches and is called upon by client human resource teams to provide scientific consulting services. Susan maintains relationships with many of the leading graduate and fellowship programs advising post docs and fellows on potential careers in industry and attends many key conferences to stay abreast of the latest trends. Susan also happens to be an excellent critic of good movies and books, and creates magnificent homemade treats to the delight of her co-workers facilitating the identification of ideal candidates in the most efficient manner.