Pablo Perella-Berdun and Frank Knudsen to lead Kennedy into the post-Covid era

Kennedy Executive Search elects new president and vice president

The partners of Kennedy Executive Search, the global network of privately-owned executive search boutiques, have elected Pablo Perella-Berdun as their new President and Frank Knudsen as Vice President. The election is a consequence of the network’s Economic Interest Group (EIG) structure. In an EIG, all partners become equal stakeholders and together elect their leadership each year. The new presidency is effective January 1st. 

Pablo Perella-Berdun is managing partner of Talent Corporate Solutions, the Latin-American partner office of Kennedy Executive Search with offices in Miami, Sao Paulo, and Mexico City. Mr. Perella-Berdun is based in Miami and runs the daily operations in North America. Mr. Knudsen is managing partner at DNA Headhunting, Kennedy Executive’s partner office in Denmark. 

Perella-Berdun: “During the very challenging 2020, Kennedy Executive Search was uniquely positioned to deliver value for our clients. As a network of interconnected boutique firms, our partner’s attention to detail and confidentiality in both the client and the candidate experience clearly set us apart. We saw an acceleration of senior talent upgrade projects in support of organizational transformations (i.e. digital transformation, supply chain de-globalization) as well as in support of significant company restructuring (i.e. divestitures, M&A). We also experienced an increase in the demand for consulting related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion beyond the US and Europe. Therefore, in 2021, we will focus on reinforcing our network partners‘ capabilities with two new Practice Areas: Digital Transformation and Diversity and Equity Management. We are also very excited about the addition of newly selected partners in the UK, America, and Asia.  

Caroline Frisenberg, parting President: “It’s been an exhilarating ride leading Kennedy through 2020. The challenges that came with Covid-19 forced us to explore other areas and think more strategically as a network. As a result, we are working even closer, across borders and across continents than we did before. For this, I am very proud.  Kennedy is a dynamic network of great associates and partners. We offer exceptional customer value and service and are in an excellent position for both domestic and international growth. Pablo Perella has a proven track record of success in multiple areas of business development, sales, and marketing. Combined with his leadership credentials and significant international experience in executive search, I am very confident in Pablo's ability to lead Kennedy forward and wish him the best of luck!”  

Argentina-born Pablo Perella-Berdun is a seasoned business leader who started his career in Argentina with Santander Rio Bank and Alpargatas. He spent 20 years with Kimberly-Clark Corporation in Argentina, Brazil, and the US, in roles of increasing responsibility. Most recently, Pablo was President of Microban International, a global leader in antimicrobial and odor control innovation. He is also on the advisory board of Deep-Tech market accelerator Network Science AI.

He received his master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and completed executive management programs at Duke University, MIT, CEIBS, Wharton, and IESE.

Frank Knudsen had an impressive career in marketing before he entered the world of Executive Search in 2006. He was Marketing Director of McDonald’s and Marketing Manager for Kuwait Petroleum. After this, he was CEO for a knowledge management company and for a leading executive search firm. He joined DNA in 2011. Over the years, Knudsen has served a variety of Danish and international clients from a wide range of industries and sectors. He conducts C-level executive searches as well as recruited general manager roles in sales, marketing, finance, HR, and IT domestically and internationally. Further to this, he actively consults and coaches in career developments, assessments as well as integration programs for senior managers.  

Frank has an MSc. in Economics and Business Administration from Copenhagen Business School and also a Diploma in Business Administration from Copenhagen Business School.