Our Story, Your Success

We've spent the last decade figuring out what actually works when it comes to building leadership teams that stick around and deliver results.

Our office

How We Got Here

Look, we didn't start out as some massive corporate machine. Back in 2015, it was just three of us in a cramped office on King Street, cold-calling executives and learning the hard way that leadership recruitment isn't just about matching resumes to job descriptions.

What we figured out pretty quickly is that companies don't just need warm bodies in executive roles - they need people who'll actually stay, grow, and make everyone around them better. That's the whole game, really.

Fast forward to today, we've placed over 350 executives across Canada, helped dozens of organizations build their internal leadership pipelines, and learned a ton about what separates teams that thrive from those that just... exist.

The Journey So Far

2015

Started From Scratch

Founded Glaivorth Stronghold with a mission to change how companies think about executive hiring. First office, first client, first late night wondering if we'd made a huge mistake.

2017

Hit Our Stride

Placed our 50th executive and launched our first leadership development program. Moved to the Yonge Street office where we're still hanging out today.

2019

Expanded the Toolkit

Added organizational culture consulting and succession planning services. Realized that finding great leaders is only half the battle - you gotta keep 'em too.

2021

Weathered the Storm

Pandemic hit and everything went remote. Learned that great leadership matters even more when everyone's working from their kitchen table. Adapted our entire approach and came out stronger.

2023

Tech Integration

Rolled out our HR technology implementation service. Because even the best leaders need good systems backing them up. Started using AI for candidate screening while keeping the human touch where it matters.

2025

Still Growing

Team of 18 now, working with clients across Canada. We've placed 350+ executives and counting. Still learning, still adapting, still obsessed with getting it right.

Meet the People Behind the Process

Sarah Mitchell
Sarah Mitchell

Founder & Managing Partner

Started this thing after getting frustrated with cookie-cutter recruitment firms. Spent 8 years at a Big Four before realizing there had to be a better way. When she's not matching executives with their dream roles, she's probably at a Raptors game or testing new brunch spots on Queen West.

David Chen
David Chen

Head of Leadership Development

Built and ran leadership programs for Fortune 500 companies before joining us in 2018. Has a knack for turning promising managers into exceptional leaders. Coffee snob, marathon runner, and the guy who keeps us all honest about what actually works versus what just sounds good.

Amanda Rodriguez
Amanda Rodriguez

Senior Partner, Executive Search

Joined us from a global executive search firm where she got tired of treating people like commodities. Specializes in C-suite placements and has an almost scary ability to read cultural fit. Outside the office, she's into rock climbing and teaching her kids that failure's just part of the deal.

Marcus Thompson
Marcus Thompson

Director of HR Technology

Tech guy who actually understands people - rare combo. Helps our clients implement HR systems that don't make everyone want to throw their laptops out the window. Former software engineer who realized he'd rather help humans work better together than debug code all day.

What We Actually Stand For

Real Over Perfect

We don't do corporate BS or pretend everything's always amazing. Honest conversations lead to better outcomes - period.

People First, Always

Whether you're a client or a candidate, you're not a transaction. We actually give a damn about getting it right for everyone involved.

Keep Learning

What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. We're constantly testing, learning, and adapting our approach based on what actually produces results.

Long-Term Thinking

Quick fixes don't interest us. We're here to build relationships and solutions that last years, not just fill seats and move on.

Results Matter

Nice presentations don't pay the bills. We measure ourselves on placements that stick, leaders who thrive, and organizations that grow.

Give a Damn

Sounds simple but it's rare. We're genuinely invested in your success and lose sleep when things don't go right. That's just how we're wired.

Organizations We've Worked With

Ready to Build Something Better?

Whether you need to fill an executive role or develop your existing leaders, let's talk about what's actually possible.

Get In Touch