Renee Hammond

Renee Johnson is a nationally sought-after executive recruiter with a reputation for connecting visionary leaders with game-changing companies. As the Founder of Catalyst Talent Group, Renee has helped shape the executive teams of some of the fastest-growing firms in fintech, biotech, and private equity. With over 15 years of experience, Renee specializes in recruiting C-suite and board-level talent with a sharp focus on diversity, leadership style, and cultural alignment. Her firm boasts a 96% retention rate after 18 months — a testament to her strategic matchmaking and deep understanding of what leadership teams truly need to scale. Before launching her own practice, Renee led national recruitment efforts at Ascend Partners, a top-tier retained search firm where she helped secure key hires for IPO-track companies and Fortune 500 clients. A trusted advisor and frequent guest speaker at industry events, Renee’s work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Fortune, and Fast Company. She is passionate about closing the gender gap in executive leadership and serves on the board of Women in Executive Search (WES). Renee holds a Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from NYU. She splits her time between New York and Austin and is known for her signature coffee-fueled 5AM strategy calls, fierce loyalty to her clients, and a knack for making the perfect placement — even when the odds say otherwise.