Curators & Confidants passionate about building relationships driven by creativity and trust.

For over 25 years, Leslie Kay and Hillary Black have been connecting top pedigree talent with advertising agencies, branding firms and direct-to-clients. Leslie, Hillary and the firm’s team of talent managers specialize in identifying, educating and counseling talent in all areas of career development, with an established reputation for their approach to staffing – driven by human insight and integrity.

Through three core service offerings, Kay & Black offers talent acquisition, outplacement services, and coaching through learning and development workshops. We believe in nurturing talent as well as advocating for our clients’ needs so that all can find their most successful and satisfying career relationship.

Kay & Black is also equally set to respond to the ever-changing advertising atmosphere and client needs in a constantly evolving landscape. Together, we are equipped not only to locate the best talent for your openings, but to understand each unique culture to properly match the human behind the talent. Creative problem solving is not just part of our vision at Kay & Black—it’s something we do every day.

Certified Women's Business Enterprise

Divisions

RECRUITMENT

Kay & Black’s core division recruits and represents talent at all stages in their careers, from entry to executive level.

WORKSHOPS

Campus educates all levels of talent, from those who have recently graduated to those who are seasoned professionals.

COACHING

perQ coaches and consults entry to executive-level talent in one-on-one sessions to support both individuals as well as firms in need of outplacement services.

Divisions

RECRUITMENT

Kay & Black’s core division recruits and represents talent at all stages in their careers, from entry to executive level.

WORKSHOPS

Campus educates all levels of talent, from those who have recently graduated to those who are seasoned professionals.

COACHING

perQ coaches and consults entry to executive-level talent in one-on-one sessions to support both individuals as well as firms in need of outplacement services.

A  Peek At Connections Made

Keeping Us Humble

  • Hillary and Leslie are fantastic partners.  They consistently deliver great talent and are on top of my speed dial list whenever I need to find that perfect person to add to my Creative team.

    Kathy Delaney Global CCO Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness
  • Leslie and Hillary have the deepest rolodex and biggest hearts in the business.  They go above and beyond to understand the exact needs of the job to match with the best candidates.  I feel I can call them anytime day or night and they are on the case in no time.

    Bill Oberlander Executive Creative Director, OBERLAND (Small Agency of The Year 2018)
  • The best thing about working with Hillary and Kay & Black is that they care so much about the human experience. They won’t just send a candidate befitting the standard criteria, they’ll go above and beyond to ensure submitted candidates are not only A list talent, but those who will compliment and promote a positive and creative culture as well. Hillary has also been an amazing career mentor to me, always making time for the people she meets along the way, and that is invaluable.

    Heather Beck Creative Resource Director at Momentum Worldwide
  • Kay & Black found us the perfect team to run one of our most important accounts. It was a very hard-to-fill role and they nailed it! We constantly remark that they totally get our culture and find us talent that’s the right fit. That's no easy task and we find ourselves saying "thank you" on a weekly basis.

    Sandy Greenberg The Terri & Sandy Solutioin (Small Agency of The Year 2017)
  • Since Kay & Black’s grounding and honest talk I’ve realized that advocating for myself actually makes me look better. Who wouldn’t want to invest in someone who is confident, knows their worth and isn’t afraid to reasonably negotiate?

    Malaika Danovitz SVP, Creative Director, Publicis
  • Kay & Black came to speak at my school and they sure know about the etiquette, the hustle, and the industry. They offered incredible insight from both job seekers and agencies. In less than two hours they really made us feel ready to go out to the real world.

    Aaron Cheng Student Art Director
  • Kay & Black's PerQ should be named “Realness.” When campus discusses the ins-and-outs of your upcoming job-hunt, be prepared to hear about how people landed their dream jobs, nailed interviews, or had a great book but bombed an interview. Their information is current and their tone is honest, down-to-earth, and real. So while getting a creative job can seem overwhelming, the team at Kay & Black make it actionable and achievable.

    Gina Collura Adjunct Advertising Professor FIT
  • I had the privilege of attending a career workshop hosted by Kay & Black. I was so impressed by the knowledge and advice shared by the panel, the real conversations that were happening from the Q&A, and the overall energy from every person in the room. I heard the advice I needed, and even more importantly, the advice I didn’t even know I needed. I left feeling empowered, focused and ready to take the next step in my career.

