Star Wards, Inc. is a unique firm with a unique premise:
- Our Founding Partner has worked directly for a top-tier investment group across every investment in their growing portfolio
- We know an investment portfolio’s needs
- We know the sophisticated candidates who will work well in this demanding environment
Star Wards, Inc., is in a saturated market – recruiting – but we bring knowledge of the investor space, a background in law and technology and an unparalleled history of search success.
Here are some tangible results: One client did some research and discovered an 80-20 rule amongst their executive hires – only 20% of outside hires survived over the long run, while 80% of referral hires kept their positions long-term. After hiring us to fill their executive roles, their executive hires had a 95%+ long-term survival rate. It happened because we began searches with our Concentric Circles™, we presented the candidate information in a way that allowed them time during interviews to really get to know our client, and then we built the relationship ourselves with our candidates to ensure they stayed for the long-term.
Our Professional Team
Leonard Ward
Founder
Leonard Ward founded Star Wards in 2016 to bring a new approach to executive search. He has spent almost two decades serving top-shelf private equity clients in hundreds of searches spanning five continents. Prior to founding Star Wards, Leonard was recruited into Vista Equity Partners in 2012 as one of the first employees of the newly-created Vista Consulting Group (VCG). During his time with Vista, Leonard established executive recruiting that served the entire portfolio, VCG, and Vista itself. Not only are his placements located throughout Vista’s current and former portfolio, but they continue to take on further assignments within Vista’s ecosystem as they progress through their careers. Prior to Vista, Leonard was a Co-Founder at Bespoke Partners, a search firm in San Diego. Prior to founding Bespoke, Leonard was a Recruiting Consultant at Lancer Group.
Leonard is a veteran of the US Air Force, where he spent six years as a Cryptologic Linguist. He holds a Bachelor’s in Information Systems from BYU-Hawaii, and a JD/MBA from the University of San Diego. Leonard lives in San Diego with his wife, Jessica, and their six children.
- What he wants to be when he grows up: A better cook
- Favorite place traveled: Israel
- Top Bucket List travel spot: Antarctica
- Dogs or cats? Definitely cats.
Amy Argyle
Senior Recruiting Consultant
Amy is the lead research consultant at Star Wards. She has led research on executive roles for top-shelf, public and private technology companies in Product Management, Product Development, Sales, and Human Resources. She has also worked on searches for private equity operating directors.
After growing up in the Seattle area, she attended Brigham Young University where she met her husband, Quinn. They have moved all over the country during their marriage from Wyoming to Florida to California. When she isn’t doing work for Star Wards, Amy is shuttling her four children around, reading a book, or catching up on her favorite shows.
- What you want to be when you grow up: a fun grandma 😊
- Favorite place traveled: The UK
- Top Bucket List travel spot: Scandinavia
- Dogs or cats? Dogs
Norah Jiang
Recruiting Consultant
Norah Jiang has been a Research Consultant for several years at Star Wards. She has been working on critical sales projects, from Chief Revenue Officer down to front-line sales reps, for private equity-backed software clients around the country.
Before Star Wards, Norah worked in electronics sales in China. She is fluent in Mandarin and English. Norah holds a BA in Business/Corporate Communications from Nanjing Normal University.
- What you want to be when you grow up : A normal person
- Favorite place traveled: Bali
- Top Bucket List travel spot: Everywhere
- Dogs or cats? Cats
Tazbaa Tano
Recruiting Consultant
Tazbaa Tano is a Research Consultant for Star Wards. She has been working on critical sales projects for software clients around the country with $1B+ in revenue.
Before Star Wards, worked in the apparel industry and for non-profit agencies. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management with an emphasis in finance from Brigham Young University.
- What you want to be when you grow up: Happy & healthy!
- Favorite place traveled: Hawaii
- Top Bucket List travel spot: New Zealand
- Dogs or cats? Dogs
Ben Riddle
Senior Recruiting Consultant
Ben Riddle is our senior researcher. He manages the research efforts of all of Star Wards’ research consultants. His projects run the gamut from junior to the most senior roles, with all levels of complexity. Prior to Star Wards, Ben served as a life insurance agent, first learning the trade with one of the best-known insurance companies in the country, and then as an early employee with Health IQ where he helped the company establish best practices in its sales efforts.
Before his work in insurance, Ben managed the team of Leads with EDS’ management of the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet in San Diego. He also worked as a financial advisor for seven years and holds Series 7, 24, 63, 65 and 66 licenses. Ben holds a Bachelors Degree in Aviation with an emphasis as a Professional Pilot from Utah Valley University. He is a commercial multi-engine-rated pilot with instrument rating and complex aircraft endorsement. He and his wife, Joie, have raised six beautiful children during their 23 years of marriage.
- What Ben wants to be when he grows up: a philanthropist
- Favorite place traveled: Cabo
- Top Bucket List travel spot: Sint Maarten
- Dogs or cats? He just can’t choose
Shauna Durfee
Recruiting Consultant
Shauna Durfee is a Research Consultant for Star Wards. She has been working on critical, highly-technical projects for technology clients around the country. Before her work with Star Wards, Shauna had several roles in administrative support. She holds a Bachelor’s in Communications with minors in English and Political Science from Cal State-Fullerton. She and her husband, AJ, raise their four delightful sons.
- What she wants to be when she grows up: --
- Favorite place traveled: Dublin or Paris
- Top Bucket List travel spot: Dubai or Fiji
- Dogs or cats? Definitely dogs.
Aubree Perez
Recruiting Consultant
Aubree Perez is a Recruiting Consultant for Star Wards. She has worked on sales, product and customer success roles for private equity-backed software and technology companies around the country.
Before her work with Star Wards, Aubree received her Bachelor's of Science with a Health Promotion emphasis, and worked in the PT field. You can usually find her at the beach running after her two sons.
- What you want to be when you grow up: An Athlete
- Favorite place traveled: Roatan, Honduras
- Top Bucket List travel spot: Portugal
- Dogs or cats? Dogs
Leticia Engert
Recruiting Consultant
Leticia Engert is a front-line researcher for Star Wards projects. She has worked on roles from Director through CEO, for technology clients around the country. She also assists in business development initiatives with top-tier private equity groups nationwide.
Leticia is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Nursing.
- What she wants to be when she grows up: Psychiatric Nurse
- Favorite place traveled: Thailand
- Top Bucket List travel spot: No favorite. She wants to go everywhere!
- Dogs or cats? Almost can’t choose, but dogs tip the balance.
Eric Sprouse
Recruiting Consultant
Eric Sprouse is a front-line researcher for Star Wards projects. He has worked on roles from Director through CEO, for technology clients around the country. He also assists in business development initiatives with top-tier private equity groups nationwide.
Eric is currently wrapping up his Bachelor’s in Physics.
- What he wants to be when he grows up: Astronaut
- Favorite place traveled: Shanghai
- Top Bucket List travel spot: Samoa or Madagascar
- Dogs or cats? Dogs
