# Occam Global

> Global executive search and board development firm for venture-backed and market-defining companies. Occam Global is a committed partner for critical leadership decisions, combining creativity, clarity, and principled judgment.

Occam Global was founded in 2012 by William Holodnak (after a 25-year career at Fidelity Investments) and his son John Holodnak. The firm is headquartered at 145 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10013, with associates in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Contact: info@occam-global.com | (888) 212-3410.

## About

- [About Occam Global](https://www.occam-global.com/about-us): Firm history, founding story, values (professionalism, transparency, creativity, ethics), and the 5-stage search process (Initiation → Planning → Execution → Pre-Closure → Closure). Named after medieval philosopher William of Occam and his concept of Occam's Razor — an unrelenting focus on essentials in problem-solving.

## Expertise

- [Life Science Executive Search](https://www.occam-global.com/life-sciences-executive-search): Retained executive search for biotech, pharma, medtech, and TechBio organizations. Places C-suite (CEO, CSO, CMO, CCO, General Counsel), board directors, and venture partners. Global reach across the US and Europe with offices in NYC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and London.
- [Biotech Executive Search](https://www.occam-global.com/biotech-executive-search-experts): Specialized biotech executive recruiting covering C-suite, scientific leadership (CSO, R&D heads), commercial roles (CMO, CCO), regulatory/compliance leaders, custom searches, and board recruitment. Focus on early-stage to growth-stage companies.
- [Deep Tech Executive Search](https://www.occam-global.com/technology-executive-search): Places executives in AI, robotics & autonomous systems, and defense technology. Typical searches close within 8–12 weeks. Evaluates candidates as "growth architects" capable of leading through inflection points.
- [Defense Tech Executive Search](https://www.occam-global.com/defense-tech-executive-search): Retained search for venture-backed defense technology companies. Covers autonomy, space systems, directed energy, hypersonics, biodefense, logistics, cybersecurity, and drones/robotics. Evaluates candidates on Defense Industrial Base credibility, program execution under regulatory scrutiny (FAR, DFARS, SBIR, OTAs), and venture-backed growth alignment. Typical engagement: 8–16 weeks.
- [Venture Capital Executive Search](https://www.occam-global.com/venture-capital-executive-search): Secures leadership for venture capital portfolio companies and investment platforms. Also operates as a strategic venture platform combining capital (Seed through Series B, typically $5M–$20M), executive search, and leadership advisory.

## Our Work

- [Placements](https://www.occam-global.com/our-work): Full filterable list of recent executive and board placements across roles including CEO, CFO, CMO, CSO, CBO, COO, CTO, CDO, CLO, CCO, Board Director, and Advisory. Clients include Recursion Pharmaceuticals, insitro, Chemify, Geron, Umoja Biopharma, Cradle, Variant Bio, Metsera, Mammoth Biosciences, Elicio Therapeutics, Dynavax, A-Alpha Bio, Charm Therapeutics, LabGenius, and many more.
- [Case Studies](https://www.occam-global.com/case-study-organizer): In-depth case studies including building an executive team for IPO success, recruiting a Chairman for a first-time CEO, finding a rare entrepreneurial/operational executive, assembling a high-performing team enabling CEO to merge science and tech teams, and guiding a first-time CEO on organizational growth. Notable clients include Recursion Pharmaceuticals, insitro, and Charm Therapeutics. Retention rate for placed executives exceeds 95% after two years.

## Insights

- [Insights & Thought Leadership](https://www.occam-global.com/insights): Expert articles, interviews, press releases, podcasts, and blog posts on life science executive search, biotech leadership trends, and industry analysis. Topics include TechBio leadership, biotech CEO archetypes, CMO selection, AI-fluent leadership, tariffs and pharma talent, UK biotech, board recruiting, and CBO/CXO roles.

## Contact

- [Contact](https://www.occam-global.com/contact): Two engagement paths — Become a Client (hire executive talent) or Become a Candidate (join the network). Address: 145 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10013. Email: info@occam-global.com. Phone: (888) 212-3410.

## Key Differentiators

Occam operates on three pillars: Enduring Commitment (senior-led, end-to-end, no handoffs, bespoke approach), Creative Process (unmatched network + diligent research, adjacent industry expansion, experimental mindset), and Transparent Dialogue (objective/frequent updates, candor over comfort, milestone-driven structure).

The firm is selective about mandates, senior-led on every search, and does not operate a volume model. Industry sectors served: Life Sciences, Biotech, Deep Tech (AI, Robotics), Defense Tech, Venture Capital. Also serves select high-growth technology and TechBio clients.