    Alex Fontova Senior Community Manager, WeWork
  • After 15+ years as an agency creative, Hillary at PerQ was invaluable in helping navigate my entry into freelance. She ensured I didn’t undervalue myself and considered details I wouldn’t have thought of, like out-of-state labor laws. I love working with PerQ because it gives me peace of mind and lets me to concentrate on the creative.

    David Waraksa Freelance Creative Director
  • Kathryn is an amazing coach! She guided me through my confusion during a difficult transition and connected me to my true passion and clarity. She and I discovered many ways to stay focused on my path. We did exercises that are useful for life! I truly feel I’m living a more positive life than I was before.

    Ying Deng Studio Manager
  • Kathryn’s coaching presence and ability to hold the space and my focus were gifts I really valued. In particular, creating a strong a clear personal purpose statement (that I continue to use with ease and resonance) was an extraordinary experience with an outcome that remains energetically strong.... As a result I feel strong and clear in who I am in my expanded version of myself. I loved and appreciated that Kathryn truly wanted to support me. Her easy laughter and deep caring made this experience a very special one that will remain with me. I found her to be generous and humble and always in service of "me".

    Patti Martin The TJX Companies
  • I had Kathryn as a career coach. She was amazing - she helped me get my mind clear. She has great tools to make you feel confident, and know what you want to do with your life and career. Thank you again Kathryn, you’re the best!

    Cindy Pallavidino Designer
  • PerQ helped me change and shift many assumptions that were getting in my way, allowing me to better understand my skillset and opportunities, and ultimately move forward in my career.

    Senior Designer & Strategist
  • Kathryn and the Kay & Black team are truly the cream of crop. Hard working. Very dialed in. Loads of integrity. Helpful. And genuinely nice people to boot!

    Creative Director
  • I was starting the job hunt in Nashville which is my new home, after 4+ years at an agency in NY (and 10 years in NY), and I wanted to make a career change. I really didn't know where to start... Kathryn helped me focus and master my LinkedIn and sharing my skills, which then transferred to me updating my resume - it was a ripple effect and PerQ gave me the tools I needed to get started on the job hunt. I even got kudos from random contacts on LinkedIn on how great my profile looked!

    Katie Koenig Account Director
  • In just a single session, PerQ helped me see my own industry through a new perspective and gave me at least a dozen tips to improve my approach.

    Creative Director / Copywriter
  • Before working with PerQ I was in need of a quick injection of confidence and some direction in terms of identifying where my skills and passions intersected. I also needed help with interview technique and to extend my research into identifying opportunities. I needed a partner in crime to attack this job search full on. That's what I got. I was already on the path but needed someone to hold my hand for a few weeks and sprint with me toward the finish line.

    Rebecca Shine Senior Strategist
  • When I started with PerQ, I was in the beginning stages of opening a business. Looking back, I was so nervous and self-conscious, though I didn’t know it then. Through working with Kathryn, I delved deeper into myself, confronted saboteurs and restrictive thinking. I grew not just as a new business owner but as a person. Now I am confidently running a new business and continue my sessions with Kathryn, as well as falling back on all of the tools we have created over the last 7 months

    Gus Baxter Founder/Owner
  • I was in the middle of a long job search process and had started to wonder if it was something about me or something that I was doing wrong that was preventing me from landing a great new role. My coach helped me gain the perspective I needed on the industry, as well as my own strengths and how I was approaching my search to help me regain my confidence and take a more optimistic attitude toward my current job while I continued my search. I walked away with some new realizations about myself and how I operate, as well as tome techniques to help me be my best self at work. I'm happy to report I landed a great new job a few months later and one of the things that impressed them was my confidence and positive attitude!

    Executive Creative Director
  • As a leader, after working with PerQ the biggest difference my coworkers and our company leadership noticed is the way I communicate with others. I am much more aware of my own and my team's needs. I am able to identify emotions and not let them control a situation. Through PerQ, I learned how to better manage my own stress and my team's. I have been actively practicing compassionate communication, which has significantly improved my relationships inside & outside of the office!

