Founder and CEO

Bryan Erkkila, Founder and CEO of Yellow Tree, brings 23 years of executive placement experience across the U.S. He is deeply passionate about connecting purpose-driven individuals with the best organizations that align with their values and goals.

Under Bryan’s dedicated leadership, Yellow Tree Executive Search has become and been recognized as One of the America’s Best Executive Recruiting firms 4Xs in a row by world-renowned media companies. Yellow Tree Executive Search is a premier relationship-based executive search firm, distinguished by its strong customer focus. Prior to founding Yellow Tree, Bryan spent seven years leading recruiting for a top-tier, national Strategic Advisory and IT/Technology Project Services firm, where he built a team of Executive Consulting Leaders and delivery leaders from the Big 4, National Consulting firms, and Fortune 1000 to F500 companies. Earlier in his career, as the first employee hired by the President of one of Minnesota’s leading search agencies, Bryan played a key role in its growth into one of the most respected firms both locally and nationally.

A second-generation executive recruiter and agency owner, Bryan earned his Bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University. He is married, raising two energetic children, and is the proud owner of an English cream retriever named “Bear.”

Bryan is a member of several industry organizations (including the American College of Healthcare Executives) and actively participates in several purpose-driven community and charitable organizations. He is a strong supporter of our military and first-responder community, especially with regard to their mental health and care, including PTSD.