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Welcome to Acquaint New York

With 25 years in executive search, Acquaint New York specializes in placing transformative talent across fashion, lifestyle, manufacturing, and global retail. We deliver a personalized, high-impact approach rooted in deep industry expertise, sharp instincts, and a strong network of trusted relationships.

Whether you're entering a new market, scaling globally, or evolving creatively, we identify the leaders who will drive measurable change.

Meet The Executive Team

 

Amy Cole - Founder & CEO

Amy Cole brings over two decades of leadership across fashion sales and executive career development. She held senior roles at global apparel manufacturers including Warnaco, Imagine Capital Corp, and Ocean Pacific, where she served as Vice President of Sales—managing operations and national accounts including Macy’s Merchandising group, Target, and Kohl’s.

Amy’s entrepreneurial drive and commitment to developing strong, agile teams led her to launch Acquaint New York, a boutique executive search firm based in NYC. Recognizing that talent strategy goes beyond hiring, she expanded the business to include executive coaching, partnering with organizations and individuals to unlock leadership potential at every level. In addition to her work with clients, Amy has been invited to serve as a Career Counselor at institutions such as LIM College and Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies, where she supports professionals navigating complex career transitions. As CEO, Amy combines her industry expertise with a people-first mindset—helping clients build teams that not only perform but thrive.

 

Lisa Waszkelewicz - Co-Founder & Executive Recruiter

Lisa Waszkelewicz brings a strong track record in sales leadership and brand development. She managed national accounts at Imagine Capital Corp, overseeing sales and operations for multiple swimwear brands.

She later served as North American Sales Manager for Canadian based, Tribal Sportswear, where she expanded the brand’s reach across US department and specialty stores.

Today, Lisa channels that deep industry experience into executive search—specializing in product development, sourcing, and creative leadership. Her firsthand knowledge of retail cycles, margin pressures, and go-to-market strategy allows her to identify candidates who not only bring creative vision but understand the operational demands of scaling brands. As consumer preferences shift and supply chains evolve, Lisa’s ability to match talent with the right business model—be it DTC, wholesale, or private label—is a key differentiator. Her consultative approach and sharp market instincts make her a go-to partner for companies navigating change, launching new categories, or rethinking their talent strategy for long-term growth.

 

Barry Sayewitz - President, Executive Recruiter

Barry Sayewitz brings over 20 years of leadership in sales and business growth, backed by a creative mindset that sets him apart in executive search. At FedEx Office, he spent nearly a decade as Regional Sales Manager, leading a high-performing team of 15 and driving consistent revenue growth across the Greater New York market.

A former Creative Director, published cookbook author, and visual artist, Barry blends strategic thinking with bold creativity—allowing him to spot game-changing talent others overlook. At Acquaint, he leads senior-level searches across operations, merchandising, and design, and spearheads the firm’s AI-powered recruitment strategies, delivering results that move companies forward.

 

Trusted by Industry Leaders

We’ve partnered with domestic and global manufacturers, including:

  • Li & Fung
  • The MGF Sourcing Group
  • Pearl Global Industries, Ltd
  • Aquilon
  • Steve Madden
  • Wiesner Products, Inc.
  • Jay Franco

Notable Placements

We’ve delivered impactful hires across C-suite, Product, Design, Sales, Logistics, and Planning roles. Highlights include:

  • VP of Sales / CEO for a global manufacturer expanding its licensed division into North America. Servicing off-price and mass retailers.
  • VP of Brand Management for a $1B Chinese-owned product development and design global manufacturer. (Staff both their North American HQ and NY offices)
  • Account Executive managing national department and specialty stores including Amazon, Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Nordstrom
  • Sales Analyst for $50M Walmart business (Staff both East and West Coast U.S. operations)
  • Product Manager for home goods (servicing TJX, Burlington, Costco, and Kohl’s)
  • Pet Product and Holiday Packaging Designers for mass and off-price accounts
  • Senior Creative Designer hired to support Target-focused innovation

Each placement addressed a specific business need—from launching new categories to strengthening design identity and improving supply chain visibility.

Have a question? Call us at 917-923-6879 or email us at: [email protected] 

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