December 12, 2025

Testimonials

Bryan J. Rollins
Climate Tech Mentor/Operator – Bryan J. (VP of Product Marketing) worked with Yuri at MessageOne.

Yuri is a phenomenal recruiter who is great to work with on a personal, day-to-day level, but he also understands the high level priorities of the business and how the people we recruit directly affect the success of the company. He’s not just a smooth talker but someone with substance, integrity and a great sense of humor. And, he grows a mean beard.

Dave Breshears
GTM Scientist | Head of Sales at OneView – Dave was Yuri’s client.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Yuri on both sides of the recruiting fence. He’s both placed me in a job and helped staff positions at companies I’ve worked for, and in both capacities he is exceptional. As a candidate, I always felt that Yuri had my best interests at heart. He listened to my needs, pushed me to think hard about my career trajectory, and connected me with companies that fit both. As a staffing resource, he consistently placed candidates that met our needs, both in terms of experience and cultural fit. If you’re looking for new career opportunities, or trying to fill highly skilled positions within your organization, you’re not likely to find a better partner than Yuri.

Terry Killian
Principal Talent Acquisition Recruiter @ Informatica | Certified CIR, ACIR, CDR – Terry worked with Yuri on the same team.

I am Terry Killian, a Principal Recruiter at Informatica, I have been working in this role in this company for the past 8 years and had the pleasure of working with Yuri Kostun during this time. I am happy to recommend Yuri. . I have worked with many bright, talented professionals; the dedication, confidence and partnership I observed in Yuri is often missing in others. His problem-solving skills and analytical capabilities make him stand out among his peers. I am impressed with his work ethic, collaboration and the ability to work efficiently under pressure.
In the course of our association, I noticed that he is good at sourcing, recruiting and managing difficult/complex situations. Along with his technical capabilities and quick grasping prowess are commendable.

As a great team player and a natural leader, he is very cordial to his fellow mates. He always has a helping mentality and is at the forefront to guide his fellow colleagues.

Alexia Neves
Product Manager | Senior Digital Leader | Scrum Master,Yuri recruited Alexia.

Yuri was professional, articulate, knowledgeable and on point with the recruiting process at Informatica. He was always responsive and if he didn’t have an immediate answer, he was quick to find out. He kept me abreast of the process from the inception of interviews to onboarding once I was offered the position. He built trust with me from the onset. If he said he would call, he called. If he said he would send me info, he sent me info. He is trustworthy, kind and awesome to work with.

Bryan Caruso
Senior Sales Engineer – , Bryan was Yuri’s client

Trust is such an integral part of a professional relationship. Yuri reached out to me about an opportunity and I knew I could trust him from our very first conversation. He is a diligent professional and is the very best at his craft. He knows the nuances of the industry and recognizes exceptional talent when he sees it. He kept me informed throughout the process, followed up on commitments, and was a pleasure to work with. He sets the recruiting gold standard! I would highly recommend Yuri to friends or colleagues looking for new opportunities.

Michael Gorey
Previous venture-funded co-founder | ex-Cisco, Yuri recruited Michael to Informatica.

Yuri did a tremendous job of helping me determine whether there would be a good fit between what I was looking for in my next role and what Informatica had to offer. He had a solid handle on what the position I was considering entailed but didn’t guess when I asked him questions he didn’t know the answers to. Instead he found out what the answers were and relayed those answers in a timely manner. Leaving one company to join another is rarely easy. Yuri has a genuine appreciation for how difficult it can be and provided the kind of guidance that a friend would. The fact that Informatica hired Yuri not once but twice into such a critical role, helped me feel even more confident that I was making the right decision to leave the company I’d been with for ten+ years to join them.

Michelle Lindsey
North America Partner Sales Leader, Michelle was Yuri’s client.

Yuri did an outstanding job of keeping me informed and moving me through the recruitment process at Informatica. After being with the same company for more than 20 years, it was especially important to have an responsive advocate answering my questions and overseeing the timely completion of my offer letter approval through a successful background check.

