OUR TEAM

Marcia Zaruba O’Connor is the CEO and Founder of The O’Connor Group, a people-focused firm that helps small and mid-sized companies strengthen their HR and talent strategies. What began as a one-woman idea in 2007 has grown into a nationwide team of more than 55 professionals who support clients across Professional Services, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Information Technology, and Manufacturing. Marcia also founded 57th Street Partners Executive Search, where she and her team help organizations find the kind of executive leaders who can move the needle in meaningful ways.

Under Marcia’s leadership, The O’Connor Group has earned a long list of awards, including spots on the Inc. 5000 and Philadelphia Business Journal’s Best Places to Work, as well as recognition from the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Titan 100, and the Philadelphia 100. The firm is also proudly certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise. These accomplishments reflect Marcia’s optimistic, people-first approach and her belief that companies thrive when their teams feel supported and inspired.

Marcia is also deeply involved in the community. She serves as a Trustee of Widener University, sits on the Widener Accounting Advisory Board, and contributes her time as a board member with the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia. She is part of the M&T Bank Advisory Board and Co-Chairs the Philadelphia 100 Forum. A Hall of Fame Titan 100 honoree, Marcia continues her mission to lift women in business through Shadow Her, the nonprofit she founded to help female entrepreneurs build confidence, skills, and momentum in their own journeys.

Katie Perry is the Vice President of Operations and EOS Integrator at The O’Connor Group and 57th Street Partners, where she helps keep the big picture clear and the day-to-day running smoothly. Since joining the company in 2021, she has become a key partner in aligning teams, strengthening processes, and making sure the organization grows with intention. Katie brings a steady, thoughtful presence to her work, along with a knack for turning complex challenges into clear, manageable plans.

Her path into operations started in talent acquisition, where she quickly moved through a series of leadership roles at The O’Connor Group. From Project Manager to Director of Talent Acquisition, Katie developed a deep understanding of people, process, and client service. That experience fuels her approach today, allowing her to support the business in a way that balances structure with empathy, strategy with collaboration, and efficiency with a personal touch.

Before joining The O’Connor Group team, Katie built her recruiting and HR foundation across several national organizations. She supported both government and private-sector clients in roles at Harris Corporation, Linxx Global Solutions, Robert Half, AGI, and TalentRemedy. Through every step of her career, she has been known for her calm leadership style, her ability to bring people together, and her commitment to helping teams do their best work.

Kat Kelly is an executive search leader who loves building things: teams, strategies, relationships, and entire business divisions from the ground up. After helping launch The O’Connor Group’s executive search arm, she now leads C-suite and board searches with a blend of precision, curiosity, and personality. Kat believes the best search work happens when people feel genuinely understood, and she brings that approach into every engagement.

In her day-to-day, Kat partners closely with clients to uncover what great leadership truly looks like for their organizations. She guides them through the full search journey while mentoring a growing team of recruiters and researchers, making sure the experience is thoughtful, transparent, and even enjoyable along the way. Her reputation for bringing energy and clarity to complex searches has made her a trusted partner across industries.

Before stepping into executive search, Kat built her career across sales, recruiting, and business development. She supported national sales teams, mentored talent, and consistently outperformed goals. A former Division I athlete and two-year team captain, she brings that same competitive spirit and collaborative mindset into her work today. She is at her best when she is connecting with people, championing great talent, and helping leaders find the right place to thrive.

Meghan Popoleo is the Vice President of Growth at The O’Connor Group, where she leads sales and marketing with an upbeat, relationship-driven approach. After nearly a decade with the firm, she has become a key voice behind its continued expansion, guiding strategy, building meaningful partnerships, and helping organizations discover how TOC can support their people and long-term goals. Meghan loves connecting dots, opening doors, and finding creative ways to help businesses grow.

Her journey at TOC includes several growth-focused roles, from Business Development Operations Manager to Director of Sales and Marketing, each one shaping how she blends strategy with a genuine commitment to people. She spent a few years supporting one of TOC’s clients directly, giving her a front-row view of client needs and the power of strong HR and talent foundations. Today, she thrives at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and relationships, bringing clarity, energy, and a people-first mindset to every conversation.

Before joining TOC, Meghan built her career in project management and wellness leadership, starting at the YMCA where she discovered her passion for community and helping others thrive. She later supported a Private Equity Company and its portfolio of companies as a project manager, strengthening her skills in communication, coordination, and cross-functional planning. Through every chapter of her career, Meghan has been known for her positive outlook, collaborative style, and love of helping both people and organizations reach their potential.

Ashley Seiler is the Senior Brand Manager at The O’Connor Group, where she brings creativity, collaboration, and a whole lot of heart to the firm’s marketing and brand strategy. Since joining in 2021, she has played a major role in shaping how TOC shows up in the market, blending thoughtful storytelling with a clear understanding of the company’s mission. Whether she is launching campaigns, elevating the brand, or championing new ideas, Ashley is known for her upbeat energy and her passion for teamwork.

Before stepping into brand leadership, Ashley spent more than a decade at the Greater Philadelphia YMCA, where she built her foundation in community engagement, marketing, fundraising, and member experience. She held progressive leadership roles and discovered how much she loves bringing people together and creating programs that make an impact. Her experience in fast-paced, community-focused environments shaped the way she leads today, with a mix of empathy, creativity, and a strong focus on people.

Throughout her career, Ashley has embraced roles that allow her to grow teams, strengthen connections, and make organizations feel more vibrant and human. From her start as a marketing intern with the Philadelphia Flyers to her leadership roles at the YMCA and TOC, she has always gravitated toward work that blends strategy with service. Ashley thrives when she is building something meaningful alongside others and bringing big ideas to life in a way that feels genuine, fun, and true to the brand.