As the dynamic and formidable force behind Augustine Talent Group in Houston, Texas, Lorraine Heywood is redefining the recruitment landscape with her unmatched expertise and faith-driven vision. Ms. Heywood is the chief executive officer and founder of the premier executive search firm she launched in 2022. With a career spanning more than 27 years in recruitment, she is a legendary leader in the field, guiding her company with a distinctive touch.
Ms. Heywood’s journey began after earning a bachelor’s degree in business, management, marketing, and related support services from Texas A&M University in 1987. She is driven by her relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to connecting high-level professionals with companies in need. Before founding Augustine Talent Group, Ms. Heywood held several key positions across various industries, including her roles at CAZ Investments, LP, as chief talent officer and principal, and at Cotton Holdings, Inc., as vice president and director of talent acquisition. Earlier, she was a senior partner and co-managing director at Wheless Partners and owned and led Babich LLC as president. Her expansive work began at RCM Technologies, Inc., advancing to regional business development and operations leader. Each step of her career is characterized by her talent for understanding the unique needs of her clients within highly competitive fields.
Ms. Heywood’s success in the recruitment industry can be attributed to her exceptional interpersonal skills and keen intuition. Her colleagues often describe her as a “human lie detector” due to her gift for reading people with remarkable accuracy, a skill invaluable in matching the right professionals to the right roles. Her prowess as a leader and mentor is highlighted by her early achievements as the only female and youngest manager in several roles, setting a powerful example for women aspiring to leadership positions.
Ms. Heywood’s path to recruiting began in an unexpected place—the restaurant industry. As a traveling general manager for a major restaurant chain, she gained firsthand experience in crisis management and team building. During this period, she honed her skill for recruiting exceptional managers, frequently observing, and attracting talent from competing establishments. Encouraged by her father, a successful executive who had benefited from recruitment services early in his career, Ms. Heywood pivoted toward the field of recruiting, finding her calling in executive search. In 2022, Ms. Heywood made her dream of 16 years a reality by launching Augustine Talent Group, ATG, which is also an acronym for “Always Trust God,” reflecting the company’s mission to connect people with opportunities with integrity and excellence. Under her leadership, Augustine Talent Group differentiates itself through selective and value-aligned relationships, recognizing that not every professional connection is beneficial. This commitment to principles rooted in faith defines her organization’s unparalleled approach to recruitment.
Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Heywood dedicates herself to civic and charitable work. She is the founder and a board member of Step Up Houston, a nonprofit focused on community empowerment, and a founding member of Direct Hope, which supports individuals in need. Her volunteer work extends to mentoring women in recovery, a cause close to her heart, given her personal triumph over alcoholism. These experiences have fueled her drive to give back and uplift others, exemplifying her resilience and unwavering spirit.
Ms. Heywood’s professional journey is marked by her involvement in developing innovative tools to enhance recruitment. She is spearheading the creation of proprietary software for Augustine Talent Group, designed to streamline the hiring process for clients. The software will offer a user-friendly app that allows clients to track job openings, review potential candidates, and monitor interview processes while incorporating artificial intelligence to optimize operations. Ms. Heywood envisions this technology becoming an asset for her company and potentially for other agencies in the future.
Looking ahead, Ms. Heywood is planning her eventual exit from Augustine Talent Group within the next seven to ten years with aspirations to sell the company or pass it on to her team. Her long-term vision includes expanding her firm’s reach, growing her team to about 20 employees, and focusing on consulting and board roles to continue making an impact in talent development and acquisition. In the short term, however, she remains committed to building Augustine Talent Group into a leading force in the executive search industry.
Ms. Heywood’s favorite aspect of her profession is the relationships she has fostered throughout the years. She maintains friendships with many of her earliest clients and positively influences numerous individuals, including helping 20 friends advance professionally. Her genuine consideration for people is evident in every interaction, underscoring her philosophy that recruiting helps others.
Ms. Heywood embodies resilience, faith, and dedication as a leader, mentor, and visionary. Her journey from the restaurant industry to the helm of her company demonstrates her ability to adapt, innovate, and lead purposefully. She continues redefining recruitment standards through Augustine Talent Group, driven by a mission to serve God and her community.