Our Team

Joan is President of NorthStar Executive Search, specializing in Experiential, Shopper Marketing, Omni-Channel , Market Research, Advanced Analytics, Marketing, Luxury, and Business Development for clients, agencies and consultancies.

She brings 16+ years of executive recruitment experience preceded by a successful career in Fortune 500 companies and agencies. She has held executive marketing, shopper and sales positions at companies such as Ocean Spray, Sara Lee, Tropicana and the J. Brown Agency.

Since 2004, Joan has successfully led and executed countless senior searches in shopper marketing/omni- channel, digital, advanced analytics/research, experiential, account management, brand marketing, finance, business development and sales.

Joan's combined client and agency experience provides her with the unique ability to understand the needs of her clients as well as the intricacies of the positions we are hired to fill. She has developed an outstanding track record and stellar reputation as a trusted advisor for clients and candidates alike. Joan's industry knowledge, dedication and extensive network enrich NorthStar Executive Search and provides valuable insights into the job market and the specific needs of their clients.

Joan received her MBA from Boston College and BA from University of Vermont. Joan is a skiing, biking and traveling enthusiast.

An accomplished marketing executive, Carol joined NorthStar as Executive Vice President in 2021 after a successful 30+ years career in the CPG industry. Carol brings a unique blend of skills to NorthStar; in addition to client-side experience building brands and teams, launching new products and growing established businesses in senior level positions at Ocean Spray, Kraft Foods, SharkNinja and New Wave Foods, she also has global consulting experience with McKinsey & Co., Henry Rak Consulting Partners and Compass Marketing. As a consultant, she led the development of growth and innovation strategies for a diverse range of clients including food, beverage, confections, small appliances, personal care, beauty and OTC health care. 

At NorthStar, Carol leverages her extensive background in marketing, strategy, and insights enabling her to truly understand an opportunity and identify the best talent for the job.

Carol holds a B.A. from Barnard College of Columbia University and an M.B.A from Emory University.

Susan Baron, Executive Vice President, has over 10 years' experience in executive search.  Prior to that she held numerous leadership roles in the media industry.

Before becoming a search consultant Susan was CEO of North American Operations for Cemusa, a global outdoor advertising company.  While at Meredith Corporation, she was Senior Vice President, Group Publisher of Better Homes and Gardens, Parents, American Baby Group and Hispanic Ventures. She has been in senior leadership roles at Reader's Digest and Pluzynski Associates, a leading catalog, creative and marketing agency.

Susan has successfully led and executed senior searches in emerging technology, digital/social/media, marketing, market research, audience development, luxury/lifestyle and customer service. During her years as an executive search consultant, Susan has developed an outstanding track record and reputation as a trusted strategist and advisor for her clients and candidates alike. Susan's industry knowledge and dedication enriches NorthStar Executive Search and provides our clients valuable insight into the job market as well as the specific needs of each search.

Susan is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.

Susan has honed her experience over 30+ years working for companies of all sizes across various industries, and in different functional areas.

Utilizing her background and understanding of presentation, Susan works with individuals in Resume Development – guiding clients in understanding their accomplishments and key skills, and in defining their desired role.

Susan's industry knowledge and dedication enriches NorthStar Executive Search and provides our clients with valuable insight into specific needs of your company and each search.

Additionally, as the Owner of Bralan Consulting, Susan focuses on efficiency - helping companies and individuals choose the right resources to meet their needs and implement processes that allow them to grow.

A masterful Certified Professional Coach, Certified Group Coach, engaging speaker and facilitator, and Mindfulness Meditation teacher, Cindy is known for her insight, directness and humor and her ability to bring out the best in people. She helps her clients set big goals, bring their strengths forward, identify and overcome barriers to success. She guides her clients to make changes in manageable steps. Some of the many tools Cindy employs in her work are based on the most recent findings in neuroscience and mindfulness.

Before Cindy's entrepreneurial spirit took her out of the corporate arena, she held leadership positions in Human Resource Management in the technology sector. Drawing from her passion for developing the full potential in others and her success as an internal corporate partner and advisor, Cindy established her own Coaching and Leadership Development business in 1986.

Cindy was recognized as one of Boston's Top Ten Coaches by Women's Business Boston, and she has been a contributor to national trade and business journals. She earned a degree in Communication Studies from the University of Vermont and is certified to administer leadership, personal, and team assessment instruments, including: the Index for Emotional Intelligence, DISC, StressMap, StandOut and Team EI. She is also an Enhanced Conversational Intelligence coach and a Strengths Coach.

Cindy is a lifelong New Englander. She has two sons and lives in suburban Boston with her husband. She believes when we stop learning, we stop living.

Jon Kramer is one of the foremost US experts on the evolving CPG Brand and Retail industries. He has been a committed innovator for over 20 years having pioneered the strategy of facilitating manufacturer retailer partnerships, Shopper Marketing.

He conceived the first US agency dedicated to Shopper Marketing, and architected a groundbreaking joint venture with a sales organization, creating a true concept-to-checkout capability.

He is a sought-after advisor to both blue-chip brand marketers and leading retailers, providing guidance in how to survive the challenges of competing in an increasingly complex environment.

Jon is often a featured speaker at industry conferences.

Joan is the President & founder of Data Resources Management, Inc. (1995-present), a privately held consulting company which provides Consumer Packaged Goods companies with analytic, Category Management, Technology & Reporting and Strategic Retail Route to Market solutions. Previously, Joan held senior level positions at several data companies including IRI and Nielsen.

Clients (Manufacturers, Brokers, Retailers, Syndicated Data Suppliers, and Retail Technology Providers) have ranged in size from Fortune 500 to smaller Companies building their market share.

Examples of Projects include:

Data & Report development & usage • Account Management & Category Management presentations •  Data analytics & ROI studies • Syndicated Data Supplier selection/evaluation •  Strategic presentations, documentation and content

Retail Coverage Route to Market & Segmentation (Retail Coverage & Sales) • Retail Technology Vendor evaluation & implementation • Defining Retail 'In-store Sales Process', Activities, Time-in-store, Frequency •  Broker evaluation & selection for HQ and Retail

Joan has unique expertise & experience, providing a cost-effective resource that is not found in-house at many organizations.

She received her Undergraduate degree from Lafayette College and MBA from NYU. Joan is a traveling enthusiast.

Samantha Hess is a Website Designer & Developer, based out of Brooklyn, New York. Samantha believes in purposeful design that is usable, enjoyable and memorable. Her websites visually communicate, drive growth and visibility. Her passions include website design, problem-solving and making candles. Sam is a 2016 graduate of New York University (Gallatin School of Individualized Studies), where she received a B.A. concentrating in Intercultural/ Multicultural Anthropology Studies.