When Our Customer Wins, We Win.
Guided by Values. Driven by Service. Powered by People.
Our Values
At Naviga, our values are the foundation of everything we do. Integrity drives how we build partnerships, fostering trust through transparent, honest communication and a commitment to long-term success. Honesty guides our interactions, ensuring clarity with both clients and candidates, even in difficult conversations, so solutions are reached efficiently. Ethics shape every decision we make, keeping our process fair, respectful, and principled, and ensuring we never compromise for short-term gains.
These values define how we operate, how we support careers and how we build lasting relationships with the businesses and people we serve.
Boutique Flexibility. Big-Firm Results.
Agility
Naviga Recruiting Executive Search combines boutique agility with the capability to execute high-caliber searches comparable to the Big-5 industry executive search giants; Korn Ferry, Spencer Stuart, Heidrick & Struggles, Russell Reynolds Associates, and Egon Zehnder (The SHREK). Unlike large firms with vast red-tape and less personalized service, we offer a deeply customized, hands-on approach and immerse ourselves in your culture, framework, and strategic goals.
Our Talent Acquisiton process delivers exceptional results with direct communication and rapid responsiveness, acting as a true extension of your team. Clients appreciate how our personalized partnership secures the right leaders to drive their future growth, an experience that often exceeds expectations.
Built to Win Together
Our Team
Redefining Talent Acquisition with Passion
Our History
Naviga was founded in Chicago,IL by CEO Kathleen Steffey, a corporate recruiter with a deep understanding of the corporate hiring landscape. Beginning as a solo-preneur’s passion, her talent acquisition approach soon captured widespread attention in the corporate market. Her professional but agile approach towards talent selection and the talent acquisition process was widely received by employers across the US.
This foundation of professional agility and personalized recruiting service has been carefully cultivated within our team as Naviga has grown. Each employee is trained to embody these core principles, ensuring consistency and excellence in every search. In turn, this disciplined yet flexible approach has allowed us to successfully extend our impact beyond the U.S., delivering tailored talent acquisition solutions to a global marketplace.
Empowering the U.S. Special Operations Forces
Community Impact
Naviga respects the leadership, resilience, and strategic mindset of U.S. Special Operations Forces. These exceptional individuals face unique challenges when transitioning from military service to civilian careers, and we are committed to helping them translate their invaluable experience into successful professional opportunities.
We achieve this through personalized, hands-on support including executive coaching, resume refinement tailored to military-to-corporate translation, mentorship, and direct introductions to employers who value veteran talent. By acting as trusted advisors and advocates, we help SOF veterans confidently navigate the recruitment process, ensuring their skills and discipline shine in every interaction.
Why Choose Naviga?
We Deliver. They Talk.
I wanted to thank you for being responsible for this amazing new opportunity. Today was my first day and I felt like I was in Oz. I stepped out of a black and white old life into a new life in technicolor. You are my Glenda. Thank you!
Amrita, Placed with our client
Briggs Equipment
I was completely prepared for my interview. Everything was super helpful, especially the different tips and tricks that you gave me. There were things you included in there that I didn’t even think about.
Matt Sprague, Inbound B2B Sales professional
Placed with our client Bulletproof
Naviga doing the vetting process, being selective with candidates and having reasonable fees is a benefit to me. There’s a true vested interest in being successful & I liked the proactive communication between Kathleen, Julia and myself.
Reid Wilson
HR Director, Briggs
It felt like we were true partners with Naviga and that was really big. They took the time to understand who I was, who the firm was, what our needs were and our pain points. Instead of feeling like a business transaction, there was a partnership in Naviga helping us find the right person for the right reasons.
Nicholas Halar
Senior HR Associate, Forensic Risk Alliance
The wonderful part about working with Naviga is that I didn’t feel like just a number, I felt like a neighbor. I felt like they were equal parts advocates of me and an ambassador for the client which was a welcome surprise.
Amy Barkley, Director of Enterprise Sales
Spectrio
Throughout the whole process, Naviga was super organized and really provided a lot of great background information.
Jennifer Folsom, Sr. Sales Executive
Selerix Systems
We partnered with Naviga for a number of reasons. First, they were excellent communicators. They already had knowledge of the commercial industry, but they quickly got a sense of our business by listening to us and asking great questions. Next, the Naviga team was professional, approachable, and knowledgeable. Specifically, they had an extensive grasp of the European market with a specialization in sales. They also have a team of skilled recruiters and use a proven recruiting process based on years of experience and expertise. And finally, Naviga really formed a partnership with ITN. They were consultative and took the time to understand our needs without overselling.
Heike Tobin
Senior Recruiter, ITN Productions
The thing that really stood out to me about working with Naviga was the shared investment. The recruiter, the company, and I all wanted it to work and we worked together towards that goal. Overall, it was a nice experience.
Bill Menaghan, Senior Sales Director
Selerix Systems
Throughout the whole process, I felt so prepared by the Naviga Team. Everyone at Naviga was super helpful at prepping me to understand the purpose of the interview and who I was meeting with.
Jose Rios, Territory Sales Manager
Placed with our client HTS TentiQ
Naviga did a really good job of representing my interests and representing the interest of the client equally. It restored my faith in dealing with recruiters and set a new standard.
Brian Purcell, Vice President of Sales
Placed with our client Lockstep Technology Group
Once our new hire comes and rocks, we will hire another from you. You will always be my first stop.
PK Karunakaran
VP of Sales, Allsec Technologies
I received a lot of information about the company.
I found it to be really helpful to work with a recruiter. It takes some of the pressure off to have someone that you can ask more in depth questions.
Sara Staszak, HR Generalist
Placed with our client Sammons Warehouse Solutions
Helping You Navigate Your Career or Talent Search
Research & Insights from Naviga's Blog
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