Folkert Reck

Retired from Novartis

I found a position through Paula. She took great are to find a good fit not only for my qualifications but also for my personality. Throughout the process, Paula was very knowledgeable, always responding very quickly and with insight to my questions and providing helpful

John Hey

CSO Alzeon

Paula is a highly effective and accomplished search professional. She is very responsive, consistent and reliable in all of professional dealings with both candidates and hiring executives. Her excellent communication skills, capabilities and knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry will be a strong asset to those

Jennifer Petter

Arrakis Therapeutics, Founder/ CSO

Paula possesses a remarkable depth of knowledge about scientists and executives in the pharmaceutical industry in general and chemistry research in particular. She has always been communicative and candid, showing great insight about candidates and the positions for which they might be appropriate. I have

Burton Christensen

(Passed on July 18th 2023)

I was honored to have worked with him and cherish this recommendation he wrote for me and so I continue to add it both as a reminder of the great scientist/person he was and how much I miss his wisdom. “Paula and I have worked

Christopher Cooper

Senior Director Chemistry at TB Alliance

I entrust Paula with any/all biopharmaceutical executive search opportunities on the East coast. She is extremely well-informed in regard to both candidate capabilities, backgrounds, and position placement requirements. When she has not been able to assist in recruitment activities, she has also willingly directed me

Dennis Hu

CEO and Editor in Chief of Drughunter

Paula’s network in the industry is truly incredible. She knows virtually everyone on a first-name basis and maintains relationships with industry leaders. She is thoughtful about both the candidates that she represents and the companies that she works with, and is direct and transparent to

Tudor Oprea

CEO Expert Systems Inc

Paula Kazarosian is the Sherlock Holmes of Executive Search in the biopharmaceutical world – if there’s something matching your profile, she will find it. Her people skills are top-notch, and her network is greater than the World Wide Web! As you stand at your career

Julian Adams

Former CSO, Consultant

My first interaction with Paula was in 1994 when she introduced me to Myogenics which became Leukosite shortly after I joined. She was, and still is very persuasive in a logical, common sense manner. I respect her views and intuition and I highly recommend her

Stanley Prusiner

Nobel Laureate Director Institute for Degenerative Diseases

I am delighted to encourage any company to speak with Paula about their difficult-to-fill positions. This is Paula’s specialty! I have never been disappointed when I have entrusted her with my hiring needs.

Scott Biller

Executive Venture Partner, Google Ventures

Over the last 25 years, Paula has been my go-to recruiter for a number of critical senior hires, both at Novartis and at Agios. She is superb at defining the critical features that match potential candidates to the role and can rapidly hone in on

Lew Pennington

Scientific Director at Drughunter

Having worked with Paula for several years, I have found that she has an amazing ability to match the right candidate with the right position at the right company. Her keen insights into the needs and cultures of her clients and the depth and breadth

Roy Vaz

former Head of Structural Biology, Sanofi.

I have known and worked with Paula for more than 20 years. She is someone I have introduced my colleagues to whenever they needed a job or to find talented people. She always delivers. I could trust her to answer the difficult questions honestly and

John Macor

CSO Sionna

I have known Paula for at least twenty years, and I am amazed how well connected and “in touch” she is with the pharma and biotech industry. She seems to know and be known by all of my colleagues at a wide array of companies.

Paul Barsanti

CTO Ideaya

It has been a distinct pleasure working with Paula the past 10 years. Her ability to effectively communicate both the role and the opportunity as well as the company philosophy along with her exceptional networking skills has been instrumental in identifying key talent for several

Ben Amorelli

Director of Synthetic Chemistry at OSMO

Paula is a headhunter, but beyond that I quickly came to appreciate that she’s a mediator and a coach. Life coach, executive coach, I’m sure both. She’s open, honest, professional, and refreshing. In general, I’m sure most considering a career pivot loathe the process, anticipating

Paul Gibbons

Director of computational chemistry

I have reached out to Paula several times during my 25 years in the industry when looking for new and exciting opportunities. She is responsive and quick to connect you to a position that is a good match and she never leaves out key details.

Sushmita Lahiri

AVP, Global Project head Sanofi

I’ve known Paula for quite some time now, and she undoubtedly stands out as one of the most exceptional recruiters I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. What truly distinguishes her is her remarkable ability to prioritize her clients, creating a genuine sense of

Monica Gidwani

Dir Talent Acquisition -Cellarity

We have worked with Paula several times over the past year to fill some key roles here at Cellarity…and to sum it up…she delivers!  She has by far one of the most incredible networks within the industry which is a testament to her strength in

Laura Akullian D’Agostino

VP Chemistry -Dunad

Paula is extremely committed, knowledgeable and well connected. She is a preferred partner for filling critical positions with top talent. Even more important is that she brings a human element to recruiting that would be difficult to replicate.

Harry Chobanian

Senior Director, Medicinal Chemistry, Rome Therapeutics

My experience working with Paula was an absolute pleasure. Paula was able to effectively help me seek out opportunities and match my skill set with a position I have thoroughly enjoyed. Her professionalism is unmatched. Highly recommend working with Paula.

Peter Toogood

Ph.D. ~ Director, Michigan Drug Discovery

It was a distinct pleasure to work with Paula. Her attention to detail and responsiveness to our particular needs were exemplary. Paula provided us with a roster of highly excellent and qualified candidates for the position we were seeking to fill. I would not hesitate

Michael G. Palfreyman

Ph.D., DSc ~ Palfreyman BioPharm Advisors, Inc.

