Top 17 MedTech Recruiters Driving Healthcare Innovation
Meet the best MedTech recruiters & headhunters known for placing top talent in healthcare companies. ↓
The MedTech industry is at the forefront of healthcare innovation, driven by groundbreaking technologies and advancements in medical devices, diagnostics, and life sciences. At the heart of this transformation are the top recruiters who specialize in identifying and placing exceptional talent in this fast-evolving sector. These experts are not only pivotal in sourcing leadership and specialized roles but also play a key role in shaping the future of healthcare.
Below is a curated list of the best MedTech recruiters, recognized for their ability to connect high-growth companies with top professionals who drive innovation and progress in the space.
- Joe Mullings
- David Krahe
- Robin Toft
- Amelie Bao
- Jhaymee Tynan
- Paula Rutledge
- Brian Cole
- Stacy Hostetler
- Mitch Robbins
- Debbie Winkelbauer
- Elena Kyria
- Adam Butler
- Julian Turner
- Tom Froggatt
- Oliver Drew
- Mathieu Pouletty
- Brian Mo
Below we provide more detailed profiles of each recruiter.
Joe Mullings
Corporate CPR Podcast.
Nationality: American
With over 30 years in MedTech recruitment, Joe leads one of the world’s top medtech search firms.
He has placed more than 8,000 professionals across 800+ companies in medical devices, healthtech, and life sciences. Mullings is known for thought leadership – producing videos, podcasts, and industry insights – and for pioneering digital content in recruiting.
His firm has a global reputation for building entire teams in surgical robotics and other cutting-edge sectors, making him a go-to recruiter for high-growth MedTech companies.
- LinkedIn: Joe Mullings
David Krahe
Nationality: American
David leads the Global Medical Devices & Diagnostics Practice at Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA), a top-tier executive search firm. Based in Dallas, he advises medtech companies worldwide on CEO and executive hires, bringing over 20 years of search experience in healthcare.
David joined RRA to strengthen their medtech expertise and has since conducted high-profile searches for Fortune 500 MedTech manufacturers, diagnostics giants, and innovative startups. He often works on roles that require a mix of technical knowledge and leadership skill – e.g., finding a GM for a robotics surgery division or a Chief Digital Officer for a diagnostic imaging firm. David is known for his strategic insight into industry trends and has written on the “future of MedTech leadership” for RRA, highlighting the need for leaders who straddle product and technology.
Under his guidance, RRA’s medtech practice has expanded across North America, Europe, and Asia. David Krahe’s global perspective and successful placement record at the highest levels make him one of the most influential recruiters in the MedTech executive search arena.
- LinkedIn: David Krahe
- X (Twitter): @dbkrahe
Robin Toft
Nationality: American
Robin is a veteran recruiter who founded Toft Group, a life sciences executive search firm she grew to $10M in revenues (acquired by ZRG in 2019).
She has 30+ years of industry experience and has placed over 500 executives in biotech, pharma, diagnostics, and medical device companies. Renowned for championing diversity, Toft specializes in placing women and underrepresented candidates in leadership roles. She authored “WE CAN: The Executive Women’s Guide to Career Advancement”, reflecting her commitment to advancing female leadership in MedTech. Robin’s influence and track record of building diverse executive teams have made her a top recruiter recognized across the industry.
- LinkedIn: Robin Toft
Amelie Bao
Nationality: Chinese
Building a team in Asia requires not just talent, but an understanding of local market dynamics. Success in MedTech here is about adapting to rapid change while staying ahead of the regulatory curve.
Amelie is one of Asia’s top MedTech recruiters, with nearly 20 years of experience in healthcare talent acquisition. Based in Shanghai, she leads a team at global recruiting firm Robert Walters, specializing in Commercial roles for MedTech (Sales, Marketing, Business Development) in the China/APAC region.
Amelie has a strong track record of placing candidates in multinational medical device companies expanding in Asia as well as high-growth Chinese MedTech firms. Her deep understanding of the local market – from regulatory nuances to the competitive landscape for device sales talent – makes her an invaluable partner for companies building teams in China. Amelie is also known for mentoring younger recruiters and consulting clients on hiring strategies in a fast-evolving market.
