Author Archives

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Why Backchannels Are Essential to Executive Vetting

By Tess Fischer | March 9, 2026

Most executive mis-hires do not happen because a search firm failed to conduct a routine reference check. They happen because the process was surface level. That is why at Bespoke Partners, we are Built Different.

The Go-to-Market Executive Hunt: Tips for Navigating the Tight Market for Top Talent

By Tess Fischer | June 26, 2025

I recently had the chance to sit down with our CEO, Eric Walczykowski, during a recent Tailored Talent episode where I dove into why traditional recruiting approaches are failing in today’s hyper-competitive executive landscape. Simply put, what worked in 2023 just isn’t going to cut it in 2025’s fast-moving market.

Candidate-Driven Factors Tighten Go-to-Market Talent Market  

By Tess Fischer | November 14, 2024

I recently sat down with Bespoke Partners’ Andrew Reynolds, Vice President at Bespoke, and Tess Fischer, Partner in Bespoke’s GTM practice, to discuss the state of the GTM executive market, the factors driving the market, the changing compensation dynamics, and the importance of a data-driven, collaborative hiring process to secure the best GTM talent.

GTM’s Shifting Role in the Org Chart: Navigating Organizational Development within Go-to-Market Teams

By Tess Fischer | May 28, 2024

Change management as a discipline can help the leaders of PE backed companies and the private equity teams working with them to navigate these changes.

As companies strive to align their sales, marketing, and product development strategies more closely, the role of GTM teams within the organizational structure has seen significant shifts. We see a strong uptick in clients seeking guidance on structuring their GTM functions to achieve optimal organizational design and performance. Here’s our playbook for redefining GTM roles and responsibilities to better drive value creation.

Five Go-to-Market Skillsets for Driving Growth in Turbulent Economic Times

By Tess Fischer | February 15, 2023

Today a CFO is central to strategy and execution on the value creation plan for a private equity backed portfolio company. The CFO plays a critical role in shaping the path to the private equity backer’s investment thesis by driving growth while maintaining sound financial stewardship.
Reduced investor risk tolerance, depressed company valuations, and longer hold times to achieve investment thesis are on the horizon for firms that don’t proactively fortify their businesses.

Tess Fischer

Tess Fischer

Tess brings over 20 years of experience building and managing networks, clients and teams in private equity executive recruiting and human capital management. She has worked in and around private equity her entire career and is driven by an interest in people, organizations and the desire to build relationships that deliver results.

In her prior role as a Partner at Morgan Samuels, Tess led the firm’s Software and Tech-enabled Services practice. She worked closely with private equity funds and their portfolio companies to hire c-suite executive talent. Previously, Tess was Senior Executive Recruiter at Vista Consulting Group where she placed over 30 executives across Vista Equity Partners portfolio of SaaS companies every year. In her early career, Tess helped grow Gerson Lehrman Group’s Austin office and was Vice President of Network Development where she and her team recruited experts to assist the research strategies of leading hedge funds and private equity funds.