Mr. Cantarella currently leads the firm’s global software sector and is a member of the financial officers' practice.  Chris has many years of expertise leading CEO, CFO, President, and BOD searches across software, business services, and industrial technology sectors. 

Before coming to Korn Ferry in 2010, he served as partner in a leading international executive search firm where he focused on C-suite searches for public and private equity-backed companies. He has led many high-profile engagements for companies in electronics, software, IT services, and industrial technology. 

Previously, Mr. Cantarella served as Director of Ernst & Young’s private equity practice. There, he built a significant portion of the company’s global private equity strategy as he managed client relationships with multiple private equity firms across the Ernst & Young enterprise globally. Throughout his career there, Mr. Cantarella advised private equity clients and their portfolio companies on due diligence, capital formation, growth management, and governance issues.  Previous to this he was CEO of a venture backed internet start-up.

Mr. Cantarella began his career as a consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP.  Earlier, he served with the United States Navy as an officer flying F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft.

Mr. Cantarella is currently serving in his third year as a judge for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year program and serves on the board of Capstone Strategic.

Mr. Cantarella received a master’s degree in business administration from The George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the United States Naval Academy. He is a graduate of Harvard University's High Potentials Executive Leadership Program.