Summer Davis
Associate Software Engineer – Summer was Yuri’s client.

Yuri has a unique nack for matching skillsets with new opportunities – at precisely the right time. I had the great fortune of receiving an InMail from Yuri for just such a purpose. He kindly and personably suggested I consider a new role with Medallia. At the time, I was not actively looking to change seats… but Yuri colored the opportunity with information so relevant to my skills and interests that I couldn’t help but stay intrigued (might I add, Yuri is a blast to speak with along the way, a clear spokesman, and remarkably professional). Where am I now? Officially onboarded for the very role he reached out about – and couldn’t be happier. Infinite thanks, Yuri : )

Harrison Watson
JD, ADAJD, ADA. Harrison was Yuri’s client.

Yuri is an honest, helpful, and knowledgable professional. When I connected with him to pursue a position with Medallia, he gave me a transparent and convincing assessment of the opportunity: what the role involved, how the product performs, and why corporate culture matters so much at Medallia. No bit of our interview was exaggerated, and I can’t be happier for that – I feel this job is a perfect fit for me. I would highly recommend Yuri to friends and any professionals seeking new opportunities.

Brian Baker
Channel Sales Manager, Brian was Yuri’s client.

Yuri was referred by a trusted friend as one of the leading sales recruiters in the Austin area. When I initially spoke with him on the phone I knew he was a great fit for me and the career goals I had set for myself. In no time at all I had 2 companies that were very interested in my background and previous experience. Needless to say Yuri did a superb job with finding the career opportunity I was looking for to build upon my sales career.

Kris Ditmore
Senior Corporate Account Manager at HashiCorp. Kris was Yuri’s client.

Yuri understood what I needed from a career development perspective and actually used that information to guide me to opportunities that have taken my career to the next level. Yuri’s experience and connections within the Austin startup ecosystem is second to none. It’s been an honor and privilege to work with Yuri the past few years.

Mark Scully
Product Management – Mark was senior to Yuri but didn’t manage Yuri directly.

Yuri is one of those people in this industry that really “gets it”. He brings to bear the right caliber of candidates in a timely manner. He is able to qualify & screen candidates to match not only the job requirements, but the company’s culture as well. Results-focused and personable.

David Hinojosa
Sales @ Databricks – David worked with Yuri on the same team.

Many in the recruiting profession have a tendency to put their own personal goals ahead of those of the candidate they’re recruiting or client company they’re working for. Thankfully Yuri Kostun isn’t one those recruiters. Whether working internally or externally Yuri is by far one of the most authentic personalities in the recruiting discipline. His upfront and honest approach allows him to instill trust and build rapport quickly with those he works with. Just one of many reasons he is and will continue to be successful. In short if you are top talent looking to build on your career or a hiring manager looking for the best and brightest, Yuri is a proven producer and possesses the ability to provide both.

Thomas Riddle
Healthcare Staffing – Thomas worked with Yuri but on different teams.

My experiance working with Yuri during the recruitment process was great! He was always very timely in our communication and always did what he said he was going to do. His professionalism and clarity played a key role in introducing me to my new possition and employer.

Aaron Dusatko
Regional Sales Manager at BMC Software – Aaron and Yuri worked together at MessageOne.

Yuri has an uncanny way of finding and matching an individuals skill set with an organizations requirements. He brings a proven track record of successful recruitment throughout various economic climates and conditions. I would highly recommend Yuri to any organization, or to individuals looking for the perfect new job.

Warren Irwin
Analytics & Insights for the Energy Transition – Yuri recruited Warren into MDBuyline.

Yuri is an incredibly professional recruiter with the ability to relate to potential candidates in a way that eases the transition from the initial interview, all the way to the offer letter. Throughout the process of my onboarding with MD Buyline, Yuri was knowledgeable on the responsibilities of the role, and resourceful in determining answers to questions that come with moving to a new industry. He was patient, consultative, and accommodating to a difficult schedule, and I would strongly recommend him in the future.

Amy Gerdnic
Sr. Software Sales Executive – Yuri and Amy were co-workers at Network Dynamics.

