Kim Feitosa is Senior Vice President, Executive Search, and Partner at Slone Partners. As a seasoned recruiting specialist, Kim has placed executives and leaders in all functional areas from the Board and C-suite to senior- and middle-management. She has worked closely with innovative scientific, clinical, and business leaders throughout all stages of her career, including in sales, marketing, and management roles.
Kim graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado. We recently spoke with Kim to learn more about her career, her work at Slone Partners, and her life outside the office.
Q: Tell us a bit about your career journey and how you got to Slone Partners.
A: I began my career straight out of college in commercial sales within the HVAC industry. It was an exceptional place to learn—offering the right balance of support, structured education, and the opportunity to jump in headfirst.
Because that experience was considered capital equipment sales, Abbott Diagnostics pursued me. Abbott intentionally built field sales teams with diverse backgrounds—capital sales, medical technology, and the military—and the mix was truly powerful. Each group taught the others their core strengths.
I’m still in touch with many former Abbott colleagues. It was a formative experience, and I learned an incredible amount from that team.
From there, I joined AmeriPath, a physician practice management company focused on pathology. While Abbott gave me deep exposure to laboratory testing, AmeriPath allowed me to better understand providers and their needs so it completed the picture. After AmeriPath was acquired, I went on to work with several types of diagnostic providers, including an FDA‑regulated transplant laboratory. Explaining an SOP while sitting across from the FDA is an experience I’ll never forget.
Later, I was approached to take on sales leadership for a joint‑venture laboratory services company in my hometown. Working closely with operations leadership, we grew the business into a valuable hospital asset. Eventually, the organization was spun off and sold to a competitor.
At that point, I felt ready for something different, an opportunity to stretch myself while still applying everything I had learned along the way. I shared that sentiment with a former AmeriPath colleague, and she simply said, “Why don’t you come work for us?”
That colleague was Leslie Loveless, and that conversation led to a new chapter with Slone Partners.
Q: In what ways do you engage with clients—and what part of the work energizes you most?
A: My first question for every client is simple: “What problem will the person in this role solve for you?”
That answer paints a clear picture of the type of person we’re seeking and the experience that truly matters. From there, I listen closely and observe—how the client communicates, the language they use, and how they prefer to learn and absorb information.
I tailor my communication and engagement style to what is most comfortable and effective for them. Some clients prefer email; others want live conversations; and some appreciate a shared document where they can track their search progress 24/7. Most are a blend of all three.
Meeting people where they are leads to stronger partnerships—and better outcomes. My dad was a Ph.D.-educated physical chemist, and he taught me about meeting people where they are right now. He taught me that by showing me.
What energizes me most is true collaboration—everyone in the trenches, aligned and committed to finding the right fit.
The best outcomes happen when there’s trust among all involved and a shared belief that we’re working toward the same goal. At the end of the day, we’re not just filling roles; we’re helping build companies with strong, thoughtful leadership teams.
And great leadership starts with great people. When that happens, truly remarkable things follow.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your work at Slone Partners—and what advice would you give to professionals who are interested in building a career in executive search?
A: One of the most rewarding moments for me is the 100‑day check‑in with both the client and the candidate.
Hearing a client say, “Thank you for finding us a superstar,” and a candidate share, “Thank you for helping me find my dream job,” is incredibly meaningful. Those moments remind me why this work matters.
Being part of connecting the right talent with truly exceptional technology—work that saves and improves lives—is an honor I never take lightly.
The advice I give to anyone interested in a career in executive search is simple: read constantly.
Our clients are building powerful, exciting science. Take the time to learn it. Get genuinely energized by what they’ve accomplished and what they’re on the verge of achieving. That curiosity and enthusiasm matters.
If you’re someone who naturally puts people first, this can be an incredibly rewarding career. Placing someone into a company is a significant responsibility. Work accounts for at least a third of their day. Another third is spent sleeping, and much of what’s left revolves around preparing for or unwinding from work.
Time is our most precious commodity. How someone spends that time—and where they choose to invest their talent—can be profoundly meaningful. Being entrusted to help guide those decisions is a responsibility that deserves real care and intention.
Q: What strategies do you typically deploy to achieve successful outcomes during critical leadership searches?
A: During critical searches the strategies I rely on most are clear communication, deep learning, empathy, and organization.
I take the time to truly understand the science behind what my clients are building. I think carefully about where a candidate may be in their career—and in their life—at that moment. And I stay highly organized to ensure momentum, transparency, and trust throughout the process.
When these elements come together, they create the foundation for strong alignment and successful outcomes for everyone involved.
Q: What brings you joy outside of the office?
A: I love being surrounded by family and friends—sharing meals, going for hikes, and spending unhurried time together. The more, the merrier when it comes to the people I love and the people who are and who feel like family.
I’m incredibly fortunate to have built lasting relationships throughout my life, including friendships that go all the way back to first grade. These are people I can count on and who count on me.
When we travel, we often invite others from our joined families to come along on the adventure. My family knows my husband’s family, and his family knows mine. Holidays are shared, traditions intertwine, and personalities blend.
Does it get messy at times? Absolutely. But there’s so much joy in that beautiful mess.
