I’m Chris Tillman, founder of Terrace Vanguard. I partner with founders and HR leaders who need to hire Director to C-level leaders and critical individual contributors, especially when the role is high-impact, confidential, or tough to fill through inbound applicants.

My job is to run a clear, structured process that gets you to the right hire without wasted cycles, uncertainty, or “spray and pray” recruiting.

How I Work

• I start by getting crisp on the role, your stage, and what success actually looks like.

• I build a targeted search plan and go directly to the talent you want, not just whoever applies.

• I keep a weekly cadence with pipeline updates and real market feedback so we can adjust fast if needed.

• I help you evaluate candidates clearly and close strong through offer and onboarding support.

My Background

I have over a decade of experience across executive search, recruiting, and business operations. Before founding Terrace Vanguard, I served as a Vice President of Talent Acquisition and Recruiting Operations for an executive search firm, where I led strategic hiring initiatives and improved recruiting systems to support growth. I’m also a proud Hampton University graduate.

Today, I work directly with clients as the principal consultant. That means you’re not handed off to a team. You get my time, my judgment, and a consistent process from intake to close.

Most of my work is with growth-stage and mid-market teams, often in Life Sciences (Biotech & Pharmaceutical), Healthcare, Tech, SaaS, and professional services. If you’re outside those categories, that’s fine. The role and the hiring situation matter more than the label. I’ve also worked across plenty of other industries. The industry changes, but the fundamentals don’t: clarity on the role, direct outreach, and consistent communication.