Creating a World Where Potential and Opportunity Meet
WHO WE ARE
CTE’s mission is to Change the Face of Talent. Our focus has always been to create a mission-driven organization capable of exceeding our clients’ expectations and providing our team members with a work environment that embraces individuality. Our Core Values inform every decision we make and action we take.

- PLAY THE RIGHT WAY
- INNOVATE AND ELEVATE
- STAY TRUE TO YOU
- SEEK UNDERSTANDING
- BE BOLD
- DO AWESOME SH#T
- PLAY THE RIGHT WAY
- INNOVATE AND ELEVATE
- STAY TRUE TO YOU
- SEEK UNDERSTANDING
- BE BOLD
- DO AWESOME SH#T
CLIENTS

































New York
Our teams provide exemplary service to clients across the country.
San Francisco
Our teams provide exemplary service to clients across the country.
Los Angeles
Our teams provide exemplary service to clients across the country.
Boston
Our teams provide exemplary service to clients across the country.
OUR LEADERSHIP


Kyle Samuels
Founder
Kyle is an only child, an introvert, and a self-proclaimed weirdo. It took almost 20 years of work in corporate America for Kyle to realize that in order to achieve his dreams he would have to build his own company. Creative Talent Endeavors officially started at his Orange County dining room table with Kyle as the only employee, by the end of 2021 CTE had over 15 employees and counting.
Building CTE has allowed him to truly be himself at work, and that feeling of authenticity is a core belief of the company; we want people to be who they are!
Kyle spent several years working for Yum! Brands in various HR leadership roles, and prior to Yum! he held several HR roles at GE Aviation. Earlier in his career he honed his executive search experience at top retained executive search firms. Kyle is a graduate of GE’s Human Resources Leadership Program (HRLP) and holds an MBA in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources from Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management.


Jared Cozart
Partner
Jared Cozart is a partner and co-owner of CTE. Leading the firm’s growth and strategy function, Jared manages all go-to-market activities. Jared has successfully cultivated and led relationships with various organizations including early-stage startups, global Fortune 50 enterprises, and non-profits with missions aligned with CTE’s purpose and values.
Before joining CTE, Jared cultivated a successful career leading business development and consulting efforts in the executive search space. Throughout his time in the industry, Jared has guided clients through complex initiatives and advised executives on their challenge to identify, attract and retain high caliber talent. Jared is a proud graduate of Southern University, where his years on the baseball team shaped his competitive drive and team mentality. Today, he is a frequent traveler, reader, podcast enthusiast, golfer, and avid Ravens and Orioles fan. Jared currently lives in Charlotte with his wife Brittany.
Before joining CTE, Jared cultivated a successful career leading business development and consulting efforts in the executive search space. Throughout his time in the industry, Jared has guided clients through complex initiatives and advised executives on their challenge to identify, attract and retain high caliber talent. Jared is a proud graduate of Southern University, where his years on the baseball team shaped his competitive drive and team mentality. Today, he is a frequent traveler, reader, podcast enthusiast, golfer, and avid Ravens and Orioles fan. Jared currently lives in Charlotte with his wife Brittany.


