Executive search
Bespoke, partner-led C-suite and functional searches across B2B Software, TMT, Tech-Enabled Services, Business Services, Industrial Services, and Healthcare. The core of what we do.
Blue/Water Search Partners — Precision in Talent. Depth in Strategy.
Blue/Water Search Partners is a boutique, retained executive search firm serving growth-stage and investment-backed companies — with particular depth in Private Equity.
Zero recycled databases. Strategic market mapping. Nimble by design.
What we do
Our platform covers every key milestone across the PE investment lifecycle, from sourcing to exit.
Pre-deal & diligence
Executive-led deal origination, custom sector mapping built from scratch rather than a database, and quick reads on target leadership for post-close success.
Leadership acceleration
"Rolling start" executive searches for headless deals or board members in waiting, so a new platform is never without the leaders it needs.
What sets us apart
We partner across the full search lifecycle, or at any stage where support is needed.
Nimble by design
Highly focused and hands-on. Every mandate is personally executed end to end, never delegated to a junior team.
Strategic market mapping
We market map beyond the obvious, targeting parallel industries, adjacent business models, and competitor platforms as hunting ground.
Zero recycled databases
No databases, no rolodexes. Every search starts from a blank slate, canvassing the full market to surface the entire addressable talent pool.
PE-aligned partnership
We build leadership teams that directly support a portfolio company's investment thesis. We speak your language and move at your pace.
Our market position
We serve growth-stage and investment-backed companies, with particular depth in Private Equity and its portfolio companies. No conflicts of interest.
Focused and hands-on
We bring limited bandwidth and hands-on delivery — nothing delegated, nothing handed off.
General athletes
We search across the full C-suite, not one function — CEOs, CFOs, CROs, board directors, and functional heads alike.
Strategic, not transactional
Every search starts with custom market research, not a recycled database, so you get unrestrained access to the full talent pool, not just whoever's on top of the rolodex.
How we work with you
Every engagement runs the same way, regardless of search size or sector.
Accountable
One point of contact, accountable from day one.
Transparent
You'll always know exactly where a search stands.
Consistent
Clear, consistent communication from kickoff to close.
Boutique, on purpose
Founder
Liliana Corona has 12+ years of retained executive search experience partnering with Private Equity sponsors and portfolio companies to build transformative C-suite leadership teams, across B2B software, tech-enabled services, business services, industrial services, healthcare, and consumer platforms.
Most recently VP at a boutique executive search firm, leading searches end to end from strategy and market mapping to candidate delivery. She previously built and scaled a research function from the ground up at a high-growth executive search firm, and began her career as head of research at a private equity diligence advisory and executive search firm specializing in software, healthcare IT, and tech-enabled services.
Thoughtful. High-integrity. High-performance.
12+ years in retained executive search
BS in Economics, San Diego State University
Serving clients across North America and Europe
Let's talk
Looking to strengthen your leadership bench or enhance talent diligence ahead of an investment?
Let's connect.
liliana@bluewatersearchpartners.com
(858) 910-1089
Serving clients across North America and Europe.