Pinnacle got its start right here in Pittsburgh. Today, our team remains deeply connected to the business community, supporting employers across industries and company sizes.
As one of the region’s fastest-growing companies, we’ve built lasting partnerships with accounting, finance, and IT professionals across the region. From Fortune 500 headquarters to middle-market companies and fast-growing startups, Pittsburgh organizations trust Pinnacle Consulting & Recruitment for accounting consulting, finance consulting, and IT staffing solutions that keep business moving forward.
The Pittsburgh business community blends long-standing industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and higher education with an expanding tech and financial services sector. Finance and technology leaders here face unique challenges, from system upgrades and regulatory compliance to periods of rapid growth. With deep local expertise and a nationwide reach, Pinnacle provides Pittsburgh companies with accounting consultants, interim CFOs, finance transformation support, and IT consulting talent exactly when it’s needed.
Project-based and interim consultants ready to step in during critical transitions or workload peaks.
Permanent placement from staff to executive-level roles across accounting, finance, audit, tax, treasury, and more.
Technical consultants who can lead system integrations, support ERP transitions, or provide interim project management.
Permanent placement of IT professionals, from developers and analysts to senior-level technology leaders.
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Our local Pittsburgh recruiters bring a mix of Big 4 public accounting, corporate finance, and technology experience. They understand the regional talent pool and what local companies value in consultants and permanent hires. With a focus on integrity, urgency, and genuine relationships, our team delivers results that matter.
Colin Powell
CEO
As CEO, Colin Powell is proud to lead a team of amazing executive recruiters that helps companies find the best CFOs in Pittsburgh.
For over 20 years, he has carefully cultivated a network of Pittsburgh’s most influential businesses and finance leaders, ensuring ample support for any CFO search.
After serving as a Big 4 audit manager as well as in the corporate accounting sphere, Colin founded Pinnacle to guide organizations and recruit the most experienced financial leaders. Over the years, he has hand-selected a team of the state’s finest recruiters, building a culture of relationship-based recruiting and a company that matches his vision of trust and honesty.
Colin prides himself on building and leading a quality local firm that provides organizations access to Pittsburgh's top CFOs and C-Suite professionals, and his dedication and unparalleled level of care are ever-apparent.
Business Development
Business Development
Nicole Beichner
Associate Director of Business Development
Nicole Beichner has built a thriving career at Pinnacle Consulting & Recruitment, making a meaningful impact on every client she supports. As Pinnacle’s Manager of Business Development and Client Services, she brings joyful passion, an outgoing personality, and unwavering dedication to her work.
In her role, Nicole cultivates strong client relationships, uncovers new job opportunities, and represents Pinnacle throughout the region’s networking community. Her involvement in multiple professional groups has helped her build the connections that drive her day-to-day success.
Staying true to herself is at the core of Nicole’s approach, and she credits her achievements to the support she receives both inside and outside the office. She also gives back to the community through her volunteer work with The Pittsburgh Rainbow Kitchen.
Nicole continues to focus on what she does best: building authentic connections, understanding goals, and delivering real solutions that help people and organizations move forward.
Outside the office, Nicole enjoys quality time with her friends and family (especially her nieces and nephews), traveling, and unwinding with a great glass of wine.
Consulting
Consulting
Preston Saxton
Director of Client Services
As Pinnacle’s Director of Client Services for Consulting, Preston is proud to lead Pittsburgh’s premier finance and accounting consulting practice. With nearly a decade of experience helping clients fill their interim needs, Preston’s philosophy revolves around crafting a safer model for clients, ensuring that the consultants Pinnacle places with them are not merely a temporary fix but a reliable stopgap solution. Pinnacle does this under Preston’s leadership by nurturing a stable of long term, talented consultants, motivating them with competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, ensuring that they remain committed and engaged.
Preston began his career at Deloitte after earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Robert Morris University. During his four-year tenure at Deloitte, he specialized in tax consulting, focusing on partnerships, trusts, individual tax returns, and tax provisions for both private and public companies. He then transitioned into corporate accounting for the Bayer Corporation, quickly acquiring a comprehensive understanding of Bayer's accounting functions through collaboration with various internal teams. Preston’s Big 4 and in-house experiences ensure he has the technical expertise to thoroughly understand his clients’ needs, ensuring alignment and satisfaction.
Consulting
Jo Anna Crago
Market Development & Recruiting Director
Jo Anna is a Pittsburgh native and a graduate of John Carroll University, where she earned her degree in Accounting and a minor in French. She spent the first decade of her career with Deloitte’s Pittsburgh office, providing audit and tax services to middle-market clients as well as global Fortune 500 companies. During that time, she also completed her Master’s in Taxation at Duquesne University and became a Certified Public Accountant.
