Lea Vajnorsky

Lea Vajnorsky is a core member of the firm’s global Technology Practice and Financial Services Practice. She works primarily with venture capital and private equity investors, advising clients on C-level recruitment across their portfolio companies, with a strong focus on software and technology-enabled businesses disrupting entire industry verticals.

Drawing on her background in venture capital, Lea has developed deep expertise in fintech. She advises established financial services organizations on recruiting modern, tech-savvy talent, while also supporting younger fintech companies in appointing experienced senior leaders.

Her core functional expertise includes the appointment of CFOs, CHROs, and CEOs. Lea is also a member of the firm’s global Inclusive Leadership Practice.

Before joining Russell Reynolds Associates, Lea served as Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Henkel, where she developed and rolled out a global inclusive leadership strategy. Earlier, she worked with Henkel’s first chief digital officer and founded XATHON, Europe’s largest female ideation hackathon. She also played a key role in designing and launching the DigitalBasefit Program, Henkel’s first initiative to upskill its workforce in digital capabilities.

Lea has lectured in digital strategy and entrepreneurship at WHU and ESCP Europe and brings more than a decade of experience across sectors and functions. Throughout her career, she has advised clients on inclusive leadership, change management, business development, and corporate venture capital. She is the founder and CEO of Wo\men Inc., a global platform for career-focused women that hosts events and provides inclusion consulting.