Le Anne Harper
Head of Advisory Services
Le Anne has 15+ years’ professional experience in the talent space, including in-house and consulting leadership roles in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Talent Acquisition, Learning and Organizational Development, Retained Executive Search, and Corporate HR Programs. Her industry experience spans multiple verticals including media/entertainment, architecture and engineering, consumer brands, non-profits, and professional services. Le Anne’s tenures with global, matrixed companies like Sony Pictures Entertainment, Tyco (now AECOM), and Johnson & Higgins (now Marsh McLennan) provided exposure to best-in-class resources and programs, while her time supporting startups and entrepreneurial companies like DreamWorks, McDermott & Bull, and Crooked Media leveraged her DIY, resourceful side to build tools and talent solutions from scratch. That myriad experience informs her approach to creating scalable people and DEI programs that enrich cultures, spark innovation, and accelerate growth.
Le Anne is a lifelong learner who loves to face her fears including a solo safari in South Africa, a 14,000-foot skydive, singing backup for Barry Manilow, and swimming with Galapagos sharks. Her mission is to help organizations and individuals – particularly those that have been historically marginalized – to discover and cultivate their talents so they can grow, prosper, and thrive. She earned her Sociology degree at UCLA, has credentials in Diverse Talent Sourcing and Life Coaching, and completed executive programs at Yale and Cornell.
“I want to discourage you from choosing anything or making any decision simply because it is safe. Things of value seldom are.” ~ Toni Morrison
Le Anne is a lifelong learner who loves to face her fears including a solo safari in South Africa, a 14,000-foot skydive, singing backup for Barry Manilow, and swimming with Galapagos sharks. Her mission is to help organizations and individuals – particularly those that have been historically marginalized – to discover and cultivate their talents so they can grow, prosper, and thrive. She earned her Sociology degree at UCLA, has credentials in Diverse Talent Sourcing and Life Coaching, and completed executive programs at Yale and Cornell.
“I want to discourage you from choosing anything or making any decision simply because it is safe. Things of value seldom are.” ~ Toni Morrison


Demetrios Chirgott
Head of Client Partnerships
Demetrios Chirgott has over 18 years of sales, recruiting and leadership experience providing executive search and consulting expertise. As Head of Client Partnerships, Demetrios works closely with clients throughout their relationship with CTE to provide insight and custom solutions to meet search and advisory objectives. Demetrios leads the growing national Client Partnership team.
Throughout his career, Demetrios has led business development and executive search teams with high-growth startups and Fortune 50 organizations. From serving as Vice President in a prominent boutique search firm in North Carolina to overseeing a high performing branch of a national IT consulting firm in Washington, DC, Demetrios brings a hands-on approach to leadership. He has successfully impacted key projects including IPO readiness, FP&A department overhauls, Agile transformations, enterprise system implementations and various mission critical endeavors. His keen awareness of client culture, future initiatives and business strategy has enabled him to build lasting partnerships with organizations at all phases of growth across industries such as financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, food & beverage, CPG and more.
Demetrios resides in the greater DC metro area with his wife and two children. He is a proud alumnus of Catawba College where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration and was a member of the men’s lacrosse team. He is an Eagle Scout and is active in Scouting with both his son and daughter.
Throughout his career, Demetrios has led business development and executive search teams with high-growth startups and Fortune 50 organizations. From serving as Vice President in a prominent boutique search firm in North Carolina to overseeing a high performing branch of a national IT consulting firm in Washington, DC, Demetrios brings a hands-on approach to leadership. He has successfully impacted key projects including IPO readiness, FP&A department overhauls, Agile transformations, enterprise system implementations and various mission critical endeavors. His keen awareness of client culture, future initiatives and business strategy has enabled him to build lasting partnerships with organizations at all phases of growth across industries such as financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, food & beverage, CPG and more.
Demetrios resides in the greater DC metro area with his wife and two children. He is a proud alumnus of Catawba College where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration and was a member of the men’s lacrosse team. He is an Eagle Scout and is active in Scouting with both his son and daughter.


David Hipperson
Engagement Director
David joined CTE as the company’s first Engagement Director, bringing over 6 years of recruiting experience. He began his career by opening a new office as the second Recruiter at a Silicon Valley technology search firm before being quickly promoted to oversee the entire office/territory as the Managing Director. After several years, David became a Head of Talent at a Series A Artificial Intelligence company. He was the 11th hire, and helped to scale the company 4x growth in less than a year.
David has partnered with companies of all shapes and sizes (battleface, Twitter, Chipotle) and matched candidates with their dream jobs at all levels (from mid-level engineer to VP of Finance to Head of People and everything in between).
An Oakland, CA native, David graduated UC Davis with a double major in Economics and International Relations. He studied in Madrid, Spain for a year and now speaks *conversational* Spanish. On the weekends you can now find him on the beaches of San Diego, attending comedy shows and keeping up with his hometown Golden State Warriors.
David has partnered with companies of all shapes and sizes (battleface, Twitter, Chipotle) and matched candidates with their dream jobs at all levels (from mid-level engineer to VP of Finance to Head of People and everything in between).
An Oakland, CA native, David graduated UC Davis with a double major in Economics and International Relations. He studied in Madrid, Spain for a year and now speaks *conversational* Spanish. On the weekends you can now find him on the beaches of San Diego, attending comedy shows and keeping up with his hometown Golden State Warriors.


