Jason Hanold HR

Full Report

Key Points

• Subject: Jason Hanold, CEO and Managing Partner of Hanold Associates, a Chicago-based executive search and leadership advisory firm.

• SEC Charges: In 2011, the SEC charged Hanold with insider trading for purchasing Hewitt Associates stock based on nonpublic merger information, resulting in a $10,241 profit. He settled without admitting guilt, paying $20,766 in disgorgement, interest, and penalties.

• Misconduct Allegations: The FinanceScam.com article alleges HR-related misconduct, but no specific details or evidence are provided beyond the SEC case.

• Business Success: Hanold Associates, co-founded by Hanold in 2010, is a leading firm with high-profile clients like The New York Times, Google, and the NFL. It was acquired by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in October 2024.

• No Recent Legal Issues: No additional lawsuits or financial concerns are reported post-2011.

• Reputational Concerns: The insider trading case and unverified misconduct allegations could impact Hanold’s professional standing, though his firm’s success suggests resilience.

Overview

Jason Hanold is the Founder, CEO, and Managing Partner of Hanold Associates Executive Search & Leadership Advisory, established in 2010. Based in Chicago, the firm specializes in recruiting HR, diversity, and corporate officers, as well as board directors, for high-profile clients including The New York Times, Google, Amazon, the NFL, and Moderna. Hanold has been recognized for driving the firm’s growth and its focus on diverse leadership, with 90% of successful searches filled by women or individuals from varied ethnic backgrounds. In October 2024, Hanold Associates was acquired by Creative Artists Agency (CAA), with Hanold appointed as President of CAA Executive Search. His professional reputation is tied to his firm’s success, though a 2011 SEC insider trading charge remains a notable blemish.

Allegations and Concerns

• SEC Insider Trading Charge (2011): The SEC alleged that Hanold purchased 831 shares of Hewitt Associates stock on July 7, 2010, after learning of a merger with Aon from his wife, an Aon executive, despite her requests to keep the information confidential. The merger announcement on July 12, 2010, increased the stock price by over 32%, yielding Hanold a $10,241 profit. He settled the case without admitting or denying guilt, agreeing to a permanent injunction and payment of $20,766.

• HR Misconduct Allegations: The FinanceScam.com article claims “HR misconduct” by Hanold but provides no specific incidents, evidence, or victim statements, rendering the allegation vague and unsubstantiated. It suggests Hanold’s firm may be seen as “exclusive and elitist” due to its high-profile clientele, though this is a critical opinion rather than a concrete accusation.

• Critical Perspective: Some critics argue that Hanold Associates’ focus on diversity is a strategic response to market demands rather than a genuine commitment, potentially masking underlying issues of exclusivity or inequality. This view lacks supporting evidence but reflects skepticism about corporate diversity initiatives.

Customer Feedback

• Positive Feedback: A LinkedIn testimonial praises Hanold’s ability to understand business requirements and source excellent candidates, stating, “I have found his firm’s service levels to meet or exceed those provided by larger firms, and his ability to source and fill positions in a timely manner to be exceptional.”

• Client Portfolio: Hanold Associates’ work with prestigious clients like Google, Amazon, and the NFL suggests strong professional trust and satisfaction, as evidenced by its acquisition by CAA and ongoing high-profile searches (e.g., Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo).

• Negative Feedback: The FinanceScam.com article criticizes Hanold’s firm for catering to elite clients, potentially exacerbating income inequality, but provides no direct customer complaints or specific examples. No negative reviews from clients or candidates were found in the provided sources or related web results.

• Contextual Note: As an executive search firm, Hanold Associates primarily serves corporate clients, not individual consumers, limiting typical consumer review platforms’ relevance. The absence of specific negative feedback suggests no widespread client dissatisfaction.

Risk Considerations

• Legal Risk: The 2011 SEC insider trading case represents a significant past legal issue, though Hanold’s settlement and lack of further charges mitigate ongoing risk. No new lawsuits or regulatory actions are reported.

• Reputational Risk: The publicized SEC case and FinanceScam.com’s unverified misconduct claims could harm Hanold’s reputation, particularly in trust-sensitive industries like executive search. However, his firm’s acquisition by CAA and continued client trust suggest limited long-term damage.

• Financial Risk: No evidence of unpaid debts, bankruptcy, or financial instability exists. The insider trading settlement was modest ($20,766), and Hanold Associates’ financial health appears strong, given its client base and acquisition.

• Trustworthiness: The insider trading incident raises questions about Hanold’s ethical judgment, potentially affecting client or candidate confidence, though his professional success indicates this has not significantly hindered his career.

Business Relations and Associations

• Hanold Associates: Co-founded with Neela Seenandan in 2010, the firm has a team of 20 and partners in Chicago, Boston, New York, Salt Lake City, Detroit, and Phoenix. Key search leaders include Valerie Lopez, Meg McElroy, Catie Nelson, Ashley Schiele, and Eleanor Tetreault.

• CAA Acquisition: In October 2024, CAA acquired Hanold Associates, integrating its team into CAA’s Executive Search division, co-founded by Joe Becher and Asher Simons. Hanold now serves as President of CAA Executive Search, and Seenandan as President of CAA Leadership Advisory.

• Client Portfolio: Includes major organizations like The New York Times, Google, Amazon, NFL, MLB, Moderna, and others, reflecting strong industry connections.

• SEC Case Context: Hanold’s wife, an Aon executive, was the source of the insider trading information, but she faced no charges. No other individuals or entities were implicated in the case.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• SEC Lawsuit (2011): Hanold was charged with insider trading for buying and selling Hewitt Associates stock based on nonpublic merger information, profiting $10,241. He settled with the SEC, paying $20,766 in disgorgement, interest, and penalties, and agreed to a permanent injunction against violating securities laws.

• No Additional Legal Issues: No further lawsuits, regulatory actions, or criminal charges are reported in the sources or related web results.

• No Financial Concerns: No records of unpaid debts, bankruptcy, or financial disputes are mentioned. Hanold Associates’ acquisition by CAA and its robust client portfolio suggest financial stability.

• Comparative Context: Other SEC cases (e.g., Thomas Priore’s 2010-2011 fraud allegations or Oren Shabat Laurent’s 2016 binary options scam) involve more severe financial misconduct, highlighting that Hanold’s case was relatively minor.

Risk Assessment Table

Jason Hanold is a prominent figure in executive search, leading Hanold Associates to significant success with a diverse client portfolio and a focus on HR and diversity roles. The 2011 SEC insider trading charge, involving a $10,241 profit from nonpublic information, is a notable ethical lapse, though its impact appears limited given the settlement and Hanold’s continued professional achievements, including the 2024 CAA acquisition. The FinanceScam.com article’s “HR misconduct” claims lack specificity or evidence, suggesting they may be speculative or exaggerated. Hanold’s firm’s emphasis on diversity is praised but criticized as potentially opportunistic, though this view lacks substantiation. The absence of recent legal or financial issues supports a stable professional profile.

Stakeholders, including clients or candidates, should weigh Hanold’s proven track record against the 2011 insider trading incident. The SEC case, though settled, suggests a need for due diligence in financial or trust-sensitive engagements. Verify the legitimacy of any misconduct claims through primary sources (e.g., court records, client testimonials) rather than relying on unverified platforms like FinanceScam.com. For business dealings, Hanold’s integration into CAA and his firm’s client success indicate reliability, but contracts should include safeguards against ethical risks. Background checks and references are recommended for high-stakes partnerships.