About Hunter Ambrose
Strategic Search. Modern Visibility. Human-Centered Leadership.
Hunter Ambrose is a boutique executive search and leadership advisory firm built for organizations where leadership alignment is mission-critical. We partner with healthcare systems, public utilities, family offices, and investor-backed companies to recruit leaders who deliver performance, stability, and vision.
Led by a small, senior team—Nicole Barbano, Justin Wade Sipe, and Julia Skoblova—Hunter Ambrose is intentionally structured to provide focused, high-touch service with the speed and discretion today's leadership landscape demands. We are supported by a national network of sector-specific consultants and advisors, allowing us to execute searches with precision and relevance.
We do more than recruit—we shape how your leadership brand shows up in the market. From job reels and SparkHire interview protocols to candidate coaching and strategic consulting, our approach is comprehensive, creative, and built for long-term impact.
Quick Facts
Healthcare Excellence: Retained by over 500 Critical Access Hospitals across 47 states since 2019
Comprehensive Partnership: Over 27% of our search clients partner with us for executive coaching or consulting services
National Reach: Operating across the United States with sector-specific expertise
Leadership Team: Three senior partners supported by a network of specialized consultants
Focus Areas: Healthcare systems, public utilities, law firms, family offices, and investor-backed companies
Service Philosophy: High-touch, boutique approach with enterprise-level results
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Nicole Barbano - Founder and Principal
As Founder and Principal of Hunter Ambrose, Nicole is an executive and corporate coach, speaker, and strategic advisor who leads all executive searches and advisory engagements. With nearly two decades of experience recruiting for healthcare, energy, legal, and private entities, she is known for her direct, strategy-driven approach and deep understanding of leadership dynamics.
Nicole works closely with CEOs, boards, investors, and leadership teams to align talent with business goals—whether through permanent placements, interim leadership, or leadership coaching. She leads the firm's coaching and masterclass offerings and frequently speaks on leadership development and market positioning. Nicole also advises candidates on high-stakes transitions and visibility strategy, helping leaders navigate complex career pivots and enhance their executive presence.
Her expertise spans both talent acquisition and leadership development, making her a trusted advisor for organizations and executives seeking transformational growth and strategic alignment.
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Justin Wade Sipe - Principal
As Principal at Hunter Ambrose, Justin oversees finance, vendor management, and operational support. He ensures the firm runs efficiently behind the scenes, managing budgets, systems, and external partnerships that support the delivery of executive search services.
With over 20 years of experience in operations and team leadership across multi-location retail and service enterprises, Justin brings a strong background in cost control, vendor oversight, and business development. His expertise spans large-scale operational management, including big-box retail environments and multi-site service operations. He also contributes to business development initiatives and supports select client engagements requiring operational insight.
As Nicole's husband and business partner, Justin plays a key role in maintaining the structure, stability, and strategic growth of the firm.
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Julia Skoblova - Creative Director
Based in Warsaw, Poland, Julia leads the firm's creative and digital marketing strategy, helping clients tell their story to attract top-tier talent. She produces Job Reels—short-form, high-impact recruitment videos that give candidates an authentic look into your organization and leadership culture, driving engagement across global markets.
Julia develops comprehensive integrated marketing plans to support priority searches, including social media campaigns, brand alignment, and digital visibility strategies. Her international perspective brings fresh insights to positioning clients in competitive talent markets, while her design expertise ensures every touchpoint reflects sophisticated, contemporary branding.
With a background in design and a deep understanding of narrative branding, Julia ensures that every engagement reflects the unique strengths of each client and creates meaningful connections with the right audience. Her work bridges cultural and geographic boundaries, helping organizations attract talent both locally and internationally.
About Hunter Ambrose
Strategic Search. Modern Visibility. Human-Centered Leadership.
Hunter Ambrose is a boutique executive search and leadership advisory firm built for organizations where leadership alignment is mission-critical. We partner with healthcare systems, public utilities, family offices, investor-backed companies, legal and financial organizations, and regional enterprises to recruit leaders who deliver performance, stability, and vision.
Led by Nicole Barbano, Justin Wade Sipe, and Julia Skoblova, Hunter Ambrose is intentionally structured as a boutique firm working with a limited number of clients each quarter. This ensures highly focused, senior-led execution with the speed and discretion today's leadership landscape demands. We are supported by a national network of sector-specific consultants and advisors, allowing us to execute searches with precision and relevance across the United States and internationally.
We do more than recruit—we shape how your leadership brand shows up in the market. From Job Reels and SparkHire video interview protocols to candidate coaching and strategic consulting, our approach is comprehensive, creative, and built for long-term impact. Our integrated recruitment strategy combines targeted search, video screening, candidate briefings, and weekly client updates, delivering a 91% candidate-to-interview rate with a one-year guarantee on all placements.
Based in Kansas City, Missouri, our location in the heart of the country gives us a national lens with regional sensitivity. While we're U.S.-based, we are a global firm retained by organizations in Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
Quick Facts
Healthcare Excellence: Retained by over 500 Critical Access Hospitals, Surgical and Imaging Centers, Tertiary facilities, and specialty physician practices across 47 states.
Comprehensive Partnership: Over 27% of our search clients partner with us for executive coaching or consulting services
Global Reach: Operating across the United States and internationally, with clients in Canada, Mexico, and the UK
Rural America Commitment: Deeply committed to solving leadership challenges in rural and underserved areas
SparkHire Pioneer: One of the first healthcare search firms to implement SparkHire video interviews over 10 years ago
Service Range: Executive search, interim leadership, strategic consulting, executive coaching, and corporate training
Performance Guarantee: 91% candidate-to-interview rate with a one-year guarantee on all placements
Leadership Focus: Senior leadership, director-level, and specialized roles across leadership, finance, nursing, information technology, revenue cycle, human resources, and general counsel
Our Services
Executive Search: Senior leadership and director-level roles with precision, speed, and long-term fit in mind.
Interim Leadership: Experienced interim leaders—CEOs, CFOs, CNOs, and others—placed as at-will employees offering flexibility, cost savings, and operational control.
Job Reels: Short-form videos produced by our in-house Creative Director that showcase your team, leadership culture, and community to drive candidate engagement.
Executive Coaching & Consulting: 1:1 and group coaching, masterclasses, and consulting services for boards, leadership teams, and professionals at career inflection points—available as stand-alone services or bundled with search.
Strategic Consulting: Comprehensive advisory services that extend beyond recruitment to shape organizational leadership strategy and market positioning.
Contact us
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