Our Team

Michael started Patino Associates in 2008, practically on a dare. Armed with a decades worth of experience from building the Corporate Communications practice at Russell Reynolds and then Spencer Stuart, Michael set out to create a firm that would set the standard for recruiting leadership talent across any and all communications disciplines.

“Search was for me because I get great satisfaction out of finishing things – puzzles, to-do lists and, of course, searches. Our approach is to take our business personally. Even after we finish the search, we celebrate the media victories of our clients and candidates and share their pain when the press is merciless.“

Before launching Patino Associates, Michael was a consultant in the Corporate Communications Practice of Spencer Stuart, and before that developed the Corporate Communications Practice at Russell Reynolds Associates. Previously, Michael was an Account Manager with the Corporate Executive Board, a "best practices" consulting firm where he was responsible for over sixty relationships with Fortune 1000 firms. Before that, Michael worked as the Director of Special Projects in the Sports Division of E.J. Krause & Associates. Michael began his career in public relations at Entertainment Weekly, a Time Inc. publication.

Michael received his B.A. degree from Princeton University. Michael and his wife, Karyn, live in Vienna, VA with their three children, Eli, Lee, and Thomas.

Emily joins Patino Associates with 10 years of administrative experience in various industries including private equity, hospitality, technology and the performing arts. Most recently, she served as an Executive Assistant for the US Human Capital Management team at The Carlyle Group where her passion for finding new ways to enhance employee experiences continued to grow.

Prior to The Carlyle Group, Emily supported members of the executive team at Guest Services, Inc., a hospitality management company whose portfolio spans the management of national park concessions & lodging, senior living communities, luxury condos, hotels, & more. She has also previously worked in operations at Tableau Software, and served as the Education Coordinator at both Shakespeare Theatre Company & La Jolla Playhouse.

Emily received her bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA where she studied Spanish and International Business & Management.

In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and spoiling her black lab puppy, Maverick.