    Marketing Director
  • Being out of the work force for about a year and a half to be a stay at home dad took at toll on my identity as a professional... I was in a dark and desperate place and things seemed hopeless. Luckily my wife referred me to Hillary. Hillary was my beacon in the darkness... Hillary and PerQ were able to see potential in me that was dormant and helped me to bring it to the forefront for potential employers to see. Thanks to my mentorship sessions... I was able to land a job in my field!

    Daven Falconer Producer
  • The feedback and advice PerQ gave me was valuable on many levels. In an incredibly competitive job landscape, there’s no substitute for getting honest advice from someone you know is truly looking out for you.

    Louis Wittig Creative Director
  • Kay & Black is fantastic. The team is wonderful and easy to talk to and the wisdom shared with me through our coaching session was invaluable. I am so glad I met Campus and would highly recommend them. PerQ is lovely, relatable, and many years of experience give PerQ an infinite repository of wisdom that would benefit anyone looking for career advice.

    Cari Sekendur Branding Designer
  • Kay & Black understands creative in a way that few talent agencies do. They’re also highly attuned to what today’s hiring managers are looking for and how to make you and your work stand out. Hillary and the K&B team performed a thorough review and critique of my portfolio and offered great advice on what to cut, what to keep and what to prioritize.

    David Muldoon Creative Director
  • I not only found the event hosted by Kay & Black to be extremely helpful, but also incredibly uplifting. Hearing Hillary & Kathryn speak honestly about their past mistakes and their professional triumphs allowed others to openly share their own questions and concerns. It’s refreshing and reaffirming to know that other women are equally interested in listening and sharing advice and these events are a great place to see that.

    Vicky Shum Visual Designer
  • Kay & Black's workshop was very empowering.  It made me think about the bigger question...how do I get to where I want to be? After the workshop, I was relieved to know that it is okay not knowing all the answers, but having confidence in myself is paramount as I make the journey in finding those answers. I loved the leaders and participants at the event - a wonderfully curated mix!

    Producer
  • I attended Kay & Black's digital networking event at General Assembly and found it really worthwhile. As an introvert, I was definitely encouraged & feeling more confident about networking after. And shaking the stress out was great. I actually emailed a long-lost friend using tips from the talk, and it turns out she was really happy to hear from me. We hopped on a call, and she offered some awesome ideas for my job search!

    Lisa Hwang Data Scientist
  • I attended Digital Networking with General Assembly. I loved Hillary & Kathryn's tips on how to find someone's email address, how to keep track of your connections, and best of all how to frame up your networking request. Because of the workshop, I now have confidence in reaching out to people when networking. I loved the two leaders of the session and their energy and passion for the subject.

    Jane Freiman Founder, Smart Kitchen Insights Group (Virtual Test Kitchen)
  • Hillary is a long-time member and friend of The One Club for Creativity and has participated in numerous events as a panelist, portfolio reviewer and mentor to the creative community. Hillary's breadth of knowledge and empathetic nature allows her to connect with and motivate the audience on a deeper level. Hillary and Kay & Black exemplify the kind of speakers we would invite back to speak at future events. 

    Kasia Karolak Gender Equality Program Manager, The One Club for Creativity

Keeping Us Humble

  • Hillary and Leslie are fantastic partners.  They consistently deliver great talent and are on top of my speed dial list whenever I need to find that perfect person to add to my Creative team.

    Kathy Delaney Global CCO Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness
  • Leslie and Hillary have the deepest rolodex and biggest hearts in the business.  They go above and beyond to understand the exact needs of the job to match with the best candidates.  I feel I can call them anytime day or night and they are on the case in no time.

    Bill Oberlander Executive Creative Director, OBERLAND (Small Agency of The Year 2018)
  • The best thing about working with Hillary and Kay & Black is that they care so much about the human experience. They won’t just send a candidate befitting the standard criteria, they’ll go above and beyond to ensure submitted candidates are not only A list talent, but those who will compliment and promote a positive and creative culture as well. Hillary has also been an amazing career mentor to me, always making time for the people she meets along the way, and that is invaluable.

    Heather Beck Creative Resource Director at Momentum Worldwide
  • Kay & Black found us the perfect team to run one of our most important accounts. It was a very hard-to-fill role and they nailed it! We constantly remark that they totally get our culture and find us talent that’s the right fit. That's no easy task and we find ourselves saying "thank you" on a weekly basis.