As the MedTech sector in Asia-Pacific booms, Amelie Bao’s bilingual skills, extensive network, and proven success in filling key roles place her among the very best medtech recruiters in the region.
- LinkedIn: Amelie Bao
Jhaymee Tynan
Nationality: American
Jhaymee is a thought leader in healthcare recruitment and a diversity advocate within the MedTech sphere. As a Principal at Korn Ferry (a leading executive search firm), she specializes in healthcare services and MedTech projects, often focusing on strategy and operational leadership roles.
Jhaymee gained attention for her work on inclusive sponsorship – she authored a book on advancing women of color in the workplace and frequently speaks about diversity in MedTech leadership. In her recruiting practice, Jhaymee leverages her consulting background to advise clients on building more inclusive executive teams. She has been involved in placing senior leaders at health systems, medical technology providers, and digital health startups.
Jhaymee’s influence extends beyond traditional search; she is shaping conversations on how MedTech firms can bridge talent gaps while also improving diversity and inclusion. Her unique blend of domain expertise, consulting acumen, and passion for inclusive leadership marks her as a top recruiter and a changemaker in the industry.
- LinkedIn: Jhaymee Tynan
Paula Rutledge
Nationality: American
Paula launched Legacy MEDSearch in 2005 and has built it into one of the most highly sought-after MedTech search firms in the USA.
With 40+ years in the medical device sector (including a prior career as a sales executive), Paula has deep domain expertise in devices and diagnostics. Her boutique firm punches above its weight – it’s been honored as one of Forbes’ “Best Executive Recruiting Firms in America” for the past several years. She and her team have successfully placed talent for emerging growth companies (e.g. surgical robotics startups) as well as global device leaders.
Paula’s hands-on approach (often embedding in clients’ strategic hiring plans) and her nationwide network have cemented her reputation as a top medtech recruiter and industry thought leader.
- LinkedIn: Paula Rutledge
Brian Cole
Nationality: American
Brian is a prominent U.S. medtech headhunter who founded MedTech Executive Search in 2016 after leading a top medical device practice at Kaye/Bassman International.
His firm quickly gained national attention, becoming one of the youngest companies to make Forbes’ list of America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms. Brian has been recruiting in the medical device industry since the early 1990s and even previously ran “Medical Device Recruiters”, a successful boutique search firm. Known for his deep network of relationships and ability to deliver on difficult searches, he has placed leadership talent in areas like cardiology devices, orthopedic implants, and diagnostics.
Brian’s decades of experience and industry recognition (e.g. Forbes ranking) underscore his status as one of the medtech recruiting elite.
- LinkedIn: Brian Cole
Stacy Hostetler
Nationality: American
Stacy heads the global Medical Technology sector at Heidrick & Struggles, one of the world’s top executive search firms. Based in San Francisco, she specializes in medical devices and the convergence of devices with digital health.
Stacy brings a unique blend of industry and search experience: she spent years at Medtronic and Biotronik in marketing roles before moving into executive search. Prior to joining Heidrick, she co-led the medtech practice at Egon Zehnder for 7+ years. Her background gives her insight into the technical and commercial side of medtech, enabling her to place CEOs, board members, and functional leaders for device manufacturers and healthtech innovators. Stacy is also active in MedTechWomen’s board prep initiatives, reflecting her commitment to developing diverse leadership.
Her global reach and track record make her a key figure in medtech talent acquisition.
- LinkedIn: Stacy Hostetler
Mitch Robbins
Nationality: American
Mitch is a MedTech recruitment specialist known for building high-performing Regulatory, Quality, and Clinical Affairs teams. As founder of The Anthony Michael Group (Denver, USA), he partners with medical device and healthtech companies to fill critical mid-to-senior roles in regulated industries.
Mitch is recognized among the top 1% of headhunters worldwide, a reflection of his recruiting success and client satisfaction. He also hosts “The MedTech Talent Lab” podcast, where he shares hiring insights and interviews industry leaders on talent trends. With about a decade in medtech staffing, Mitch has developed a niche in hard-to-fill QA/RA positions and is the go-to recruiter for many firms navigating complex regulatory landscapes.
