A recovering M&A guy, Mike was brought on in 2004 to help evolve the firm’s business model. He helped develop and implement SPMB’s current search strategy, and the effect has been significant in transforming how the entire company approaches clients and the search process, including 15+ years of unprecedented growth.
Before joining the firm, Mike was with Standard & Poors, focusing on Applied Analytics and M&A transactions in the technology market. Clients included Adobe, HP, Verisign, Dolby and Excite. Earlier, Mike worked on the Equity Capital Markets desk of Solomon Smith Barney in NYC, helping to bring the world’s most promising companies into the public markets.
Graduating from Georgetown University with honors, Mike received a dual degree in Advanced Finance and New & Small Business Management.
After hours, Mike enjoys grabbing a white board with the goal of reimagining how the executive search industry should operate to best serve client needs, and between meetings, he likes debating the merits of fly tying methods (on said white board). For recreation, he enjoys spending time with his wife Emily, daughter Olive and 2 Boston Terriers, Burrito and Chip.
“Madison Dearborn Partners has executed a number of corporate carve-outs over the last several years. Through these investments, we have worked with all of the large search firms and many boutiques as well. Mike Doonan and his team at SPMB are at the front of that pack and have helped us successfully hire talented CIOs through highly organized processes. While we value Mike’s ability to source candidates, we place an even higher value on his judgment and advice regarding selecting the right candidate. We look forward to engaging him to help us with other companies in our portfolio.”
Jason Shideler – Madison Darborn Partners, LLC
What’s the most non-traditional job you’ve ever had?
As a kid, I spent most summers in NYC running around the trading floor at Solomon. This was the go-go 90s, and I became particularly adept at dodging steel-reinforced corded telephones thrown by frustrated traders.
What are your favorite books/movies?
As for books, A Star Called Henry by Roddy Doyle and It Can’t Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis. I’m a sucker for historical fiction, particularly coming of age novels focused on challenging times in history. As for movies, for sure Zoolander… because, well, most situations in life are somehow relatable to Zoolander.
Which band would you love to tour with?
I’ve been a die-hard Weezer fan since the Blue Album. My wife and I even follow around their San Jose based tribute band.