Big News at API Network!
A New Identity: From Starge to Person/ally
Three years ago, Éva Gombás founded Starge with the belief that executive search needed a fresh perspective. What started as a solo endeavor has since grown into a dynamic team united by a shared vision. With this evolution came the need for a name that truly reflected their mission. Enter Person/ally—a brand that embodies their people-first philosophy and commitment to meaningful, long-term partnerships.
Éva explains, “Our new brand is the result of teamwork and creativity. It really shows off our people-first approach in how we live our lives, do our jobs, and support our clients. This isn’t just a new name; it’s a new chapter.”
A Vision Rooted in People
Imagine having your own personal ally in the search for the perfect candidate or the ideal job; someone who understands not just the skills required, but the human connection that turns a placement into a partnership. This vision is at the heart of Person/ally, a pioneering executive search firm that believes in breaking away from outdated, transactional recruitment methods to build a more personal, people-centric approach.
For Éva Gombás, managing partner of Person/ally, the journey began with a dream. After 30 years of leading executive search at a multinational firm, she wanted to create something that truly reflected her values—a business that placed people, not just positions, at its core. But to make this vision a reality, she needed the right allies. This is where Viki came in.
Bringing Marketing to Executive Search
Viktória Vándorfi took a bold leap from marketing leadership to executive search, bringing fresh insight and a dynamic perspective to the industry. With two decades of experience in multinational corporations, she understands not only business strategy but the human motivations behind career transitions. Her ability to ask the right questions and see beyond the surface makes her a driving force in reshaping how talent is matched with opportunity. For Viki, joining Person/ally was not just a career change, it was an opportunity to redefine the standards of executive search and create a lasting impact.
Historically, marketing played little to no role in executive search, Person/ally is pioneering a cutting-edge approach, recognizing that personalization and storytelling are the future. “My experience has taught me that real organizational change requires the right leaders, the right culture, and an understanding of the bigger picture,” Viki explains. Together, she and Eva are reshaping executive search by offering real, actionable feedback and building long-term relationships instead of one-off transactions.
Person/ally strongly believes in being an agent of change and advocates for the transformation of the executive search industry. “This industry is stuck in the nineties, it needs to break free from its outdated, elitist approach. We aim to move away from that overly formal world while maintaining professionalism,” explains Eva.
More Than a Business—A Commitment to People
Person/ally is built on a strong foundation of vision, collaboration, and a dedicated team that brings its mission to life. More than just an executive search firm, it is a movement led by women redefining the industry. Their work is driven by innovation, authenticity, and a shared commitment to meaningful change. Person/ally stands for long-term partnerships, curiosity, and impact. The name itself—Person + Ally—embodies this mission: to be the personal allies of leaders, clients, and candidates alike.
“In a world where rapidly evolving technologies are reshaping businesses at high speed, we need leaders who are flexible, innovative, and capable of engaging their teams and organizations,” Eva notes. Viki adds, “Today, even consumers expect exceptional, highly personalized experiences from the services and products they use. Why should executive search be any different?”
New brand, New Possibilities
Rebranding opens new possibilities for both clients and stakeholders. For Person/ally, it’s a chance to expand its vision and services. A key initiative in this new phase is the Career Health Check—an objective tool that helps leaders and organizations assess their career potential and direction. Beyond business, Person/ally is committed to giving back, ensuring that ambition is met with opportunity without bias.
The Future of Executive Search: A Human-Centric Approach
Person/ally is fundamentally about people—not CVs, not organizational charts, but real individuals with stories, ambitions, and potential. With this philosophy, it goes beyond recruitment to serve as a true ally, standing beside clients and candidates alike, shaping the future of leadership with a human touch.
Their manifesto is simple: You might be a candidate today, a client tomorrow, and a candidate again in the future. These roles change, but the person behind them remains the same. You.
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