I have known and worked with Paula over many years. Her wise advice, attention to detail and amazing ability to find the right candidate for the right job has encouraged me to go back to her on multiple occasions. I totally trust her judgment of

Ruben Tommasi

CSO Dunad Therapeutics

I have worked with Paula on several challenging searches and she has always delivered by identifying key talented individuals that would make a perfect fit. Her diligence in thoroughly understanding the role that we’re trying to fill and the important features that we’re looking for

Jeff Kiplinger

President/CEO – Averica Discovery Services, Inc

Paula is among the best I’ve seen at the aspects of recruiting that matter most to me – understanding my need, finding the candidates that fit best, and gathering pertinent information that I can use to make a hiring decision. The best part of working

Jay George

Chief Scientific Officer – Trevigen

I have known Paula for over 30 years…and have given her “impossible” searches yet, within a matter of days she makes the impossible… possible finding highly skilled candidates for very unique positions. I am impressed that no matter the task she approaches them with the

Lucas Utley

Paula does what few recruiters make the effort to do. She takes the time to understand the fit between a candidate’s skills and personality vs. the company’s needs and culture. She wants the candidate and the client to be happy with each other. As a

Simon N. Pimstone, MD

Ph.D., FRCPC ~ President & CEO

Paula Kazarosian recently assisted Xenon in concluding a search for a new EVP, R&D. Apart from the outstanding outcome, Paula led this process superbly. Her honesty, flexibility, availability and access to talented senior managers made working with Paula uncomplicated and most enjoyable. I would highly

Christopher Cooper

Vice President Chemistry – TB Alliance

I have worked with Steele Executive Search on a number of new opportunities and I have consistently found Paula’s advice to be spot on the mark. She is always very friendly and helpful, even when her personal interest is not at stake. Not only is

Alita A. Miller

Ph.D. Associate Director, External Collaborations, Infection Innovative Medicines – AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals

I have Paula Kazarosian to thank for my recent move to a very exciting opportunity in the Strategy Infection group at AstraZeneca. In my experience, what sets Paula apart from other recruiters is her insistence on finding the best match on both a personal and

Julie Olson 

Former CEO Mersana

We are thrilled that Tim is now a part of the Mersana team…His extensive leadership in oncology research and his experience with polymer-based drug systems are an ideal match for Mersana. Paula’s process is unique but it works.

Kevin Chen

MBA ~ Chief Operating Officer

The help from Steele Executive Search in identifying key scientific and business leaders has been instrumental in our efforts to build a world class team, especially for a company such as ours that is located thousands of miles away in a different country. We have

David M. Armistead

I’ve known Paula for many years now and always have been impressed with her intuitive ability and dedication to quality and personal attention. She understands how to find the best and can be counted on to not only source the right candidate but to close

Michael Pavia

Entrepreneur-in-Residence

I’ve worked with Paula on both sides of the fence. She helped me to find my first Biotech position many years ago and I was so taken with her positive attitude and ability to honestly represent both points of view that I have continued to

Richard Heyman 

Serial Entrepreneur

…I have worked with Paula over the past 13 years during which time she greatly assisted us in finding very qualified scientists with expertise in both chemistry and biology. She was indispensable in identifying candidates ranging from Vice Presidents to Research Associates. While she is

Nicholas Terrett

former Scientific Associate Vice President, European Chemistry Lead Merck

Over the last few years I have found my interactions with Paula to be both professional and informative. She assisted me with my search for a new position that not only met my immediate career needs, but discussions with her also allowed a careful consideration

Mike Rowley

former Head of European Discovery Chemistry – Merck, Lucerne

Paula Kazarosian has been extremely helpful during the period I was looking for new opportunities. She was always available, interested, and really understood my needs and desires. Very importantly, she was also very open and direct, allowing me to honestly evaluate the choices available. All

Mr. Dan Giampuzzi

Former Chief Executive Officer & President

…I’ve used many search firms in the course of my career and when it comes to locating extraordinary scientific personnel I always go to Paula to fill those positions. She has a unique approach to people that presents our company well and at the same

Dan Marquess

Vice President of Chemistry

Paula provides a unique and unmatched depth and breadth of connections throughout the global pharmaceutical industry. She is highly respected and trusted which allows her to reach out to an impressive array of potential candidates and advisors. This enables her thorough evaluation of the compatibility

S. David Kimball

Chief Scientific Officer

I have known Paula Kazarosian for well over a decade and three different companies. I have always had great confidence in her ability to evaluate and present candidates, and to understand the essential aspects of the positions she is filling. Paula is very thorough in

Michael Varney

Senior Vice President – Small Molecule Drug Discovery Genentech

I have known Paula for over 15 years now and have always found her to be knowledgeable, honest, flexible, and insightful. She seems to know everyone in the industry and has worked successfully with a huge number of executives. She has a very good feel

Candidate Comment

…I don’t believe anyone that I have spoken with so far, which includes a growing list of pharma scientists, managers and recruiters, has cut to the point as effectively as you did, nor has anyone provided the level of detailed and insightful suggestions…

Sumudu Leelananda

Ph.D. Computational Chemist

I first worked with Paula when she screened me for a job I applied for. Throughout the application process she gave me a lot of career advice and also helped me get better at interviews. With all the years of experience she has, she is very knowledgeable and

Anthony Romero

Director, Chemistry at ORIC Pharmaceuticals

It was a pleasure working with Paula and is the best experience I have had during a job search. Job searches can be stressful, but Paula transformed it into a unique experience where I can honestly call her a friend. I have worked with many