What Diversified Search Group does

DSG Global (formerly Diversified Search Group) is a Philadelphia-headquartered, privately-held executive search and leadership advisory firm founded in 1975 by Judith M. von Seldeneck and now in its second generation of family leadership. The firm operates four core service lines: Executive Search, Consulting, Convening, and Board and Governance Advisory, and is organized around a Corporate practice that serves Fortune 500, mid-market, and private equity-backed clients across 12 industry verticals and 8 functional specializations (Board Directors, CEOs/Presidents, Corporate Affairs, Technology/AI/Data Officers, Financial Officers, Fundraising, HR, and Legal/Risk/Compliance). Specialty sub-brands are retained as wholly-owned subsidiaries: Koya Partners (nonprofit and social impact, 20+ years), Storbeck (education), Grant Cooper (healthcare, 60+ years), and BioQuest (life sciences).

The business model is professional services engagement-based, with bespoke executive search fees determined per assignment by scope, role seniority, and complexity, typically structured as multi-year contracts. The underlying technology is modest: a Talent Network Portal for candidate profile submission and engagement, supplemented by the firm's market intelligence and consulting practice. Distribution is direct enterprise sales through the Corporate practice and the specialty sub-brands, extended globally through membership in the Alto Partners executive search network and the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC).

Recent strategic activity signals platform buildout rather than core market change: two acquisitions in 2022-2023 (Alta Associates in cybersecurity leadership search, Yardstick Management in management consulting), a 2024 rebrand to DSG Global consolidating the brand family, and a series of senior hires including Managing Directors and newly-defined C-suite roles (Chief Operating Officer, Chief People Officer). The firm has been recognized as the #8 largest executive search firm by Modern Healthcare in 2025, has AESC membership since at least 2023, and operates with 101-250 employees under independent private ownership with no disclosed institutional investor involvement.

Name

Diversified Search Group

Legal name

DSG Global, LLC

Website

https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Diversified Search Group (now DSG Global) is a Philadelphia-based executive search and leadership advisory firm founded in 1975, serving Fortune 500, mid-market, and PE-backed clients across 12 industry verticals through a Corporate practice and specialty sub-brands including Koya Partners, Storbeck, Grant Cooper, and BioQuest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Search Services

NAICS

Executive Search Services (561312)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Confidential/Replacement & Succession Search (BPACAAAK), Healthcare & Life Sciences Leadership Search (BPACAAAE), Financial Services Leadership Search (Banking/Insurance/PE/Asset Mgmt) (BPACAAAF)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Leadership recruitment
• Board advisory services
• Talent acquisition
• Executive consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Executive Search Services: Bespoke executive search engagements placing C-suite, board, and senior executive leaders across industries. The firm operates on a project/engagement basis with customized search strategies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Diversified Search Group (DSG Global) is an executive search and consulting firm that places C-suite, board, and senior executive leaders through bespoke, engagement-based searches. It complements search with consulting, convening, and board and governance advisory services, and operates specialty sub-brands (Koya Partners, Storbeck, Grant Cooper, BioQuest) serving nonprofit, education, healthcare, and life sciences verticals.

Product overview

DSG Global operates a multi-service platform centered on executive search and consulting, organized around four core service lines (Executive Search, Consulting, Convening, and Board and Governance Advisory) supported by a family of specialized sub-brands. The Executive Search service serves Fortune 500, mid-market, and private equity-backed companies through a corporate practice, while the brand portfolio includes Koya Partners (Nonprofit & Social Impact), Storbeck (Education), and Grant Cooper (Healthcare). The firm covers twelve industry specializations including Technology AI & Cybersecurity, Life Sciences, Financial Services, Healthcare, Consumer, Industrial & Energy, Insurance, Aviation/Logistics/Transportation, Media/Entertainment/Sports, Education, Nonprofit/Social Impact, and Private Capital, along with eight functional specializations covering C-suite, board, and senior functional roles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Koya Partners: Nonprofit & Social Impact executive search practice placing transformational leaders, operating under DSG umbrella for 20 years
• Storbeck
• Grant Cooper
• BioQuest

Products and services

• Executive Search Bespoke, results-driven executive search service with market intelligence and insights; develops tailored search strategies to place C-suite, board, and senior executive leaders across sectors, industries, and functional roles for Fortune 500, mid-market, and PE-backed clients.
• Consulting

Quantifiable outcome

• Served Fortune 500, mid-market, and private equity-backed companies
• +2 more outcomes

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Alto PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDSG Global is affiliated with Alto Partners, a global executive search network. Alto Partners is described as providing global reach across the Americas and beyond, with member firms collaborating to serve clients with multinational executive search needs. This alliance enables DSG to offer clients access to a broader network of executive search professionals and resources across different geographies.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Boyden: Global executive search firm with a partnership model and broad industry coverage including nonprofit, life sciences, and industrial sectors. Direct competitor to DSG in mid-market and cross-border mandates.
• Caldwell Partners: North American executive search firm publicly traded, with practices across technology, industrial, healthcare, and financial services. Comparable mid-market positioning and direct overlap with DSG verticals.
• DHR Global: Privately held global executive search firm with strong functional practices (CFO, CIO, HR) and PE/portfolio company coverage. Closely comparable to DSG in mid-market and PE-backed mandates.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm publicly traded, with strong presence in financial services, technology, and healthcare. Direct overlap with DSG's vertical and functional practices.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Global executive search firm focused on board, CEO, and senior leadership across industries, with strong technology and financial services practices. Competes head-to-head with DSG on Fortune 500 mandates.
• Egon Zehnder: Privately held global executive search and leadership advisory firm known for board and CEO work. Direct competitor in senior-level executive search across multiple verticals.
• Spencer Stuart: One of the world's largest privately held executive search firms, with deep board and CEO practice coverage across industries. Direct competitor to DSG in C-suite, board, and functional officer placements for Fortune 500 clients.
• Odgers Berndtson: Global executive search firm headquartered in the UK with significant North American presence, serving board and senior leadership mandates. Comparable to DSG in international reach and senior-level focus.

Emerging players

• Christian & Timbers: Boutique executive search firm focused on board, CEO, and technology leadership placements. Smaller scale than DSG but competes in tech and digital transformation mandates.

Broad incumbents

• Korn Ferry: Largest publicly traded executive search and organizational consulting firm, with adjacent services in RPO, assessment, and consulting. Competes with DSG across search mandates and increasingly on integrated human-capital engagements.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DivSearch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/diversifiedsearchgroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Diversified Search Group