About Ellis Kirk Group
We start with the principle that each of our clients is unique, with their individual strategic vision and strong cultural values that contribute to their success. Our passion is helping clients build exceptional and inclusive leadership teams that leverage diverse backgrounds, remarkable skill sets, and the energy and enthusiasm to help deliver our clients’ growth and leadership objectives and cultural initiatives.
Our team reflects the diversity, vast experience, and rich talent that our clients seek to develop within their organizations. This enables us to develop an immersive understanding of your growth and leadership objectives while becoming fierce advocates of your cultural initiatives.
The collaboration between our diverse, experienced, and talented team and our clients leads to meaningful, long-term relationships that are based on trust, respect, and open communication with both our clients and the outstanding executive talent pool that we have cultivated over decades of shared endeavors.
Let’s start a relationship.
Meet your trusted strategic advisors.
Matrice Ellis-Kirk
Matrice, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, has over 20 years of experience in the executive search industry. She has developed a depth of knowledge about corporate governance and an overwhelming desire to help companies change their communities.
Before founding Ellis Kirk Group, Matrice led board and CEO assignments at two large global search firms and a boutique search firm. She began her search career in the Consumer Goods and Services and Private Equity Practices, as well as the Financial Officers Practice. Her early career was as an officer in commercial banking at MBank, the vice president of the Office of Management and Budget at Dallas Area Rapid Transit, and leading the Dallas office of investment banking firm Apex Securities.
Matrice and her husband, Ron, are empty nesters mostly living in Dallas, Texas. Her interests span the arts, education, and transportation. Matrice is the chair emeritus and life board member of the AT&T Performing Arts Center and is a Dallas City Council appointed board member of the DFW Airport Authority. She was appointed to the Jefferies Financial Group board.
James O’Sullivan
James, a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, has been recruiting senior-level executives for more than 20 years. He has partnered with organizations across a variety of industries including healthcare, industrial manufacturing, financial services, consumer goods, retail, and hospitality. His clients include Fortune 500 and small/mid-cap companies, as well as private equity-backed organizations.
Before helping to found Ellis Kirk Group, James was a Principal for a large international search firm as well as a boutique executive search firm where he led the Financial Officers practice. Between stints in executive search, James led human resources for two acute care hospitals in the Dallas area. As a member of the leadership team, he helped to drive improved operational results through increased employee engagement and strategic talent initiatives. He has consistently consulted senior executives on leadership/talent development, succession planning, and implementing strategies to improve overall corporate culture.
James and his wife, Megan, live in Dallas, Texas with their three children. He enjoys spending time with his family and attending their various sports events and other activities.
Kira North
Kira attended the University of Texas at Dallas and is a seasoned executive recruiter with more than 20 years of experience. During her career, she has recruited a wide range of C-Suite executives including President, CFO, CHRO, CMO, CIO, and GC. She has worked across a variety of industries including technology, industrial, consumer, professional services, real estate, and non-profit.
Prior to joining Ellis Kirk Group, Kira worked at two internationally recognized leading search firms, where for more than 10 years she led senior-level HR searches across all functional chairs for Fortune 500 clients and Private Equity firms.
When she’s not working, Kira enjoys painting, traveling, reading, and listening to live music.
Maura Bartley
Maura has over 15 years of experience in the executive search industry with deep knowledge in operations and policies. Prior to co-founding Ellis Kirk Group, Maura served as a project manager to a nationally renowned executive search partner at a large global search firm and a boutique search firm.
She currently designs and implements business operations, establishes policies that promote company culture and vision, and oversees operations of the company and the work of the team.
Her early career was a project manager to a regional renowned commercial real estate executive. Prior to that, she was the accounting manager at a local financial institution.
Maura graduated Magna cum laud from the University of Texas – Dallas with a bachelor’s in business administration. She enjoys the outdoors, reading, family, and friends.
Susan Williams
Susan was previously with two of the top executive search firms and has more than 15 years of experience as an executive assistant with various partners across different industries. Her role consisted of all aspects of client management including extensive communication with both clients and candidates. This included handling all candidate travel, scheduling interviews, overseeing all expenses and client reports while using discretion and confidentiality.
After taking a few years off from working professionally to be at home with her children, she joins Ellis Kirk Group as a researcher.
Susan studied Business Management at the University of Texas at Arlington. Outside of work she enjoys traveling, cooking, hanging out with friends and family, and exploring different cultures. She and her family live in a suburb of Dallas.