Meet The Team

As one of the top Retained Executive Search firms in the US, Sal’s team is known for delivering niche executive talent and earning long term client trust/business.

Jillian Johnston-Hines serves as Senior Director of Talent Acquisition, bringing a strong combination of business acumen, research expertise, and relationship-building skills to her role. With a background in commercial casting and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater Studies from The University of Texas, she has built her career around understanding people, identifying talent, and connecting individuals with opportunities that drive success. After spending time in Los Angeles and Atlanta, where she ran a commercial casting company, met her husband, and welcomed their son, Jillian returned to Austin in 2023 to be closer to family in Austin and the DFW area. She is passionate about building strong, inclusive teams and fostering meaningful relationships that support both individual growth and the firm’s continued success.

Colleen Seeley serves as the Senior Director of Talent Acquisition where she leads high-level recruitment initiatives across executive and senior leadership roles. With a strong foundation in strategic sourcing, candidate engagement, and executive talent mapping, Colleen plays a pivotal role in aligning top-tier leadership talent with client organizations’ long-term growth objectives. A proud graduate of Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Colleen combines strategic insight with a people-first approach to recruitment. Outside of her professional role, Colleen and her husband have two wonderful children and she is an active volunteer at their school. She enjoys supporting her children’s education, extracurriculars and spending quality time with her family.

Michelle Smead brings more than 30 years of executive search experience to her affiliation with Salvatore Balistreri Executive Search. Her collaboration with Sal Balistreri began when they worked together at one of the world’s leading executive search firms, DHR International.

Known for building client relationships, Michelle helps organizations recruit senior leaders whose experience, leadership style, and values align with their business goals and culture. Clients value her business acumen, and personal commitment to each engagement. Her industry expertise spans financial services, family-owned enterprises, private equity, and manufacturing.

Michelle’s background includes Korn Ferry in Chicago, as well as KPMG, EY, Kearney, and DHR International. She is active in professional and nonprofit organizations, including the International Women’s Forum–Suncoast Chapter, Greater Naples Leadership, and the Kellogg Alumni Association. She has received an Award for Excellence and a Philanthropy Award in recognition of her professional achievements and contributions to the community.

Originally from Colorado, Michelle built her career in Chicago and remains engaged in the Naples and Chicago communities.