In 2005, Jo Anna shifted her career focus to the human side of Accounting and Finance. Since then, she’s helped hundreds of accounting professionals advance their careers. As our Market Development and Recruitment Director, she partners closely with her colleagues to attract and hire top consulting talent and to support Pinnacle’s growth across multiple markets.
Outside of work, Jo Anna stays busy with her husband and three children. They enjoy traveling, building Legos, and working on jigsaw puzzles together. When she eventually retires, she hopes to spend her time volunteering, solving cold cases and cuddling premature babies in the NICU.
Consulting
Shannon Savol Kocur
Manager of Recruitment
With nearly a decade of experience in recruitment, Shannon brings a wealth of expertise in pairing clients and top-tier consultants to fulfill interim hiring needs as Manager of Recruitment & Client Services. Working with accounting and finance consultants, she specializes in delivering tailored solutions to meet clients' urgent staffing needs.
Originally graduating from Allegheny College with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Shannon began her career in veterinary medicine. However, driven by her passion for helping others, she transitioned into the field of recruitment as an alternative means to make a meaningful impact.
Transparency is an integral part to Shannon's approach, fostering trust and collaboration between clients and consultants. As a result, she is known for providing exceptional support and service, ensuring successful outcomes for all parties involved and making sure their needs are met with the utmost professionalism and efficiency.
Outside of work, Shannon and her husband enjoy life on their hobby farm with their two dogs and horses.
Consulting
Kristi MacKenzie
Manager of Recruitment
Kristi brings over 15 years of experience in management consulting, with a background spanning talent acquisition, sales, and project management. She’s worked across industries including automotive, manufacturing, private equity, and finance, serving as a trusted advisor to both clients and consulting professionals. Her focus has always been on building strong partnerships and aligning talent with client needs.
Before joining Pinnacle, Kristi was part of a global consulting firm, where she was responsible for Talent Management and Acquisition with a focus across the Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and DC markets. She also played an active role in mentoring within the firm’s internal program. Earlier in her career, Kristi held progressive roles in accounting and finance, first at a Michigan-based CPA firm and later with a Tier 1 automotive supplier. She is a certified PMP and Six Sigma Black Belt.
A graduate of Oakland University, Kristi is based in Southeast Michigan. When not at work, she loves cycling (road/gravel, mountain, and fat tire in the snow,) hiking and traveling with her husband and dog. Also, Kristi is a certified scuba diver (preferring warm tropical waters over the cold Great Lakes).
Consulting
Tyler Barnot
Senior Recruiter
Tyler Barnot is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in Accounting recruiting, specializing in placing consultants within the Pittsburgh area. With a commitment to providing clients with top-notch staffing solutions, Tyler excels in matching talent with temporary, consulting and permanent job opportunities.
Tyler began his career managing a personal training program following his graduation from Westminster College, PA, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing. Building upon this foundation, he furthered his education by obtaining a Master's of Business Administration, equipping him with a robust skill set for navigating the dynamic world of recruitment and staffing.
In his role at Pinnacle, Tyler leverages his expertise to capture and connect the best talent in and around Pittsburgh, ensuring that clients receive tailored solutions that meet their specific needs. Beyond his professional endeavors, Tyler is engaged in his community and coaches travel baseball for the Beaver Valley Baseball Organization.
With his industry knowledge, academic credentials, and commitment to this community, Tyler Barnot is a trusted partner for clients seeking exceptional staffing solutions and individuals striving to advance their careers in accounting and finance.
Permanent Hire
Bri Roark Chieffalo
Director of Client Services and Recruitment
With nearly a decade of direct-hire recruiting experience, Bri has grown into her role as Director of Client Services and Recruitment at Pinnacle Consulting & Recruitment, where she leads the firm’s direct-hire Accounting & Finance practice. Leveraging her background in Big 4 public accounting, Bri specializes in guiding professionals through key career transitions, especially those moving from public accounting into corporate/industry roles, while also partnering with industry professionals at every stage of their career, from staff level through CFOs.
Her approach is rooted in genuine connection and trust. Bri is known for truly listening, understanding motivations beneath the surface, and providing thoughtful, personalized guidance. She combines technical expertise with a strong grasp of cultural fit, enabling her to deliver tailored hiring solutions that support long-term success for both her candidates and clients.
Bri remains active in the accounting and audit community through the Institute of Internal Auditors and the Duquesne University Accounting Mentorship Program.
Outside the office, she enjoys all things organization and personalization, staying active, and spending time with her husband, Patrick, and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Roscoe.
