5 Questions with Nupur Nanda, CPA, our Senior Manager of Executive Search Recruitment

Tell us something interesting about you that’s not on your resume.

I’m a bit of a thrill seeker and recently went skydiving in Dubai. It was intense, surreal, and surprisingly calming once I stopped screaming internally. Not your average weekend activity, but I’d do it again.

You started in audit at a Big 4 firm, then moved into REITs—what led you to recruitment, and ultimately to Clarity?

I started my career grounded in numbers and structure, but I quickly realized that what energized me most was working with people; understanding motivations, building relationships, and helping others grow. I transitioned into recruitment to be closer to that human impact. What drew me to Clarity specifically was the company’s deep belief in intentional, strategic search – not just filling roles, but aligning people with purpose.

At Clarity, you help match transformative companies with the best director- to executive-level finance talent. From your perspective, what are the most critical qualities or skills that clients are looking for in today’s job market?

Today’s clients aren’t just looking for strong technical skills – those are table stakes. They’re prioritizing adaptability, strategic thinking, and leadership maturity. Whether it’s a scale-up navigating new funding or a PE-backed firm prepping for exit, clients want finance leaders who can see around corners, drive clarity in complexity, and influence across the org chart. Cultural fit and communication style are also make-or-break, especially in lean or high-growth environments where leaders need to wear many hats.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve seen clients facing when hiring executive-level finance professionals?

One of the biggest challenges is alignment – defining what “great” looks like in a role that touches so many parts of the business. Often, decision makers/hiring managers have slightly different visions. Another challenge is market perception: many candidates look great on paper but lack the agility or storytelling ability to thrive in evolving environments. That’s where we come in. We’re not just identifying qualified candidates, but helping clients calibrate expectations, pressure-test priorities, and hire with intention.

We’re always looking for recommendations – what are you currently reading/watching/listening to? (Netflix, podcasts, books etc.).

I just finished reading Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld (from Reese’s Book Club). It’s witty, smart and a total page-turner. For podcasts, I’ve been loving Good Hang with Amy Poehler.

I’m late to the party, but I am catching up on The White Lotus – it’s messy, dramatic, and kind of perfect for a binge watch.

Are you searching for top-performing talent? Let us help you hire better.