Waterstone Human Capital Expands U.S. Presence
On September 10, 2025, Waterstone Human Capital, a culture-driven executive search and leadership advisory firm, announced its acquisition of Hire Integrated, a U.S.-based professional recruitment company. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing Waterstone’s reach and capabilities in the American market.
As part of this expansion, Emily Rushton has been appointed as the new Managing Director and President of Waterstone USA. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, she will be responsible for leading Waterstone’s American operations and overseeing the integration of Hire Integrated into the broader Waterstone group of companies.
Strategic Growth Through Acquisition
“We are thrilled to welcome Hire Integrated to the Waterstone family,” said Marty Parker, founder and CEO of Waterstone Human Capital. “This acquisition enhances our professional recruitment capabilities while staying true to our core mission—helping organizations build and develop leaders who drive high-performance cultures and achieve measurable results.”
Hire Integrated is known for its customized recruitment solutions that align with client culture and business objectives. With a focus on relationship-building and personalized service, the firm has developed a reputation for helping businesses across various industries build high-performing teams.
Leadership with a Vision
Emily Rushton brings more than 20 years of experience in professional recruitment, organizational development, and culture-driven leadership. In her new role at Waterstone USA, she intends to deepen relationships with mid-market and private equity-backed organizations while expanding the firm’s client base throughout the United States.
“I am honored to lead Waterstone USA at this exciting juncture,” said Rushton. “We will build upon Waterstone’s strong foundation in executive search and leadership advisory services to deliver impactful results for our clients, candidates, and communities across North America.”
Rushton will also co-chair the newly launched America’s Most Admired Cultures program, modeled after the successful Canadian initiative. This program aims to recognize organizations that excel in creating and sustaining high-performance workplace cultures.
Building a Strong U.S. Footprint
This acquisition is Waterstone’s second major U.S. move in the past three years. In 2022, the firm acquired DRiWaterstone Human Capital in Arlington, Virginia. DRiWaterstone is a culture-centric executive search and leadership advisory firm that specializes in serving mission-driven organizations.
That acquisition enabled Waterstone to significantly deepen its presence in the U.S. and offer specialized services to nonprofits and purpose-driven enterprises. DRiWaterstone focuses on aligning leadership talent with organizational purpose to foster cultural and performance growth.
Enhancing Services Through Focus Insights
In 2023, Waterstone continued its expansion by acquiring Focus Insights, a consultancy known for its expertise in HR strategy, recruitment, team-building, change management, and leadership development. Focus Insights’ founder, Lori Moffatt, joined Waterstone as Managing Director at the Waterstone Culture Institute.
The firm’s proprietary assessment tools are designed to evaluate emotional intelligence, leadership potential, and interpersonal skills—critical attributes for building cohesive, effective teams. Focus Insights has worked with a wide range of clients, including Fortune 100 companies, further bolstering Waterstone’s capabilities.
Comprehensive Talent Solutions
Today, Waterstone Human Capital offers a full suite of services including retained executive search, professional recruitment, and leadership and culture advisory. These solutions are designed to help clients attract, retain, and develop the leaders and teams needed to drive performance and growth.
With approximately 60 percent of its revenue now generated from the U.S. and 40 percent from Canada, Waterstone is uniquely positioned as a cross-border partner for both mid-market and nonprofit organizations.
Founded in 2003 by Marty Parker, Waterstone Human Capital is also the creator of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures and Canada’s Most Admired CEO programs. The firm recently extended its brand with the launch of America’s Most Admired Cultures, reinforcing its commitment to promoting culture as a competitive business advantage.
Industry Recognition and Resources
Waterstone’s achievements and acquisitions have been recognized across the industry. Hunt Scanlon Media includes the firm in its Select Guide to America’s Top 250 Executive Search Firms, a comprehensive directory connecting organizations with top talent acquisition partners in various sectors.
As Waterstone continues to grow and integrate its newly acquired firms, it remains steadfast in its mission to help clients find and nurture leadership that drives cultural and organizational excellence.
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