Business Details
28 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Talent Advisory Solutions
Founded in 1998, Smith & Wilkinson is a premier talent advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations achieve strategic objectives through recruitment, leadership development, and succession planning. Our team of industry specialists brings decades of combined experience in financial services, insurance, and specialized lending sectors. We leverage a proprietary network and execution methodology to deliver insights, solutions, and exceptional candidates nationally. Our services extend beyond placement to include executive coaching, group leadership development, and CEO succession planning. With a focus on mid-sized organizations, we provide customized employee engagement solutions that drive productivity and retention.Our proven track record includes hundreds of C-suite executive searches and dozens of CEO succession projects. We maintain active memberships in state banking associations and collaborate with industry leaders to stay at the forefront of talent trends. Our client-centric approach combines deep industry expertise with personalized service to build long-term partnerships. We emphasize transparency, ethical practices, and measurable outcomes to ensure client satisfaction. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our 24-year history of delivering results for organizations across the United States.
Services
Executive Search
Leadership Development
Succession Planning
Employee Engagement
Coaching Services
Group Leadership
Integration Coaching
Talent Advisory
Recruitment Services
Consulting
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- We have 24 years of specialized expertise in financial services and insurance talent acquisition.
- Our team includes certified executive coaches with proven leadership development methodologies.
- We offer comprehensive succession planning services for CEO and executive-level transitions.
- We maintain active memberships in state banking associations for industry insights.
- Our proprietary network delivers exceptional candidates nationally with measurable results.
Services
Executive Search
Our executive search service identifies top-tier leadership talent for board members, C-suite executives, and key functional roles. We specialize in financial services, insurance, and specialized lending sectors. Our process combines industry expertise with a proprietary network to deliver exceptional candidates who align with organizational culture and strategic goals.
Leadership Development
We offer one-on-one executive coaching and group leadership development programs. Our certified coaches use principles from positive psychology and behavioral science to enhance leadership capabilities. The programs focus on emotional intelligence, inclusive leadership, and practical strategies for team motivation and engagement.
Succession Planning
Our succession planning service identifies and develops future leaders through talent mapping and personalized development roadmaps. We help organizations build leadership pipelines for critical roles. The program includes skills assessment, developmental planning, and implementation strategies to ensure leadership continuity.
Employee Engagement
We design customized employee engagement solutions for mid-sized organizations. Our approach includes feedback collection, data analysis, and implementation of targeted initiatives. Services range from pulse surveys to comprehensive cultural transformation programs that improve productivity and retention.
Integration Coaching
Our integration coaching service supports new executive hires during their first 90 days. We provide structured coaching sessions for both new hires and hiring managers. The program focuses on role clarity, relationship building, and alignment with organizational goals to ensure successful transitions.
People
Carll Wilkinson
President & CEO
Carll Wilkinson leads Smith & Wilkinson, specializing in executive search and succession planning for financial institutions. With over 20 years in the industry, he has managed hundreds of C-suite searches and developed leadership programs for major banks and insurance companies.
Charlotte Anderson
Executive Coach
Charlotte Anderson is a certified executive coach with 30+ years in banking and leadership development. She focuses on personal and professional transformation through coaching, helping leaders achieve peak performance while aligning with their unique purpose and skills.
Chris Kelley
Senior Partner
Chris Kelley leads financial services searches for community banks and regional institutions. With expertise in CEO searches and executive placements, he brings 15+ years of industry experience and strategic insight to help clients find leadership talent aligned with their growth objectives.
Sharon Dorsett
Executive Coach
Sharon Dorsett is an organizational psychologist and certified executive coach specializing in leadership development. She works with teams and executives to overcome performance barriers, enhance leadership capabilities, and implement organizational development strategies through evidence-based coaching methodologies.
Stacy St. Onge
Managing Partner
Stacy St. Onge leads the insurance practice, specializing in executive searches for property and casualty carriers. With prior experience in television production and leadership roles, she brings creative problem-solving skills to talent acquisition in the insurance industry.
Questions
What industries does Smith & Wilkinson specialize in?
We specialize in financial services, insurance, and specialized lending sectors, providing executive search and leadership development solutions tailored to these industries.
How does your leadership development program work?
Our program combines one-on-one coaching and group sessions focused on emotional intelligence, leadership strategies, and team engagement using evidence-based methodologies from behavioral science.
Do you offer succession planning for small businesses?
Yes, we provide customized succession planning services for mid-sized organizations, helping identify and develop future leaders aligned with strategic goals.
What makes your executive search different?
Our industry specialization, proprietary network, and focus on cultural alignment ensure we deliver candidates who meet both skill and leadership requirements for long-term success.
How do you measure employee engagement success?
We use data-driven approaches including pulse surveys, retention metrics, and productivity benchmarks to track improvements in engagement and organizational performance.
Can you help with international talent acquisition?
While our primary focus is the United States, our network and partnerships enable us to support select international talent acquisition needs through strategic collaborations.