    Sandy Greenberg The Terri & Sandy Solutioin (Small Agency of The Year 2017)
  • Since Kay & Black’s grounding and honest talk I’ve realized that advocating for myself actually makes me look better. Who wouldn’t want to invest in someone who is confident, knows their worth and isn’t afraid to reasonably negotiate?

    Malaika Danovitz SVP, Creative Director, Publicis
  • Kay & Black came to speak at my school and they sure know about the etiquette, the hustle, and the industry. They offered incredible insight from both job seekers and agencies. In less than two hours they really made us feel ready to go out to the real world.

    Aaron Cheng Student Art Director
  • Kay & Black's PerQ should be named “Realness.” When campus discusses the ins-and-outs of your upcoming job-hunt, be prepared to hear about how people landed their dream jobs, nailed interviews, or had a great book but bombed an interview. Their information is current and their tone is honest, down-to-earth, and real. So while getting a creative job can seem overwhelming, the team at Kay & Black make it actionable and achievable.

    Gina Collura Adjunct Advertising Professor FIT
  • I had the privilege of attending a career workshop hosted by Kay & Black. I was so impressed by the knowledge and advice shared by the panel, the real conversations that were happening from the Q&A, and the overall energy from every person in the room. I heard the advice I needed, and even more importantly, the advice I didn’t even know I needed. I left feeling empowered, focused and ready to take the next step in my career.

    Alex Fontova Senior Community Manager, WeWork
  • After 15+ years as an agency creative, Hillary at PerQ was invaluable in helping navigate my entry into freelance. She ensured I didn’t undervalue myself and considered details I wouldn’t have thought of, like out-of-state labor laws. I love working with PerQ because it gives me peace of mind and lets me to concentrate on the creative.

    David Waraksa Freelance Creative Director
  • Kathryn is an amazing coach! She guided me through my confusion during a difficult transition and connected me to my true passion and clarity. She and I discovered many ways to stay focused on my path. We did exercises that are useful for life! I truly feel I’m living a more positive life than I was before.

    Ying Deng Studio Manager
  • Kathryn’s coaching presence and ability to hold the space and my focus were gifts I really valued. In particular, creating a strong a clear personal purpose statement (that I continue to use with ease and resonance) was an extraordinary experience with an outcome that remains energetically strong.... As a result I feel strong and clear in who I am in my expanded version of myself. I loved and appreciated that Kathryn truly wanted to support me. Her easy laughter and deep caring made this experience a very special one that will remain with me. I found her to be generous and humble and always in service of "me".

    Patti Martin The TJX Companies
  • I had Kathryn as a career coach. She was amazing - she helped me get my mind clear. She has great tools to make you feel confident, and know what you want to do with your life and career. Thank you again Kathryn, you’re the best!

    Cindy Pallavidino Designer
  • PerQ helped me change and shift many assumptions that were getting in my way, allowing me to better understand my skillset and opportunities, and ultimately move forward in my career.

    Senior Designer & Strategist
  • Kathryn and the Kay & Black team are truly the cream of crop. Hard working. Very dialed in. Loads of integrity. Helpful. And genuinely nice people to boot!

    Creative Director
  • I was starting the job hunt in Nashville which is my new home, after 4+ years at an agency in NY (and 10 years in NY), and I wanted to make a career change. I really didn't know where to start... Kathryn helped me focus and master my LinkedIn and sharing my skills, which then transferred to me updating my resume - it was a ripple effect and PerQ gave me the tools I needed to get started on the job hunt. I even got kudos from random contacts on LinkedIn on how great my profile looked!

    Katie Koenig Account Director
  • In just a single session, PerQ helped me see my own industry through a new perspective and gave me at least a dozen tips to improve my approach.

    Creative Director / Copywriter
  • Before working with PerQ I was in need of a quick injection of confidence and some direction in terms of identifying where my skills and passions intersected. I also needed help with interview technique and to extend my research into identifying opportunities. I needed a partner in crime to attack this job search full on. That's what I got. I was already on the path but needed someone to hold my hand for a few weeks and sprint with me toward the finish line.

