Our
Story
ABOUT MARLIN
The Executive Search Firm Built by Operators, Not Recruiters.
Marlin exists for one reason: to help PE/VC firms and high-growth companies hire the leadership that moves the needle.
We’re not career recruiters. We’ve built brands. Scaled companies. Sat across the table from founders, investors, and C-suite leaders making the biggest calls of their careers.
Before Marlin, we spent a decade building one of the most trusted executive branding firms in the U.S. We’ve worked 1:1 with over 2,500 VP–C-suite leaders on clarity, positioning, and transition. Now we place them.
That means our pipeline isn’t pulled from LinkedIn. It’s built on trust.
Every search is senior-led, outcome-focused, and designed around the real business problem - not the job title. And after the hire, we stay in it with you, offering post-placement (PR) strategy and positioning to drive immediate impact.
Trusted by leaders from Cisco, EY, Duke Health, GE, Raytheon, New Balance, and more.
SO LET ME INTRODUCE:
the team
We’re a boutique team of builders, brand strategists, and executive advisors who’ve spent our careers inside growth.
We’ve worked with global companies, ambitious founders, and high-performing operators to scale what’s working and fix what’s not. When you work with Marlin, you work directly with us - start to close.
Luke Curulli
Founder, operator, and executive search partner with deep instincts for talent and scale. Luke has built brands from the ground up, advised C-suite leaders across industries, and knows how to land hires that shift growth curves. When you work with Marlin, you work with Luke.
ceo & Co-founder
Kate Allinson
Founder of Elo Branding and advisor to over 2,500 senior executives. Kate is the engine behind Marlin’s off-market access. Her background in executive branding and PR means she understands what great leaders look like, how they think, and what it takes to get their attention, and their trust.
Co-founder
Joe Piotrowski
With 40+ years in search and HR leadership, Joe has led senior executive placements across industries including infrastructure, engineering, and tech. He brings seasoned judgment, sharp evaluation, and a sixth sense for leadership fit in high-stakes environments.
advisor
from john reece:
Joe Piotrowski is one of the finest employment executives / executive recruiters I know... a true professional. I had the personal pleasure of working Joe in Human Relations for over ten years, and have known him for over thirty years. He has a reputation for getting the job done!
from john bates:
If you're considering working with Kate I heartily recommend you do. Kate is not only brilliant at what she does, she is also someone who is an absolute pleasure to work with. You will be very happy you did.
from steven birdsall:
Luke & team were thorough, proactive, and did an amazing job with everything. I’ve already made one recommendation the day I received the final work. I’m confident many more are coming their way. I can’t recommend them more.