Nadine Yassin
Senior Manager of Recruitment
Nadine brings a strong foundation in accounting, having worked in both public and corporate environments early in her career. Her firsthand experience in the field gives her valuable insight into the roles she now recruits for, allowing her to evaluate talent with both technical understanding and strategic perspective.
Today, Nadine focuses on placing top-tier accounting and finance professionals, including CFOs and other senior leaders, into permanent roles that help companies grow and succeed. She partners closely with clients to understand their goals, align talent with business needs, and deliver a seamless hiring experience.
Known for her ability to connect with people and uncover what truly drives candidates and hiring managers alike, Nadine is passionate about helping professionals advance their careers and helping businesses thrive.
Outside of work, Nadine is passionate about traveling, especially internationally, because she loves exploring new cultures and perspectives. She also plays the piano, enjoys working out, and considers herself a big foodie always on the hunt for new places to try.
Brian Salagaj
Senior Recruiter
Brian joined Pinnacle in January 2023 and is a dedicated member of the recruitment team, bringing a thoughtful, people-centered approach to every search he supports. He is a graduate of Duquesne University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology, a focus that strongly informs his ability to understand individual motivations, career goals, and personal priorities.
Prior to Pinnacle, Brian gained valuable experience in sales, which strengthened his communication skills and taught him how to meet people where they are, listen actively, and build trust. In his current role, he leverages this experience alongside a strong attention to detail to guide candidates through the hiring process with clarity, transparency, and care.
Brian takes pride in helping candidates find opportunities that align not only with their professional goals, but also with their personal lives and long-term well-being. He is especially motivated by the opportunity to positively impact someone’s career trajectory and provide guidance during what can be a pivotal life decision.
Outside of work, Brian values time spent with friends and family and believes that balance outside the workplace is just as important as success within it. He is excited to continue growing at Pinnacle and looks forward to building lasting relationships with both candidates and clients while contributing to a team that values integrity, growth, and people-first decision making.
Paul Bishop
National Director, IT Practice
With 20+ years of experience leading cross-functional teams in Technology and Accounting/Finance recruitment, Paul has helped organizations from startups to Fortune 100 companies bring the highest level of talent to their teams. He is a proud Eastern Michigan University graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration and is excited to bring his expertise to Pinnacle.
He believes the most important skills he brings to this role are passion and empathy. He is passionate about connecting talented individuals with the right opportunities and understands what consultants are looking for in the job market. He loves helping people and businesses come together to solve problems, knowing that each transaction is unique.
Outside of work, he enjoys a good social gathering, especially when golf is involved. He spends a lot of time supporting his children’s activities and loves vacationing in warm-weather destinations. He is also a dedicated supporter of the Red Cross and the American Cancer Society and has a Goldendoodle named Leo who is a big part of his life.
John Minzinga
Manager of Recruitment
John earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing and, like many in the industry, found his way into recruiting and quickly developed a passion for it. He thrives on building strong relationships with highly skilled technical professionals and partnering with clients to bridge talent gaps and enable teams. With deep expertise in sourcing and recruiting, he brings a strategic and results-driven approach to talent acquisition. At Pinnacle, he looks forward to being a part of the team and looks forward to contributing his skills, learning from his colleagues, and helping drive success.
Outside of work, he has been married for a year to his wife, Makenzie, who is also a recruiter. They have two dogs, Amigo and Kenny, and a cat, Señor. When he is not working, he can be found on their boat, tending to his vegetable garden, cooking, and taking their dogs for long walks.
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Shannon Ream
Manager of Business Development
Shannon started her career at one of the largest staffing firms in the U.S. right after graduating, stepping into the role of an IT recruiter. It was an incredible learning experience that allowed her to develop strong relationship-building and problem-solving skills from the start. After just nine months, she was promoted to an IT account manager, a pivotal moment in her career where she took on greater responsibility in managing client accounts and driving sales. During this time, she honed her expertise in both staffing and sales, laying a solid foundation for her future in the industry.
She brings a deep understanding of market trends, a passion for building strong client relationships, and a collaborative approach to working with cross-functional teams. Her knowledge of IT trends, positive energy, and ability to connect with people have been key to her success.
Outside of work, she enjoys staying active, whether it's working out, traveling, playing volleyball, or taking walks with her dog, Ollie.
Looking for salary insights or hiring trends specific to the region? Explore our toolkits designed for the Pittsburgh market:
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Each resource connects you with a local Pinnacle contact who can provide guidance on compensation, consulting availability, and market insights.
Looking for support in Pittsburgh? Our team is ready to help you solve today’s challenges and plan for what’s next.
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