Interviewed by Stephanie Giunta
For three decades, TEG Consulting, an Acertitude company, has helped high-growth and transforming companies build leadership teams that change the game. As the firm celebrates its 30th anniversary, Managing Partner Sarah McCullough reflects on her journey, the evolution of search, and the values that continue to set TEG apart.
Why TEG? A Career Built on Purpose
Stephanie: Sarah, you’ve spent the majority of your career here at TEG. What initially drew you to the firm, and what’s kept you here all these years?
Sarah: I was attracted to the team, and the insanity of the tech industry, but what really hooked me was the thrill of changing the trajectory of someone’s career and watching them execute on a client’s strategy. The real reward has been seeing those executives thrive, watching the value they bring to our client companies, and being part of the full-circle story when they later become clients.
When you place the right executive, the impact on a company can be transformational.
And then there’s the culture. We’re truly a family. Many of us have been here for over a decade, which speaks volumes. The team truly has invaluable knowledge and perspective, and new teammates bring fresh energy. Our commitment to each other and our clients has never wavered.
Industry Evolution Over Three Decades
Stephanie: You’ve been in search for 30 years. How has the industry evolved in that time?
Sarah: Everything has changed. We went from paper Rolodexes, faxed résumés, and calling receptionists to build out company org charts to delivering senior-level slates in three weeks and clients making hires within 60 days. This kind of speed was unheard of back then. Without Zoom, it could sometimes take a month just to get face-to-face with a sought after executive.
We now have powerful tools — LinkedIn, advanced assessments, analytics — but tools only take you so far because experience can be taught. What matters most is cultural alignment, and that still comes from deep conversations and judgment built over decades.
Senior-level searches now move in weeks, not months.
The Power of Relationships
Stephanie: How has TEG’s size and structure influenced the way you build client and candidate relationships?
Sarah: At TEG, consultants stay hands-on from start to finish; they are completely committed to the success of the search.
I conduct all my own interviews. That means I know the candidates, I know the clients, and I can make sure it’s the right match not just for the role, but for long-term success.
In larger firms, that connection often gets diluted. Our model ensures we stay close to the work and the people, which is how we help enable organizations to thrive.
Leadership: From Command Control to Authenticity
Stephanie: What leadership traits are most in demand today compared to when you started?
Sarah: Leaders used to operate with a “my way or the highway” mentality. There was less mobility, accountability, and emphasis on building strong teams. Companies assumed that leaders would stay on board and just “take it.”
Today, the best leaders are adaptable, humble, communicative, and authentic. They need to be transparent, embrace diversity, and lead with empathy all while having the vision to navigate unprecedented change. These are the qualities that individuals gravitate toward, and foster long-term engagement with colleagues.
The best leaders are the ones who admit what they don’t know and are thankful for their teams.
Lessons Across Time: 1995 vs. 2025
Stephanie: If your 1995 self could give advice to your 2025 self and vice versa, what would it be?
Sarah: My 1995 self would say: never lose your entrepreneurial drive, stay curious, and remember that face-to-face connection will always matter, even in a tech-driven world. You may have strong reach with tools, but the best relationships and trust in the market are built on in-person, human interactions.
And my 2025 self would remind my 1995 self: be bold. Over the years, you’ve navigated significant ups and downs. Instead of playing it safe, you seized the moment to make bold pivots — from hiring standout talent that wouldn’t have been available in stronger markets to reshaping our business model. Each move positioned the firm for long-term success and became a cornerstone of growth.
Looking Ahead: TEG's Future
Stephanie: What do you see shaping the future of TEG and the search industry?
Sarah: Speed will keep accelerating — private equity demands it, and technology enables it. But the differentiator will always be the human side of search: understanding client needs, recognizing cultural fit, building trust, and maintaining long-term relationships.
Internally, our strength is multi-generational collaboration. Experienced partners bring depth, younger professionals bring fresh perspective, and together that balance is what will carry TEG forward.
That’s the culture that’s carried us for 30 years, and it’s what will take us forward.
As TEG marks its 30th anniversary, Sarah’s reflections highlight what has defined the firm from day one: speed, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to people. The tools may change, markets may shift, and timelines may tighten, but TEG’s foundation remains the same. People over résumés. Culture over credentials. Relationships over transactions.
That’s what will power the next 30 years.
Never miss insights
Stay in the know with our thought leadership
