Executive Search

David Votano

Partner, Lifestyle & Retail, North America
David is a Partner at Elevate Talent, where he leads the Lifestyle and Retail practice across North America. With nearly 20 years of experience in executive search, David has become a trusted advisor to founders, investors, and boards, specializing in building leadership teams for the world’s most innovative consumer organizations.

David’s expertise sits at the increasingly blurred lines between lifestyle brands, sports, media, and entertainment. He is a firm believer that modern brands no longer exist in silos; they thrive at the intersection of these industries. David helps clients navigate this convergence by identifying visionary leaders who can leverage the power of sports and media to drive cultural relevance and commercial scale.

Prior to joining Elevate, David spent five years at True Search, where he was instrumental in building and growing their consumer practice, particularly with brands that sit across fashion, apparel, consumer goods, and technology. His career is defined by a deep commitment to partnership and a data-driven approach to leadership advisory.”

At Elevate, David works alongside a global team of experts to scale the firm’s North American presence, bridging the gap between traditional brand-building and the future of consumer engagement.