Donna Karnal

Managing Director, HR Recruitment
Donna Karnal bw cropped
donna@whistlerpartners.com
917.882.1053(W)
      

As a headhunter for headhunters, Donna Karnal has probably placed at least a couple of your favorite legal recruiters. A cold call to our founder, Sean, sparked an hour-long conversation about the challenges of recruiting legal recruiters. Instantly, Sean recognized a kindred spirit in Donna. She now heads Whistler's HR Recruitment arm, where she matches the best and the brightest recruitment professionals with the world's top law firms.

Donna is the founder of Ultimate Solutions Search, an executive search and coaching firm. Before USS, she was with another firm where she developed the “search to search” division, making it the revenue leader for three consecutive years. She also served as National Director of Recruiting for global search giant Korn/Ferry International.

Prior to her years in recruitment, Donna was a floor broker on the New York Stock Exchange for Goldman Sachs. She later joined Citibank’s Private Banking Division as a portfolio manager for the bank’s high-net-worth clients. 

 

testimonials about this recruiter:

I feel fortunate to have worked with Donna. Donna’s approach to career coaching was kind, thoughtful, optimistic, yet pragmatic. Donna actively listened to my situation and guided me as I explored opportunities within my field and contemplated career change. Donna made expert suggestions on my resume and cover letter and provided great advice on managing my LinkedIn and applying for online jobs. I whole heartedly would recommend Donna for your career coaching needs; you will not be disappointed!

Malani B.

 

I had an amazing experience working with Donna through a job change. Donna acted as not only an expert guiding me through the compensation negotiation process, but also helped me look within myself to really identify my needs and what I wanted from this change. Together we created my plan to for success after I got the role. Changing jobs creates upheaval in a person’s life but Donna helped to steady my mind and boost my confidence as I took on the challenge. It is a year later and I am happier than I have ever been in my career. Not only did I make the right choice in taking this job, my transition has been smooth and I am in a position for growth which I attribute to partnering with Donna to make it all happen.

 

Laura K.

 

Donna S. Karnal is not just a coach, but a guiding light on the journey to self-discovery and personal growth. Her empathic nature creates a safe space where one can truly open up without fear of judgment. Donna’s skill as a good listener is unparalleled; she doesn’t just hear the words, but understands the emotions and nuances behind them.
What sets Donna apart is her remarkable ability to quickly grasp the essence of a situation. It’s as if she has an innate talent for decoding the complexities of one’s thoughts and feelings. This gift, coupled with her keen insight, allows her to translate understanding into meaningful and actionable steps.
Donna doesn’t shy away from delving deep into what truly matters. Her knack for asking insightful questions serves as a powerful tool to drill down to the core of issues. Through this process, she helps uncover hidden truths and perspectives that pave the way for transformative change.
Working with Donna has been a profound and enriching experience. Her coaching goes beyond the surface, creating a lasting impact on both personal and professional aspects of life. If you’re seeking a coach who combines empathy, active listening, quick understanding, and a talent for drilling down to the heart of matters, Donna S. Karnal is the coach you’ve been looking for.

Jennifer B.