Katie Kristy is a Managing Director at BarkerGilmore and a go-to executive search partner for legal and compliance leaders across the country. Known for her energy, precision, and unmatched network, she has earned a reputation for delivering top-tier talent and a seamless, high-touch search experience. Katie advises organizations at every stage of growth, from venture-backed startups and PE-backed hyper-growth companies to Fortune 500 global enterprises. Her cross-industry search experience spans healthcare, life sciences, consumer goods, manufacturing, aerospace and defense, insurance, and technology, giving her a broad and versatile perspective on the leadership needs of today’s most dynamic companies.

Candidates often describe working with Katie as refreshingly honest, respectful, and human. She views every interaction as a direct reflection of her clients, which is why she treats every candidate in a search with the same transparency, care, and professionalism, regardless of outcome. Katie never forces a match or tries to “fit a square peg into a round hole.” Instead, she immerses herself in her client’s business and culture well before a search goes to market, ensuring she understands not only the technical requirements of the role but also the personality, leadership style, and cultural attributes that will make someone thrive. Her approach centers on creating mutually beneficial connections where both the client and the candidate feel confident, energized, and aligned. This commitment to integrity and long-term partnership is a major reason candidates trust her, and clients return to her again and again.

Katie earned her B.A. in Finance and Spanish from the Smeal College of Business at Pennsylvania State University.

Executive Search

Katie is highly sought after for her ability to quickly understand a business, pinpoint what “great” looks like, and consistently produce shortlists that exceed expectations. She has successfully placed executives into mission-critical roles including General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, Deputy and Assistant GCs, and a wide range of strategic legal and compliance leadership positions. Clients rely on her judgment, discretion, market intelligence, and relentless commitment to delivering results. She is known for her consistent accessibility to clients and candidates, sustaining search momentum and ensuring leadership has clear insight at every stage.

Before joining BarkerGilmore, Katie drove large-scale revenue growth and operational optimization as a senior inventory planning manager for a Fortune 500 global retailer. This business foundation sharpened her analytical instincts, strengthened her executive presence, and gives her a unique understanding of how transformative the right talent can be for an organization.

Healthcare & Life Sciences, Technology, Consumer