Our people

Howard Pezim

Managing Director

Howard is co-founder and Managing Partner of Bedford—Canada’s largest independent executive search firm. For over 27 years, Howard has inspired leaders to choose his clients’ corporations for their careers. Howard’s particular areas of specialization include Life Sciences, Retail, Consumer Products, and Financial Services.

Bedford is the Toronto partner of TranSearch International. TranSearch has 59 offices worldwide. Twice in the past five years, Bedford has been named Global Office Of The Year, based on client satisfaction, innovation and revenue growth. Howard has been an integral part in making this possible.

Prior to founding Bedford, Howard served in a regional management capacity with a service corporation. Outside of work, Howard’s passions include his family, golf, and fitness training.

Steven Pezim

Managing Director

For the past 25 years, Steven has managed executive search assignments for a broad range of North American clients from early stage companies to global Fortune 1000s. He has served these sectors: technology/media/telecommunications, financial services, retail, consumer hard goods/soft goods and real estate. Steven is a Co-Founder and Managing Director of Bedford, which has become Canada’s largest, privately-held executive search firm.

Steven has been recognized as North America’s top Executive Recruiters (profiled in “The Career Makers”) and has developed a reputation for recruiting U.S.-based senior executives for Canadian and US-located assignments. In April 2008 Steven was profiled by Business Week as one of the “World’s Most Influential Head Hunters.” He is the Chairman of TRANSEARCH, North America, and is serving a second term on the Board of TRANSEARCH. Steven is based in Toronto, Canada.

His outside interests include high-performance driving, golfing, tennis, skiing and travel.

“The global talent wars are continuing to heat up. The first wave of Baby Boomers is starting to retire. There has never been a greater demand for executive leadership. We believe that our proprietary toolset and new partnerships position us very well to help our clients attract and retain extraordinary leaders with the right combination of intellect, proven skills and culture-fit personality.”

World’s most influential headhunters — Business Week

Russ Buckland

Managing Partner

Russ is Managing Partner and also Global Practice Leader for TRANSEARCH’s International Resources, Energy and Infrastructure practice. He is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities in executive search for the mining industry. Russ and his team of specialists also provide services to global engineering and construction firms, major oil and gas and energy clients, including oil-sands developers, energy producers and others involved in industrial services construction and products.

Russ joined Bedford in 1989, after a successful career with a number of leading Canadian and international resources, engineering and construction firms. His career in industry included roles as Vice President and Manager for Bechtel, Falconbridge, Canada Development Corporation, Kidd Creek Mines and The Irving Group Saint John Ship Building.

His combination of industry and executive-search experience provides a wealth of insight and knowledge to help clients solve critical staffing issues at corporate, project and operations levels.

Russ graduated from Carleton University, studied law at the University of Ottawa and completed Western University’s Executive Business program. He lives in Oakville, Ontario.

Dr. John O. Burdett

Bedford Leadership Advisor

John O. Burdett has a wealth of business experience as a senior executive on both sides of the Atlantic. As a consultant he has worked in thirty countries for clients that are household names.

John holds a Doctoral degree in Management Development and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (UK).

A recipient of the prestigious “Teacher of the Year” from FINTRA (Finland), John also received a teaching excellence award for his work on the executive programs at the University of Toronto. His teaching on the Executive MBA at the Helsinki University of Technology received like feedback.

John’s book on executive integration New Role, New Reality was shortlisted as book of the year by the US Society of Human Resource Management. His book Leaders Must Lead! (published in 2003) reached number three on one popular business best-seller list. His latest book Myth, Magic, Mindset: A template for organizational culture change (2008) is already in its second printing.

Frank Galati, CMA, MBA

Managing Partner

Frank is Managing Partner of Bedford’s Resource practice. He is also Global Practice Leader for TRANSEARCH’s International Resources, Energy and Infrastructure practice. The resource practice focuses exclusively on executive search and related services for the mining industry and resource sector globally.

Frank holds a BA, B Comm from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the University of Windsor. He also attended Harvard's executive leadership program. A Certified Management Accountant with twenty-five years experience in the C-Suite as both CFO and CEO, Frank brings a wealth of experience at both Board and operational level.

