Kathy Vrabeck '85 Joins Heidrick & Struggles as Partner

July 28, 2011

July 28, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — Kathy Vrabeck, a 1985 graduate of DePauw University, has joined Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSII) as partner within the consumer and technology practices. The firm provides executive search and leadership consulting services worldwide. Vrabeck will be based out of Los Angeles.

"A seasoned executive in the digital entertainment industry, Vrabeck will focus on the media, entertainment and digital sector for the firm," notes today's announcement. "She comes to Heidrick & Struggles from Legendary Pictures where she served as president, Legendary Digital, and was responsible for the creation, management and delivery of digital entertainment, with a focus on video games, across current and next-generation platforms."

"Kathy has an unmatched grasp on the consumer landscape, be it her vast consumer packaged goods experience or her invaluable digital consumer background," says said Guy Cote, regional managing partner of the Heidrick & Struggles' Americas' Consumer Markets Practice. "Kathy's deep knowledge offers a truly rare combination that enhances our strong team. Her keen understanding of the entertainment and media space will expand our offering, while leveraging our leadership advisory expertise that is uniquely tailored to our clients."

Kathy (Patterson) Vrabeck's resume includes serving as president of casual entertainment at Electronic Arts; as an executive vice president at Activision and president of Activision Publishing, where she led development of hit video game franchises, including Call of Duty and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. She has also worked for Pillsbury Company, Quaker Oats, Eli Lilly & Company, and ConAgra.

A member of DePauw's Board of Trustees, Vrabeck has been recognized by the Hollywood Reporter as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Entertainment. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of DePauw, she earned an M.B.A from Indiana University.

Read more at MarketWatch.

"A little piece of DePauw stays with you forever," Vrabeck told fellow members of the Class of 1985 at their 25th reunion last June. [Download Video: "Kathy Vrabeck '85" - 4844kb] "We're fortunate. Our time at DePauw, in recent words by Dr. Casey, shaped us as liberally trained critical thinkers and creators, prepared for life's work. And we have a lot of life's work - and play -- ahead of us."

Also available is this previous article.

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