    Rebecca Shine Senior Strategist
  • When I started with PerQ, I was in the beginning stages of opening a business. Looking back, I was so nervous and self-conscious, though I didn’t know it then. Through working with Kathryn, I delved deeper into myself, confronted saboteurs and restrictive thinking. I grew not just as a new business owner but as a person. Now I am confidently running a new business and continue my sessions with Kathryn, as well as falling back on all of the tools we have created over the last 7 months

    Gus Baxter Founder/Owner
  • I was in the middle of a long job search process and had started to wonder if it was something about me or something that I was doing wrong that was preventing me from landing a great new role. My coach helped me gain the perspective I needed on the industry, as well as my own strengths and how I was approaching my search to help me regain my confidence and take a more optimistic attitude toward my current job while I continued my search. I walked away with some new realizations about myself and how I operate, as well as tome techniques to help me be my best self at work. I'm happy to report I landed a great new job a few months later and one of the things that impressed them was my confidence and positive attitude!

    Executive Creative Director
  • As a leader, after working with PerQ the biggest difference my coworkers and our company leadership noticed is the way I communicate with others. I am much more aware of my own and my team's needs. I am able to identify emotions and not let them control a situation. Through PerQ, I learned how to better manage my own stress and my team's. I have been actively practicing compassionate communication, which has significantly improved my relationships inside & outside of the office!

    Marketing Director
  • Being out of the work force for about a year and a half to be a stay at home dad took at toll on my identity as a professional... I was in a dark and desperate place and things seemed hopeless. Luckily my wife referred me to Hillary. Hillary was my beacon in the darkness... Hillary and PerQ were able to see potential in me that was dormant and helped me to bring it to the forefront for potential employers to see. Thanks to my mentorship sessions... I was able to land a job in my field!

    Daven Falconer Producer
  • The feedback and advice PerQ gave me was valuable on many levels. In an incredibly competitive job landscape, there’s no substitute for getting honest advice from someone you know is truly looking out for you.

    Louis Wittig Creative Director
  • Kay & Black is fantastic. The team is wonderful and easy to talk to and the wisdom shared with me through our coaching session was invaluable. I am so glad I met Campus and would highly recommend them. PerQ is lovely, relatable, and many years of experience give PerQ an infinite repository of wisdom that would benefit anyone looking for career advice.

    Cari Sekendur Branding Designer
  • Kay & Black understands creative in a way that few talent agencies do. They’re also highly attuned to what today’s hiring managers are looking for and how to make you and your work stand out. Hillary and the K&B team performed a thorough review and critique of my portfolio and offered great advice on what to cut, what to keep and what to prioritize.

    David Muldoon Creative Director
  • I not only found the event hosted by Kay & Black to be extremely helpful, but also incredibly uplifting. Hearing Hillary & Kathryn speak honestly about their past mistakes and their professional triumphs allowed others to openly share their own questions and concerns. It’s refreshing and reaffirming to know that other women are equally interested in listening and sharing advice and these events are a great place to see that.

    Vicky Shum Visual Designer
  • Kay & Black's workshop was very empowering.  It made me think about the bigger question...how do I get to where I want to be? After the workshop, I was relieved to know that it is okay not knowing all the answers, but having confidence in myself is paramount as I make the journey in finding those answers. I loved the leaders and participants at the event - a wonderfully curated mix!

    Producer
  • I attended Kay & Black's digital networking event at General Assembly and found it really worthwhile. As an introvert, I was definitely encouraged & feeling more confident about networking after. And shaking the stress out was great. I actually emailed a long-lost friend using tips from the talk, and it turns out she was really happy to hear from me. We hopped on a call, and she offered some awesome ideas for my job search!

    Lisa Hwang Data Scientist
  • I attended Digital Networking with General Assembly. I loved Hillary & Kathryn's tips on how to find someone's email address, how to keep track of your connections, and best of all how to frame up your networking request. Because of the workshop, I now have confidence in reaching out to people when networking. I loved the two leaders of the session and their energy and passion for the subject.

    Jane Freiman Founder, Smart Kitchen Insights Group (Virtual Test Kitchen)
  • Hillary is a long-time member and friend of The One Club for Creativity and has participated in numerous events as a panelist, portfolio reviewer and mentor to the creative community. Hillary's breadth of knowledge and empathetic nature allows her to connect with and motivate the audience on a deeper level. Hillary and Kay & Black exemplify the kind of speakers we would invite back to speak at future events. 

    Kasia Karolak Gender Equality Program Manager, The One Club for Creativity

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