Natalie Coache
Engagement Director
Natalie is a proud Mom, Human Resources Executive, Wall Street veteran, and global citizen. She is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the Howard University School of Business where she earned a bachelor’s degree as an International Business major.
Natalie’s expertise in Recruitment and Human Resources was built through progressive leadership roles at JPMorgan Chase, Prudential, and BASF over two decades in Corporate America. She held global roles in the Financial Services industry that afforded her the opportunity to travel throughout Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean prior to committing to Human Resources as a long-term career.
Natalie is passionate about empowering young girls and women and serves as the Chief of Staff for Girlz With Goals, a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire young women to become leaders by fostering a love of learning and empowering girls to realize their full potential.
When not hard at work or catering to her kids, Natalie enjoys traveling the world, music, quality time with friends and family, cooking, and great wine.
Natalie’s expertise in Recruitment and Human Resources was built through progressive leadership roles at JPMorgan Chase, Prudential, and BASF over two decades in Corporate America. She held global roles in the Financial Services industry that afforded her the opportunity to travel throughout Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean prior to committing to Human Resources as a long-term career.
Natalie is passionate about empowering young girls and women and serves as the Chief of Staff for Girlz With Goals, a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire young women to become leaders by fostering a love of learning and empowering girls to realize their full potential.
When not hard at work or catering to her kids, Natalie enjoys traveling the world, music, quality time with friends and family, cooking, and great wine.


Matthew Leitz
HR Strategist
Matt joined CTE as the firm’s 5th hire, bringing previous experience as an HR Business Partner in corporate, operations, and distributed workforce settings. He maintains responsibility for the internal functions of the firm, including HR, finance, legal, IT, vendor management, and project management. He is a two-time graduate of Purdue University, holding a BS in Health Policy and Management and a MS in Human Resource Management. He maintains a Six Sigma Green Belt certification and his continuing education is focused in contract and employment law.
Outside of work, Matt enjoys reading, cooking, and backpacking with his wife and dog. He is an avid Boston Celtics fan, regularly attends his local Cars and Coffee meets, and rarely misses an opportunity to try a new pizza restaurant.
Outside of work, Matt enjoys reading, cooking, and backpacking with his wife and dog. He is an avid Boston Celtics fan, regularly attends his local Cars and Coffee meets, and rarely misses an opportunity to try a new pizza restaurant.
- Email:Matt.leitz@ctesearch.com
We've been delighted to engage CTE for several executive roles — both technical and nontechnical. Each time, we've been incredibly impressed with both their sourcing, as well as their ability to connect with candidates. In terms of sourcing, CTE has met or exceeded the quality of boutique Bay Area recruiting firms we've used. As for connection with candidates, one successful executive hire told us that her interactions with CTE's recruiters were one reason she decided to join our company! We absolutely plan to work with CTE in the future.
Adrien TreuilleCo-Founder and CEO, Streamlit
It’s not often you can find a talented and efficient executive search firm that speaks the language of your business. CTE has proven to be that firm. They have a gift for quickly establishing trusted relationships with hiring managers. This has resulted in reduced search times for our specialty searches. Creative Talent Endeavors is a huge asset to our talent team and truly an extension of our amazing brand. We are so grateful for their partnership!
Stacey PayneVice President People, sweetgreen
The team at CTE were amazing to work with on our VP of Finance search. They took the time to understand our current needs and were able to identify high quality candidates who were representative of our users. Leveraging their diverse network, we were able to meet our ambitious goal of hiring our new finance leader in five weeks! We are so thankful to have partnered with CTE and highly recommend them.
Nadir JoshuaVice President of Operations at Caffeine