Russ Silvestri

With deep expertise in leadership and business transformation, Russ Silvestri has a distinguished 30-year business career serving the buy and sell sides of Wall Street, and as a director of public and private companies. He has a remarkable track record as a leader – in the role of executive, founder, board member, and Olympian. Clients benefit from his ability to identify and develop high-potential leadership talent and resolve the most complex business challenges.

Professional Focus

Investment banking expertise, serving the venture and private equity communities, corporations, individuals, and institutions
Founder and fund manager of public market small cap value fund
Provides leadership and talent advisory on mission-critical C-suite and board roles in financial services, private equity and venture capital, including portfolio companies
Proven expertise in capital raising, strategic analysis and planning, M&A, value realization strategies, business transformation, business development, marketing, team-building, leadership assessment and development
Elite sailing athlete representing the U.S. at the Olympic Games (Sydney 2000); competed in four Olympic Trials and the America’s Cup (1987 and 2000)

Business Expertise

Independent consultant, investor and board member in multiple private and public firms
Operating Partner at SKIRITAI Capital: Founder and Portfolio Manager of the Leonidas and L2 Opportunity Funds
Chief Operating Officer at Focus Capital
Managing Director, Corporate and Venture Services Groups at investment bank Robertson Stephens; prior roles as Vice President, Corporate Services and Principal, Corporate and Venture Services
Started career as an Account Executive at Dean Witter

Additional Expertise

Bachelor’s degree in business from USC Marshall School of Business

Areas of Expertise

Education & Certifications

United States Olympic Committee Award for Outstanding Male Athlete in Sailing (2000)
San Francisco Olympic Organizing Committee Leader for sailing events, actively involved in bid for 2024 Olympic Games
Pan American Games Silver Medal (1999)

California

4000 Bridgeway
Suite 201
Sausalito
United States

Case Studies

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Bridging the Gap: Finance Meets Operations in Agribusiness

How Boyden partnered with one of the world’s largest nut and grape producers to recruit transformative operational-finance leadership.

From Transition to Transformation: CFO Leadership in Premium Wine Operations

How Boyden navigated a high-stakes CFO search for a global wine producer’s U.S. subsidiary.

New CEO Sparks Rejuvenation in a 75-Year-Old Cooperative Retailer

Boyden partners with a regional retail cooperative to recruit transformative leadership and drive profitability.

Thought Leadership

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Blog Post

The Dynamics of Championship-Level Teamwork

How a cohesive team with well-defined jobs and clear direction wins a sailboat race, or gains the competitive edge for their clients in executive search.

Blog Post

Modern Budgeting: Why CFOs Must Balance AI and Human Insight

As the 2026 budgeting cycle begins, CFOs must modernize financial planning by integrating AI with robust data governance that empowers their teams to enhance accuracy, speed, and strategic decision-making without replacing human judgment.