Franziska Palumbo-Seidel
Partner | FinTech, Enterprise & Board Leadership
Founding Partner | C-Suite & Board Search
Franziska is the Founding Partner of Key Search and a leading C-level, N-1, and Board search specialist with 15 years of experience placing transformative leaders at Klarna, Shopify, N26, Miro, and Wise. Based in Switzerland, she personally bridges the operational and cultural gaps between European and US markets.
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Articles by Franziska Palumbo-Seidel
CTO Search: What Boards Get Wrong
Appointing the wrong CTO is one of the most expensive mistakes a growth company can make. Here is what we see boards get wrong, and how to avoid it.
Building a Talent Strategy for Private Equity Portfolio Companies
The first 100 days of a PE investment are critical. Here is how the best sponsors approach talent strategy from day one.
Women-Owned Startups Are a Better Bet: Here's Why
Contents The world of entrepreneurship is changing. Women-owned startups are making their mark in the business industry, launching innovative ventures in various fields such as technology, healthcare, finance, and more. These founders are creating companies that address real issues, generate employment opportunities, and contribute to economic development. You may have heard the story before: women […]
Beyond Headcount: The New Rules of Hiring for FinTech & Financial Services in the Age of AI
Introduction: A Paradigm Shift in Talent Acquisition Not long ago, the prevailing narrative in the business world, particularly within the tech sector, was one of hypergrowth. Success was often measured by a single, conspicuous metric: headcount. Soaring employee numbers were a badge of honor, a tangible sign of venture capital confidence and rapid market […]
The IPO Gender Gap: Why Pre-IPO Leadership Remains a Boys' Club and How Executive Search Can Fix It
Contents The journey to an Initial Public Offering (IPO) is a monumental milestone for any company. It signifies maturity, ambition, and the readiness to step onto the world's financial stage. Yet, as companies pull back the curtain for public scrutiny, recent data reveals a troubling and persistent imbalance in the leadership teams and boardrooms set […]
You should speak with Franziska if…
- 1You are a founder preparing to step back from day-to-day operations and need a CEO or COO who can carry the mission forward.
- 2You are a board or investor looking to professionalise the leadership team ahead of an IPO, funding round, or exit.
- 3You need a C-Level or Board hire with international pedigree across Europe and the US, delivered with Swiss precision.
- 4You value a long-term search partner who will challenge you throughout - not just deliver a shortlist.