Grant Zallis
Managing Partner, Emerging Technology
Based in Chicago, Grant is Managing Partner, Emerging Technology at DHR Global, where he partners with high-growth technology companies navigating rapid change. He leads executive searches for CEOs and their leadership teams, with a particular focus on revenue, technology, product, and finance roles.
Grant Zallis
gzallis@dhrglobal.comExperience
Known for his consultative, hands-on approach, Grant starts each engagement with deep discovery to align leadership teams and ensure each search drives long-term success. His work has helped teams scale effectively, making him a trusted adviser to many fast-growing enterprises.
Grant began his career as a C-level executive, serving as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer for venture-backed companies. With firsthand experience building and transforming teams under pressure, he brings an operator’s perspective to every search, prioritizing speed, empathy, and execution. He later founded Illuma Search Partners, where he served as CEO for seven years. Together with a team of exceptional partners, Grant built Illuma into a boutique firm known for its expertise helping venture capital- and private equity-backed technology companies. They completed hundreds of executive searches across the world. In 2025, Illuma joined forces with DHR to expand its reach and influence.
A graduate of George Washington University, Grant is also a guest lecturer at the Booth and Kellogg business schools. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, gardening, and spending time outdoors with his family and friends.