Talent Partner for Private Equity and
Venture Capital Backed Companies

We help PE and VC-backed technology companies build best-in class
leadership teams – fast.

Relationships. Reach. Results.

Redefining recruiting through trusted partnerships

We specialize in placing proven performers in executive leadership and critical growth roles where they can thrive – prioritizing culture fit, long-term-impact, and real results.

Why our Clients Choose Us

Founder-Led. Results-Driven.

Mod Talent Partners is an Austin-based search firm with national reach. Founder and CEO, Emily Thawley, launched MOD to bring a smarter, faster, and more personalized approach to hiring—especially for high-growth, high-stakes environments within private equity and venture-backed companies.

In today’s market, success depends on more than just experience—it requires leaders who can drive meaningful outcomes. As former operators, we understand what it takes to succeed in high-growth environments. Our team combines deep domain expertise, an unmatched network, and a proven process to identify and place transformative leaders who create long-term value.

Whether you’re scaling quickly, entering a new market, or optimizing a portfolio company, we are your strategic partner in securing the talent that will drive results. With the right leadership in place, we help companies improve returns and realize their full potential.

Our Process

We build lasting relationships that speak for themselves

Hiring for a key role on my product team felt like a daunting challenge—the requirements were so unique and specific that it almost seemed impossible. Then I began working with Mod Talent Patners. Emily brought the expertise, network, and tenacity needed to surface top candidates and guide us through to a successful hire. Our leadership team was thrilled with the resulting hire and we agree that we couldn’t have done it without Emily's expert help.
Kelly Harward, VP of Product Management, Living Security

"I’ve had the pleasure of working with Emily over the past few years, and she’s been an outstanding recruiting partner. She truly understands our hiring needs and consistently delivers strong candidates. Emily brings great energy, communicates clearly, and genuinely cares about finding the right fit—not just for the role, but for the team. If you're looking for a dedicated and committed partner to help you source quality candidates, I highly recommend working with her and her team."
Freesia Chen, Head of Human Resources, Fama

Emily and the rest of the team at MOD talent partners were phenomenal to work with on a tough candidate search that we had struggled with when we tried to do it on our own. They really took the time to get to know our company and understand the unique requirements for the role. Through every step of the process, Emily was attentive, responsive and insightful while also having a great touch with all the candidates involved in the process. I highly recommend using MOD Talent Partners for your next search.”
Tom Klenotic, VP Finance & Human Resources, RVshare

"Emily and her team were impressive from the start with their genuine understanding of our needs. We had spent months searching for very specific roles and they presented new, highly qualified candidates in a short period of time. Throughout the process, Emily was insightful, and communicative, and felt like a true extension of our team. I would highly recommend Mod Recruiting to anyone."
Brian Heimann, VP of Marketing, Solsten

“I'm happy to give Emily and Mod Talent Partners my full-throated recommendation. This isn't because she helped me land a CFO role at a growing tech company. Emily deserves props for finding me amongst a sea of people like me (at least on paper); then she helped navigate things to a successful conclusion -- and I do think it's a great fit from both sides. From what I've seen, Emily is very thoughtful and diligent; she balances the needs and desires of candidates and her clients. The proof is in the pudding: She found me and put me in the position to do what I do best for her client."

Emily has been a great partner through the recruiting process. She did a great job positioning me as a candidate and the company and role as a good fit for me. She was attentive and communicative through the whole process. During the offer stage, she helped to negotiate a strong offer, then has kept in close touch through the onboarding process. I appreciate very much her professionalism and personal approach to executive search and would recommend her as a strategic recruiting partner.

“With Emily’s help, I was able to field multiple opportunities and ultimately, accept a position that I’m excited about. Her guidance, transparency, and constant communication helped me to pick an organization that really values my skill set. I’m starting this new chapter with loads of confidence that I made the right choice, thanks to Emily and the Mod Recruiting team!”