This month, we’re excited to shine the spotlight on Ellie LaFaountain, Client Partner at Pacific International Executive Search. Ellie joined the business during the COVID pandemic and has since become a vital part of our team. Over the past five years, she has worked on more than 130 high-profile, strategically important search mandates, successfully placing senior-level leaders across three continents. Two years ago, Ellie relocated from Philadelphia, PA, where our US office is, to London, UK, where she continues to build strong client relationships and deliver exceptional results. Her career journey is an excellent example of resilience, adaptability, and the opportunities that come with being part of Pacific International.
Let’s start with the quickfire questions:
Coffee or tea? If I had to choose one forever, it’d be tea because I love a Chai latte. But I have coffee and I have tea almost every day.
Early bird or night owl? I’m actually just in the middle. I like the daytime. I’m a day person.
Lying by the pool or going on forest hikes? I always choose lakes because they usually have mountains. So I guess my choice is hikes by the lake.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be? It’s a tricky question because I’ve been fortunate to live in a few different places. I would love to revisit Australia. Since moving to Europe, though, my favourite place and somewhere I could really see myself living is Switzerland, but I am happy in London for now.
Your go-to productivity hack? My productivity hack is saying things out loud to myself and to others to help me stay accountable. If I say I’m going to do something, I’ll do it. Speaking it out loud and committing to it helps me stay focused and productive.
One London spot you’d recommend to colleagues visiting? I love all the quarterly office walks we’ve been on so far, but one of my favourite places in London is Hampstead Heath. I’d definitely recommend visiting it.
If you weren’t in executive search, what career would you see yourself in? It’s hard to say. Since gymnastics is still such a big part of my life, I could definitely see myself doing something related to sports, especially gymnastics, though maybe involving other sports as well. When I was growing up, I actually thought I’d be a journalist or a sports reporter because I’ve always loved asking people questions and sports in general.
Favorite way to unwind after work? I do a bit of CrossFit, so I’ll either work out, go for a run or walk, or meet up with friends. I like being outside after work whenever I can.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever received? I think the biggest thing I’ve learned over the years is the value of being open and transparent. Whether it’s at Pacific, in gymnastics, or with family and friends, I’ve found that honesty helps set clear expectations and builds stronger relationships. People know what they’re getting with me, and that’s something I’m proud of.
There’s also a quote that has always stuck with me. At the gymnastics gym where I trained growing up, there was a sign on the wall that said, “Can’t is a reason to work harder, not an excuse to give up.” I still think about that whenever I’m struggling with something, whether it’s work-related or personal. It reminds me to push harder and look for new ways to make things happen.
There is also a passage that has had a lasting influence on me. In high school, one of my English teachers used to read a piece called “Desiderata” every day, and I still have those words displayed in my home. It is all about how to carry yourself and live your life, reminding you not to compare yourself to others, to listen, and to act with kindness and integrity. Those principles have always stayed with me and continue to guide how I approach work and life. It ends with the quote “Strive to be happy,” a simple reminder that carries a lot of meaning for me.
One thing your colleagues might be surprised to learn about you? I am pretty much an open book, so I don’t think there is much people don’t already know about me. One thing they are often surprised to learn is how I grew up with gymnastics, competed through college, and can still do some of the things I used to.
Other than that, I do not think there are many surprises. If anyone is ever curious about something, they can ask.
Margaret Jaouadi
Executive search isn’t a career most young people dream of, but with the right mindset, it can offer incredible opportunities for learning, growth, and global experience. You are a perfect example of that. The way you conduct yourself, the high standards you set, and how you inspire the team around you to succeed and keep learning truly stand out.
You have also evolved so much, moving from the US, taking a leap of faith, coming to London, and starting fresh. That journey is inspiring, and I wanted people to hear the story behind it.
I also hope it encourages others to be brave, to follow their ambitions, and to take chances. You have shown how powerful it is to be bold, to voice your goals, and to work toward them with the right people supporting you along the way. That courage and openness are essential for both personal and professional growth, and they perfectly reflect what is possible in a career like executive search.
Let’s start at the beginning. What first drew you to Pacific, and what has inspired you to stay for five years?
Ellie LaFountain
I graduated from university in 2020, when the world was in a completely different place. Before graduating, I had imagined I would move anywhere in the US. I was open to living somewhere new.
Then the pandemic hit, and everything changed. I realised life and cities were not the same, and Philadelphia felt like a city with some connections, but it would still be a significant change from Maine, where I am from.
What drew me to Pacific was its global nature. In my senior year, I studied abroad in Dublin in the fall of 2019 and interned with the Screen Directors Guild of Ireland. That was my first exposure to a workplace in a different country, and it opened my eyes to international business culture. Before that, I interned on the talent acquisition team at MaineHealth, which was my first introduction to recruitment.
The experience in Dublin, combined with my interest in talent acquisition, made Pacific stand out to me as an organisation that brought those two elements together. During the interview process, I spoke with people in the US and in London, which gave me a first-hand sense of the company’s global reach. I remember thinking how exciting it was to be interviewing with someone in London.
That global connection is what initially drew me to Pacific.
As for what has inspired me to stay, there are a few key things. The biggest is the people I work with and the relationships I have built in the US, the UK, and Germany. Those relationships have remained constant throughout my time here.
Another primary reason is the development opportunities I have had. After my first full year at Pacific, I raised the idea of moving to another office. I had always known that was something I wanted to do, but I wanted to prove first that I was serious about my role, the organisation, and my career path.
What has kept me here is that I have worked hard and been recognised for it; that combination of challenge, growth, and support is what has inspired me to stay for five years.
Margaret Jaouadi
You joined during the pandemic. How did that timing influence your experience and growth at the company?
Ellie LaFountain
It was definitely a unique experience. Looking back now, this has been my role and my company since graduating, so I do not have much to compare it to personally. But I can see how different my journey has been compared to what many of my friends and peers experienced over the past five years.
When I joined Pacific’s Philadelphia team in August 2020, almost no one I knew was working in person, but our team safely showed up together every day.
For me, being the newest member of the team, it was incredibly valuable to be surrounded by a close-knit team. I could listen to client and candidate conversations, observe how my colleagues approached their work, and take in all the advice they shared. It helped me understand what success looked like and gave me a clear sense of where I could get to if I followed their example.
That environment also made me more accountable. I cared deeply about the quality of my work because I knew my name was attached to every search. Seeing how my colleagues operated and the standards they held themselves to made me want to meet and exceed that same level.
As I mentioned before, I had always hoped for the opportunity to move internationally one day, and watching Kat make that move from the office showed me what was possible. I thought that if I worked as hard as she has, I might be able to achieve something similar.
Having that visibility and close connection from the very beginning was incredibly helpful. It gave me a clear picture of what was possible and motivated me to reach for it.
Margaret Jaouadi
Tell us why you chose London, what the most significant adjustment was when moving to Europe, and how that experience has impacted your career.
Ellie LaFountain
So, why London? Mainly because I am an English speaker, the idea of moving to a non-English-speaking country felt a bit too daunting at the time.
Over the three years before I moved, I had the chance to visit the London office a few times, meet the team, and get to know people during trips or when they visited our Philadelphia office. I already had a strong connection with many people in London, and I always enjoyed my time there. It is also where our CEO, David Howells, is based, which made the opportunity even more exciting.
London is such a fantastic city, and it just felt like the right next step. I had also seen two people move from the London office to Philadelphia. After speaking with them about their experiences and hearing their advice, I felt even more confident that London was the place for me.
However, it was not just about London itself. I had reached a point where I was ready for a new challenge and a change of environment. I loved my time in Philadelphia, but after seven years in Pennsylvania, I knew I wanted to live somewhere new. Whether that would have been London, Germany, or somewhere else in the US, I was ready to take that next step. I am so glad it turned out to be London!
When it comes to adjustments, there was definitely some culture shock, even though I had studied abroad and travelled before. However, I saw this coming and managed the change. I also received loads of advice from candidates and clients I worked with, as many of them had relocated or held expat positions.
That experience taught me a lot, and I would love to help support others who make a similar move.
Professionally, the impact has been immense. London is such a diverse city, and Europe as a whole brings an incredible mix of cultures, perspectives, and experiences. While there is diversity in the US, it is very different from what I have experienced here. Every day I learn something new from my colleagues in the London office and from the people I work with across Europe.
Being exposed to so many different backgrounds has really broadened my understanding and strengthened my ability to connect with people — both personally and professionally.
Margaret Jaouadi
What part of your role as a Client Partner excites you the most in your day-to-day work?
Ellie LaFountain
Great question. I think what excites me most can change from day to day, which is one of the best things about being a Client Partner; never a dull moment.
I speak with candidates every day, and that will always be one of the parts I enjoy the most. I love talking to people at different stages of their careers, learning what drives them, what they are looking for, and, hopefully, finding a match with one of our clients. The candidate side of the role and those personal interactions are something I will always really value.
When you move into a Client Partner position, your focus naturally shifts toward clients as well. Some of my favourite parts of the job are meeting with clients, discussing current projects, and looking ahead to the future, understanding their strategies, business goals, and challenges. I enjoy building relationships with clients and seeing how those partnerships evolve.
It is rewarding to look back and see how an initial search in one area can grow into a much deeper relationship as we deliver quality work and continue to help them bring the right people into their business.
I also love visiting clients in person. Meeting face to face always feels more meaningful than connecting over a Teams call, and it is even better when those visits take me to new parts of the world.
Margaret Jaouadi
What are your goals for the future, and what are you most excited about in the coming years?
Ellie LaFountain
Looking ahead, there is a lot to be excited about. The world continues to change, and at Pacific, we have always been very agile, something our colleagues and clients know well.
I am excited about the future because many positive changes are happening within the team. In addition to project leadership, some of us are transitioning to people leadership, an exciting step for me and others in the business. We are also growing, with several great new starters joining recently. Mentoring and watching them develop and progress is very gratifying.
Regarding my goals, I look forward to taking on more management responsibilities and continuing to develop as a leader. I also want to continue building relationships with my clients, particularly in the industrial, chemical, and broader manufacturing sectors. Seeing the success and growth of the people who have joined those businesses is one of the most satisfying parts of my work, and I look forward to continuing to support them.
As we approach the end of the year, things are looking very positive, and I am optimistic about 2026. I am excited to see our recent placements succeed in their new roles and to continue helping clients achieve their goals.
And on a more personal note, I am really looking forward to our annual Christmas party, which is always a highlight and a great chance to reconnect with colleagues we do not see every day. I will also be travelling to the US office at the end of this month, which will be an excellent way to continue strengthening those cross-office connections and see the team I work with every day.
Margaret Jaouadi
Is there something you would like to add as a closing thought?
Ellie LaFountain
If there is one takeaway from this conversation, it is to ask for what you need, believe in your goals, and work hard to make them happen. That mindset has guided me both personally and professionally.
As a growing business with big ambitions, we are always on the lookout for exceptional people with diverse industry experiences to join our team. To learn more about career opportunities at Pacific International, please visit our Careers page.