His thought leadership and consistent results have earned him a strong following in the MedTech community.
- LinkedIn: Mitch Robbins
- X (Twitter): @MRtheRecruiter
Debbie Winkelbauer
Nationality: American
Debbie is a veteran recruiter who has spent over two decades placing talent in healthcare, medical devices, biotech, and pharma sectors. As co-founder and CEO of Surf Search (a boutique firm based in California), she has led successful searches across all levels – from staff engineers up to C-suite executives – for medical technology companies.
Debbie’s background in biology and clinical research gives her a solid technical footing when vetting candidates. She is praised by clients for her thoroughness and ability to find “impossible to find” candidates. Under her leadership, Surf Search has completed numerous searches in medtech R&D, manufacturing, quality, and sales roles, often in under tight timelines.
Debbie’s combination of industry knowledge, passion (she’s an avid surfer, reflecting the firm’s ethos of “work hard, play hard”), and personalized approach makes her one of the top medtech recruiters on the West Coast.
- LinkedIn: Debbie Winkelbauer
Elena Kyria
Nationality: Greek
Elena is a prominent Europe-based recruiter specializing in medical devices, diagnostics (IVD), and digital health talent. She founded Elemed in 2015 as a niche recruitment agency focusing on QA/RA, clinical, and technical roles within MedTech.
Under Elena’s leadership, Elemed has become “Europe’s leading medical device and diagnostics” recruitment firm, known for its community-building (she runs an MDR/IVDR LinkedIn forum) and industry expertise. Elena is also a noted podcast host and speaker, advocating for career development in MedTech. She works closely with both global manufacturers and startups across the EU, placing specialists and executives who drive innovation and compliance.
Her insight on evolving skill needs (e.g. more specialized regulatory experience) is frequently cited by industry sources. Elena’s passion for MedTech talent and her international network have established her as a top recruiter in the field.
- LinkedIn: Elena Kyria
Adam Butler
Nationality: British
Adam is a UK-based recruiter who founded Mason Harding to focus on talent needs in cutting-edge life science sectors, including genomics, diagnostics, AI in healthcare, and MedTech startups.
With a background as a clinical science graduate and nearly a decade at another recruitment firm, Adam launched Mason Harding in 2022 to bring a consultative approach to biotech/medtech hiring. He and his team support a range of companies from multinational pharma to early-stage diagnostics ventures, offering flexible models from contingency hires to retained executive searches. Adam is particularly interested in emerging fields like gene editing and digital health, enabling those sectors to scale their teams.
Known for his modern and passionate approach, Adam Butler has quickly made a mark, and was highlighted as a recruiter to watch in biotech/medtech by industry press. His ability to bridge scientific knowledge with recruiting acumen makes him a standout in the European MedTech talent market.
- LinkedIn: Adam Butler
Julian Turner
Nationality: British
Julian has been a specialist headhunter in Regulatory Affairs since 2005. Based in the UK, he leads Turner Regulatory Recruitment, a firm focused on placing RA professionals in pharma, biotech, and medical device companies. Julian’s deep experience has resulted in over 600 candidates placed in roles ensuring product safety and compliance.
His clients include major multinationals (BioMarin, Roche, Amgen) as well as smaller firms, and he is adept at finding talent for both permanent and interim regulatory roles. Known for understanding the highly specialized nature of regulatory jobs, Julian works closely with senior management and HR teams to define the ideal candidate before conducting targeted searches.
In an industry where compliance is critical, Julian Turner’s decades-long focus and success in RA recruiting have made him one of the top recruiters in that niche – a trusted partner for medtech and biopharma companies navigating complex global regulations.
- LinkedIn: Julian Turner
Tom Froggatt
Nationality: British
Tom has been recruiting for pharma and biotech (including MedTech) since 2006. He founded Singular in Cardiff to provide bespoke recruitment solutions to life science companies, with an emphasis on improving retention of hires.