The Bedford Resource practice is a global practice; solving talent issues in South America, Asia, Mexico, Europe, Africa and North America. The practice has developed the executive compensation report for the mining industry and is sponsor of the CIM Young Leader’s Award, recognizing talent and executive potential within the resource sector.

Lisa Heidman, LLB

Senior Client Partner and North American Director, Bedford Legal

Lisa brings over 15 years of legal, business, board and executive search experience dealing with senior executives and best-in-class talent within a wide range of industries including financial, legal and professional services and associations, BtoB and BtoC consulting, media and entertainment, healthcare, technology, real estate and the not-for-profit sector.

Prior to joining Bedford as Client Partner, Lisa was a Principal with Ray & Berndtson and a Senior Consultant with Knightsbridge in Toronto. Before launching her career in Executive Search, Lisa practiced law in both Canada and the United States as a senior corporate attorney specializing in mergers and acquisitions. Lisa also served as President of an entrepreneurial media company and as an Executive Board Member and Legal Counsel to a prominent international business association.

Lisa graduated with distinction from the McGill Faculty of Law, qualified for the Dean’s List while studying at Harvard University and graduated with First Class Bachelor of Arts Honours from Queen’s University. Lisa is admitted to both the Ontario and Massachusetts Bars and successfully passed the New York State Bar. Lisa’s extensive legal, business, negotiation, and client-relationship skills add value to our Executive Search practice.

Hart Hillman, MBA

Partner

With more than 25 years experience in Consumer Technology, Electronics. Publishing/Media and Executive Search, Hart has held a number of presidential and senior sales and marketing roles in Fortune 500 companies. Hart’s experience includes executive search for key senior positions throughout North America and Europe.

Before choosing Bedford, Hart was Managing Partner at Kinley Connelly Executive Search and prior to that ran the Canadian Technology practice for Heidrick & Struggles. Before his decade in Executive Search, Hart was President for divisions of two Publishing/media companies, Prentice Hall/Simon & Schuster and IDG/Macmillan Books. Hart also spent more than a dozen years in senior sales and marketing roles for Compaq and Apple Computer. As well, Hart was General Manager for a national retail chain of consumer electronic outlets and cut his teeth as an owner and retail operator.

Hart serves on the Board of Directors for the University of Toronto Press and holds a Honours B.A. from York University in Psychology and English and graduated Dean’s List from the Rotman School/University of Toronto EMBA program.

Hart brings passion, energy and extensive experience as both a leader and recruiter of leaders to our team at Bedford. These attributes, combined with his keen focus on delivering distinctive value will give existing and new Bedford clients exceptional results.

Howard Lichtman, LLB, MBA

Chief Marketing Officer

Howard Lichtman serves as Bedford’s Virtual Chief Marketing Officer through his organization, The Lightning Group. Prior to founding The Lightning Group, Howard was Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Cineplex Odeon for much of his career. His numerous responsibilities at this publicly traded North American movie chain included marketing, promotions, sponsorships, internal and external communications, public relations, and investor and media relations.

Howard has also served on a number of Boards and advisory councils including: The Ontario Science Centre, as Vice-Chairman of the Board; The Toronto International Film Festival Marketing Committee; and the Schulich Business School Alumni Advisory Group.

In addition to his corporate successes, Howard’s educational background includes an MBA in Marketing (Schulich Business School) and a law degree (Osgoode Hall).

Paul Pittman

Executive Compensation Consultant

Paul is a globally experienced compensation expert specializing in executive and expatriate reward. Through his own consulting practice based in Toronto, The Human Well, he consults on these matters to many of Canada’s leading companies. Previously, Paul was Vice President Compensation for Alcan, RJR/Nabisco in Geneva and Director Compensation for  Massey Ferguson, as well as leading the HR practice for Andersen/Deloitte Canada.

Steve Litwin

Information Technology Consultant

Steve Litwin is a senior information technology executive with over 28 years experience. He helps our clients manage their technology challenges and provides a high level of expertise that allows organizations to achieve their technology-enabled business goals.

Prior to founding Litcom Information Services in 2003, Steve led the Canadian I.T. practice for Cap Gemini Canada (formerly Ernst & Young Management Consultants). Previously, he worked with a number of leading I.T. Solution providers including Deloitte & Touche Consulting, SHL Systemhouse, and Synerlogic (a division of Accenture). Steve has also lectured at University of Toronto on a number of I.T. related subjects.

