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M&A / Corporate Development

Trusted by the nation's top private equity firms & Fortune 1000 companies.

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Accelerating value through M&A.

We place M&A and Corporate Development leaders who translate investment theses into strategic growth.

M&A and Corporate Development leaders play a pivotal role in private equity–backed companies, driving inorganic growth and portfolio expansion. They identify, evaluate, and execute acquisitions that align with the company’s strategy and the fund’s investment thesis, directly influencing enterprise value and fund performance.

In fast-paced, investor-backed environments, these leaders balance aggressive growth targets with disciplined execution, managing deal structures, due diligence, and integration to realize synergies. The strongest executives combine financial acumen with strategic vision, guiding acquisitions from initial opportunity through measurable results.

ECA Partners recruits M&A and Corporate Development talent who deliver impact. Our candidates bridge strategy, finance, and operations to create lasting value across private equity portfolios, venture-backed platforms, and corporate development teams. Whether establishing a new M&A function or scaling an existing one, ECA identifies leaders who execute with speed, rigor, and precision—turning strategic intent into realized growth.

Our Areas of Expertise.

We deliver top executive talent and flexible consulting solutions across high-growth industries.

SECTORS

Private Equity Firms & Portcos

Private Equity Firms & Portcos

We match PE investors with leaders who unlock value.

Healthcare

Healthcare

ECA places leaders who drive growth, compliance, and better care.

Business Services

Business Services

ECA places leaders who unlock efficiency & growth in service models.

Industrials & Natural Resources

Industrials & Natural Resources

We find the savviest operators to optimize manufacturing businesses.

Consumer & Retail

Consumer & Retail

We identify executives who grow consumer brands and market presence.

Technology

Technology

From SaaS to AI, we recruit leaders driving innovation and scale.

Financial Services

Financial Services

ECA secures agile financial leaders to navigate shifting markets.

Meet your Practice Leads

Tony Topoleski, PhD

Tony Topoleski, PhD

Senior Director

Tony is a Senior Director in ECA Partners’ Finance Practice specializing in M&A and Corporate Development leadership search for private-equity–backed companies. He partners with investors and portfolio executives to recruit CFOs, Finance VPs, and transformation leaders who drive inorganic growth through acquisitions, integrations, and strategic partnerships. His work spans manufacturing, services, and consumer sectors, combining finance discipline with strategic insight. Tony holds a PhD from Northwestern University and was a Fulbright Scholar to Russia.

Zach Jones

Zach Jones

Senior Director

Zach is Senior Director of Consulting Solutions at ECA Partners, where he delivers interim and project-based leaders for Corporate Development and M&A functions. He partners with Fortune 1000 and investor-backed companies to deploy experienced consultants and executives who manage sourcing, diligence, valuation, and integration initiatives that advance growth strategy. Zach combines 15 years in consulting and talent strategy with a track record of building scalable deal teams. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Penn State University and is a former Teach For America corps member.

Evan Markgraf

Evan Markgraf

Senior Director

Evan is a Senior Director at ECA Partners focused on Corporate Development and M&A leadership search. He helps private-equity and venture-backed companies hire executives who drive inorganic growth, from pipeline development and diligence to integration and synergy realization. His mandates include permanent, interim, and project-based leadership roles. Before joining ECA, he worked at Korn Ferry in Los Angeles and began his search career recruiting nationally in wealth management. Evan earned a JD from Golden Gate University School of Law and a BA in International Relations from UC Santa Barbara.

Have a role you'd like to discuss?

Reach out. We’d be delighted to learn about your hiring goals.

Have a M&A / corporate development role you’d like to discuss?

Reach out. We'd be delighted to learn about your hiring goals.

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