Tom made his name placing managing directors and C-suite execs in clinical development and tech roles, and now at Singular he often helps VC-funded biotech/MedTech startups build out their leadership teams. He is known for developing thorough hiring strategies – starting with growth planning sessions – to ensure long-term fit. Tom’s philosophy is that in specialized sectors like MedTech, simply posting ads isn’t enough; strategic recruitment and proactive talent engagement are key.
His firm’s success in matching high-growth companies with the right leaders, and Tom’s 15+ years of insight, mark him as a top recruiter in the European MedTech and biotech scene.
- LinkedIn: Tom Froggatt
Oliver Drew
Nationality: British
Oliver co-leads the Global Executive Search division at Skills Alliance, splitting his time between London and San Francisco. He specializes in C-suite and board placements for life sciences, with particular focus on medical devices, animal health, and agtech. Despite being relatively early in his career (6+ years in search), Oliver has rapidly advanced due to his strong strategic approach to hiring.
He is responsible for refining Skills Alliance’s hiring strategy and excels in market mapping and candidate assessment to help clients understand the talent landscape. Oliver’s successful searches span drug discovery startups to global device manufacturers, and he covers roles in areas like clinical research, quality assurance, and technical operations. By providing data-driven insights and a consultative process, Oliver Drew has built a reputation as a rising star in executive recruitment.
His transatlantic experience and understanding of both European and U.S. MedTech markets add valuable perspective for companies looking for top-tier leadership talent.
- LinkedIn: Oliver Drew
Mathieu Pouletty
Nationality: French
Mathieu is at the helm of Pact & Partners’ U.S. operations, extending the firm’s life sciences and MedTech search expertise across North America. Based in Boston, Mathieu comes from a biomedical engineering background and has a family legacy in medical innovation (his father co-founded a major French biotech VC).
He brings this deep industry insight to his recruiting practice, specializing in executive and scientific roles for MedTech startups and pharma-biotech companies. Mathieu has a strong network in the venture capital and startup communities, enabling him to find dynamic leaders for emerging companies in digital health, medical AI, and device development. He frequently meets with CEOs and investors to understand the evolving needs in the MedTech market.
Known for his global outlook, Mathieu often bridges European talent with U.S. opportunities and vice versa. His leadership, along with Anne Gautier, has helped Pact & Partners service clients across three continents. Mathieu’s unique blend of technical knowledge, entrepreneurial mindset, and international recruitment experience makes him a key figure among MedTech headhunters globally.
- LinkedIn: Mathieu Pouletty
- X (Twitter): @MathieuPouletty
Brian Mo
Nationality: American
Brian is a seasoned recruiter and entrepreneur who founded GSM MedTech, a search firm dedicated to the medical devices industry. With over 20 years in MedTech recruitment, Brian has built an extensive network in areas such as diagnostics, imaging equipment, and surgical instruments.
GSM MedTech boasts a 23-year legacy in the field, having placed over 9,000 candidates globally, which is a testament to Brian’s leadership and reach. Based in Hong Kong and Los Angeles, he serves MedTech clients in both the East and West, focusing on executive and senior technical roles (e.g., R&D Director, VP of Quality, Country Manager). Brian’s approach emphasizes not just finding candidates, but ensuring talent retention – he consults on market compensation and cultural fit to reduce turnover.
Clients from venture-backed device startups to Fortune 500 giants rely on Brian’s insight into global talent trends. Through numerous successful placements and a reputation for integrity, Brian Mo has established himself as one of the premier MedTech recruiters connecting companies with industry specialists around the world.
- LinkedIn: Brian Mo
Sum Up
These highly respected recruiters have made a significant impact in the MedTech industry by expertly identifying top talent, driving innovation, and spearheading advancements in healthcare technology. However, working with these leaders directly can be challenging, as they are often in high demand and can be costly.
A more practical solution is partnering with EchoGlobal, where our deep industry knowledge and vast global network allow us to efficiently connect you with the ideal MedTech talent to fuel your growth.
Note: We’ve dedicated significant time and effort to creating and verifying this curated list of top professionals. However, if you believe a correction or addition is needed, feel free to reach out. We’ll gladly review and update the page.
Lou Reverchuk