Rick Girard is founder and CEO of Stride Search Inc, an engaged search firm and the host of the Hire Power radio podcast.

His career has kept him laser-focused on building tech startups in the highly competitive Silicon Valley. He specializes in helping startups WIN key hires.  Value and impact are the two main ingredients brought to every interaction, above and beyond just locating the strongest people. Contrarian in his approach, he has flipped the script on engagement and the hiring process to bring a massive competitive advantage to every interaction.

While not running a school for Gifted Mutants as Professor X, he authored his first book “Career Wounds” (coming mid 2019), competes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and has an affinity for any adrenaline-pumping activity.