Steve is a Certified Management Consultant and holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto as well as a Diploma in Computer Programming from Control Data Institute.

Navinder Binning

Principal

Navinder has gained valuable experience in executive search for clients in Canada and internationally, her focus is on supporting clients involved in mining and metals, oil and gas, energy, and resource development. Navinder brings a wealth of experience in customer service and government roles. She is a member of several industry associations including, the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), Prospector and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) and Women in Mining (WIM).

Erik Buckland

Principal

Erik joined us in 2004 and focuses on clients involved in mining and metals. Raised in Falconbridge in Northern Ontario, Erik is a graduate of Sheridan College. He has developed extensive understanding of the issues having an impact on mining and resource clients. Eric coordinates global searches with various TRANSEARCH partners.

Claire Floreani

Principal

Claire has over 16 years of experience in the IT and consulting industry. Prior to joining Bedford she occupied several business development and marketing positions (from Sales Rep to Business Unit Director) serving clients in the Telecom and Business-to-Business services markets. Claire graduated from HEC and speaks French, English and German.

Glenda Hirvela

Principal

Glenda has over 15 years of experience in executive search in Canada and the USA, where she worked with international and boutique search firms. At Bedford, she manages search and client/candidate relationships in these sectors: technology, telecommunications and media. Glenda holds an Honours BA from The University of Western Ontario.

Deborah Magidson

Principal

Deborah brings a unique blend of entrepreneur and artist to the clients of Bedford. She was Principal of her own retained executive search practice, Magidson Search, before joining us in 2005. There, she focused on mid- to senior-level mandates in sales, marketing (consumer and B2B), operations, communications, human resources and finance across a range of industries: communications, media, health sciences and retail. Before she embarked on her second career—executive search—Deborah was an international-award-winning documentary filmmaker. She wrote, produced and directed over 30 television documentaries. Deborah has an undergraduate degree in Philosophy from York University and completed an advanced filmmaking program at New York University.

Juan Moreno

Principal

Prior to joining Bedford, Juan spent over two years as a manager for the The Printing House. While supporting the day-to-day operations of the Brampton branch, Juan was also in charge of bringing new business opportunities to the company. Prior to his venture into management, Juan was a business development associate with The Printing House, where his task was to provide customer support as well as corporate account development to the management team.

Juan is a graduate from the University of Guelph, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Marketing management. He also competed in the Golf Varsity team for the University of Guelph.

Victoria Zylberberg Ritchie

Principal

Victoria joined Bedford as a Principal in 2009. Victoria offers Bedford clients deep understanding and experience at the Director, Vice President and Senior Executive level, across the technology, telecommunications, media and retail industries in both Canada and the United States. Prior to joining Bedford, Victoria worked for Kinley & Connelly Executive Search and gained frontline corporate recruitment and human resources experience in the education and healthcare sectors.

Victoria graduated with a BA (Hons) from the University of Toronto and is a Certified Human Resources Professional.

Laurie Scott

Principal

Laurie rejoined Bedford to support our upper-middle- and senior-management searches. She has conducted senior-executive searches for 17 years in the retail, consumer products, advanced technology, high tech, manufacturing, pulp and paper and industrial sectors. Laurie holds an Honours degree, with Distinction, in History and Psychology from the University of Toronto.

Gillian Tessis, LLB

Principal

Gillian brings over seven years of executive search experience across a broad spectrum of industries including: consumer packaged goods, retail, manufacturing, and technology. She has completed extensive search work at the senior executive, Vice President, and C-levels in both Canada and the United States.

Prior to joining Bedford, Gillian practiced law at one of Canada’s leading law firms. She received her LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School and holds a BA from The University of Western Ontario. Gillian was called to the Ontario Bar and is a member of The Law Society of Upper Canada.

Joanna Winter, LLB

Principal

Joanna joined Bedford to provide generalist executive search capability. She has conducted strategic and senior level searches in a variety of industries including consumer goods and retail, health sciences, technology, manufacturing and financial services. Before joining Bedford, Joanna practiced business law at one of Canada’s leading law firms. Joanna received her LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School and holds a BA from the University of Western Ontario. She was called to the Ontario Bar and is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada.