The Steele Team

Paula Kazarosian

Paula graduated from Phillips Andover Academy in 1976 and then went on to the University of Massachusetts for a B.A. degree in History. After graduating in 1980 she moved to New York to pursue a career in fashion and advertising. She returned to Boston in 1985 and joined an executive search and recruiting agency. By 1991 Paula had moved into the role of Vice President of Bio Pharmaceutical recruiting and had achieved number one recruiter in the national network . She continued to help to hire, train and build the team at the Boston office while consistently remaining among the top 3% of consultants nationwide.

In 2001 she and her husband, John Steele, with their two sons moved to Maine having purchased a 685 acre horse farm and established the office of Steele Executive Search.

The pictures in the site banner, taken from mountains in Maine and from the top of Kilimanjaro, are a celebration of the beauty of the untamed. In 2006 Paula was able to achieve two important goals in her life; to reach out to those in real need and to reach the top of one of the ten highest peaks in the world. With a group of eleven climbers from across the country Paula was one of the four who actually reached the 19,384 foot peak of Africa’s Kilimanjaro and while doing so raised (thank you to all who helped) thousands of dollars for HealthCare Ministries, an Assemblies of God outreach program.

With 27 years of experience in recruiting, and a personal drive to accomplish goals, Paula remains the top in her field with a growing reputation for having the most forthright information and honest assessment of both candidates and companies. Her mentorship ensures that any employee of Steele Executive Search will continue to treat their candidates and clients with the high level of integrity and performance which is the hallmark of Paula’s reputation.

Connie Johnson Hambley

Connie Hambley has over 25 years of business experience in finance, law and entrepreneurial enterprises. Connie’s entry into the biotech world began when she researched and wrote an article for BusinessWeek.com entitled “The Search for Angiogenesis Therapy”. The physicians and scientists she met through that article piqued her interest in the business of drug discovery and bringing those therapies to market. Connie is always interested in what is new and emerging. Her relationships within biotech have connected her with inventors and investors of sustainable energy and Clean Tech.  Her focus on the dynamics and needs of the Clean Tech industry can be found in a subsequent BusinessWeek.com article “Why Clean Tech is taking Biotech’s Shine” and the accompanying slide show “From Biotech to Clean Tech”. Most recently, Connie's consistent access to industry leaders gave her insights into the surprising growth areas in today's economy. Read her article in MassHighTech entitled "Recession, Stimulus Bill Open New Doors for CROs". Connie is committed to bringing quality scientific, business development, financial and legal talent to her client companies.

Connie has experience on both sides of the business startup area. As Chief Operating Officer of a New York based children’s furnishings company and as president and founder of her own company, Connie has worked extensively in the venture capital and angel funding networks writing business plans and presenting businesses to the venture capital community. She now uses those connections to help emerging companies secure the best possible talent because she understands the full spectrum of pressures of making entrepreneurial dreams into reality.

Additional business experience includes being a Vice President for a major Boston bank, Shawmut Bank where she managed cash flow, daily investment position and portfolios of corporations. Her legal experience includes Fidelity Investments, also of Boston, where she worked closely with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the management of mutual funds. She maintains her accreditation as a Certified Cash Manager.

Early in her career she was a co-director and general partner of a talent and advertising firm where she created targeted ad campaigns giving her experience in all advertising mediums. Connie has also been an adjunct professor of finance at the F.W. Olin School of Business at Babson College pioneering graduate level courses in treasury management in conjunction with the Treasury Management Association.

She received her Juris Doctorate from Vermont Law School. Connie is an avid skier and loves horseback riding and scuba diving. One scuba diving adventure to Belize is featured in Outside Magazine and a unique and successful working arrangement was featured in a book, “Momprenuers (R) Online” by Patricia Cobe and Ellen H. Parlapiano. Perigee Books.

Connie lives in the Boston area with her husband and three children.

Nancy Blodgett

Nancy joined Steele Executive Search in July 2008. Nancy previously worked in a legal office for twelve years as a legal secretary and office manager. She brings a wide range of skills to her position. She is currently supporting the office as the Administrative Assistant and is an asset to the successful running of the office details. Nancy lives in Carthage with her husband and adopted son.