Our Team - Grant Partners

Ryan Grant

President & Founder

Ryan Grant has more than 15 years of executive search experience, having successfully completed more than 500 senior-level searches while working for Fortune 100 companies, private equity-owned organizations and professional sports franchises.

Ryan has led C-Suite searches across multiple industries and functions with a relentless focus on client service and candidate experience. In his previous role as Managing Director, Corporate Practice, for a national boutique search firm, he grew the practice 5x its initial size during a five-year period.

He brings with him a unique approach centered on customer service and relationship cultivation, fueled by his time as Director of Hospitality for Nantucket Island Resorts’ collection of five hotels and marinas.

Ryan attended Vanderbilt University on a golf scholarship and graduated magna cum laude with a double major in economics and human and organizational development. He also earned an MBA from the University of Georgia. Following completion of his collegiate golf career, Ryan played professional golf around the world on the European Challenge Tour, PGA TOUR Latinoamérica and the then-Nationwide Tour.

Committed to giving back to his community, Ryan serves on the Board for Street Grace, and Georgia State Golf Association, and he is also a member of the Vanderbilt Alumni Association Board of Directors. He lives in Atlanta with his wife, Katie, and their three daughters, Ella, Nora and Brynn.

Krista Johnston

Vice President

With nearly a decade of executive search experience working with search firms and in internal talent acquisition under her belt, Krista Johnston is a seasoned professional who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to bear for The Grant Partners. She is deeply passionate about executive search, recognizing its potential to enhance the corporate culture and grow the base of talent for her clients.

Krista, who spent eight years working with Nissan North American prior to moving into executive search, works closely with her clients throughout the process, focusing on delivering talented, high-quality candidates on time. Client focused and results driven, she values the relationship portion of search, consulting with both clients and candidates to find the right fit.

She graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, earning a BBA in International Business. Krista lives in Atlanta with her husband, Brannon, and their two daughters, Sadie Kate and Addison.

Austin McKenna

Vice President

Whether it was his time working for a Fortune 500 company or serving his clients with international executive search firms, Austin McKenna can draw from a deep well of experience to craft detailed search strategies that match the needs of his clients. He strives to cultivate both a great candidate and a valued client experience.

Prior to joining The Grant Partners, Austin worked as an associate for Marlin Hawk, where he was responsible for conducting multiple complex and high-profile executive search assignments. He has gained experience working with everything from startups to Fortune 100 clients across the fields of finance, human resources, marketing, operations, sales and technology.

Austin lives in Atlanta with his wife, Jessica and their two dogs, Abby and Sam.