Partnering with clients across all industry verticals, Ms. Kobayashi works with clients to ensure alignment of their Financial leadership team to the needs and strategy of the business.  Arlene works with executive leadership, boards and financial sponsors to identify and hire the right CFO for the current state of the business, including start-ups, pre-IPO, rapid growth, carve-outs, turnaround, or new financial sponsorship.  Her experience has spanned Fortune 500, privately-held, founder-led, private equity and venture-backed organizations.

Arlene also works with organizations on succession planning and hiring other key financial leadership positions including Chief Accounting Officer, Corporate Controllership, Financial Planning & Analysis, Tax, Treasury, Risk Management, Audit, Corporate Development and Strategy.

Ms. Kobayashi has over fifteen years of executive search and  leadership experience from both boutique and global search firms.  Prior to her career in executive search, Arlene held progressive Finance leadership roles within both private and global multi-national organizations within the Financial Services, Insurance and Technology sectors.

Arlene is an active member of Korn Ferry’s Diversity & Inclusion Council. She is passionate about helping strong female leaders and other underrepresented groups ascend into leadership positions. 

Ms. Kobayashi graduated with an Honors Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Windsor and also holds a Chartered Professional  Accountant (CPA, CMA) designation.