Kathleen Avery
Partner, Palo Alto, CA
Kathleen began her career at a boutique search firm specializing in IT professionals for the financial services sector. From here she co-founded her first company, a technical consulting firm, when she was 23. She was also a founding member of NACCB (now Tech Serve Alliance), a collaboration of IT services firms, clients and consultants advancing best practices within the industry. After the sale of this firm, Kathleen founded The Avery Group, an executive search firm providing general management and senior level contributor search resources to emerging and fast-growing companies in the technology sector. She also launched a technology consulting division, which she grew to a staff of 160. This division was subsequently acquired by Metro Information Services (now Keane). Following this acquisition event, Kathleen leveraged her deep connections in Silicon Valley and became an angel investor.
Next, Kathleen turned her attention to another of her passions, the art world. Having been an avid collector of Modern works (1900-1960), with particular emphasis on the School of Paris, Kathleen became an art dealer, opening a gallery in Palo Alto, CA. She did most of her buying in Europe. With her staff, Kathleen created a sophisticated and elegant gallery with exceptional works to introduce clients to the School of Paris genre. She also developed a strong brand identity and distinguished her business as an important resource for the serious collector. She continues to see private clients interested in art of this period.
Kathleen has since returned to the executive search world, and is truly passionate about helping her clients grow amazing teams, from CxO, VP and Director-level positions to critical senior-level contributor talent. With the depth of understanding that comes from being a serial entrepreneur, and as a self-described start-up junkie, she is helping to build rock star teams for fascinating and “best of the best” client firms.
In her other life, Kathleen is mom to three teenagers. She is active in their school and sports activities, and is team parent for the PALY track team. She has a love/hate relationship with intense spin classes, and enjoys hiking in the hills
above Woodside
Kathleen is an alumna of Golden Gate University and the Academy of Art of San Francisco.
Contact Kathleen kavery@thepacheragroup.com