Yuri is a focused and hard working well connected professional. He has been a good friend as well as a great colleague. I am glad to say we keep in touch professionally and I give him a good reference of accountability.

Tod Klubnik
Austin Growth Advisors – Tod was Yuri’s interal client at MessageOne (VP of Sales).

Yuri has been an incredible addition to our team. He is smart, hard working, diligent and results-oriented. He has had a real impact on our recruiting efforts, sourcing and placing a substantial number of Tier 1 candidates during his time at MessageOne. He is a pleasure to work with.

Jeff Shaffer
Established Technology Professional – Yuri recruited Jeff into MessageOne.

Yuri recruited me to work for MessageOne. Based on my direct experience with Yuri I found him to be straight forward, honest and always driven by personal integrity. I highly recommend Yuri to anyone considering working with him.

Stephen Thomas
Revenue Leader | Angel Investor, Yuri recruited Stephen into MessageOne.

Yuri is an excellent recruiter. He was key in locating me and bringing back to discussions with MessageOne. His work ethic, ability to communicate with new recruits, and willingness to provide direct and accurate feedback have Yuri a pleasure to work with.

Marc Neal
Technical Sales Consultant at Entrust – Marc was Yuri’s client.

Yuri worked with me regarding positions for an Internet security comapany in the NYC metropolitan area. He helped me to overcome obstacles at the firm and provided a win-win situation for me and the firm. He is professional and resourceful.

Jeffrey Newman
Jeffrey worked with Yuri but on different teams

When I worked with Yuri @ Network Dynamics I was just cutting my teeth in the business. Yuri was a patient teacher and I picked up many recruiting skills from him both directly and indirectly. He gave time to a young kid who wouldn’t recocgnize a good resume if it bit him so that I could grow my career. I still use many of the techniques I learned from him. A great guy both personally and professionally, I highly recommend him!

Earle Brooks
Earle and Yuri were co-workers, and then Partners.

I had the pleasure of working with Yuri for years, both as asssociates at Network Dynamics, and as partners with the Kostun Group, and I give him my highest recommendation for any of his future endeavors. He is a hard-working, intelligent and creative individual, and can be completely trusted to give 100% to any work effort. If not for my entering a different field of employment, I would treasure the opportunity to work with him again.

Nikheel Dhekne
Director, Strategy & Operations at IBM – Director, Strategy & Operations at IBM

I worked with Yuri in 2000 on a variety of projects. He was a tremendous asset in a very tight labor market. I would recommend him highly.

Michael Woodbury
Partner at Bain & Company – Michael was Yuri’s client.

I used Yuri for locating system engineers for my tape storage business between 2001 and 2004. Yuri’s personal involvement in the placements, and the time he spent learning about my business made a huge difference in getting the right people. All of the placements Yuri made remain with the firm – far better than the result I achieved on direct hires. I unreservedly recommend Yuri.

Srinivas Dokku
Senior Manager Talent Acquisition | R&D – Srinivas worked with Yuri on the same team

I had the privilege of collaborating with Yuri Kostun at Informatica for several years, where he expertly led the efforts in sales talent acquisition while I concentrated on research and development. Yuri possesses exceptional knowledge and skills in recruiting top-tier sales talent within the software, SaaS, and cloud sectors, significantly contributing to the formation of strong sales teams. He demonstrates a sharp strategic mind and unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion. Yuri’s professionalism and team-oriented approach make him a distinguished partner and leader in the field of talent acquisition.

Alka Singh
Principal Talent Acquisition Recruiter, R&D – Alka worked with Yuri on the same team.

I had the privilege of working alongside Yuri at Informatica. Yuri always demonstrated great talent in the entire hiring process which significantly contributed to our team’s success. Yuri possesses remarkable interpersonal skills, easily building rapport with stakeholders and colleagues. Yuri was always ready to offer guidance and support, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.

Nastassia Blumenthal
Senior Manager Talent Acquisition @ Informatica, Marketing | Employer Brand | Team Cheerleader – Nastassia worked with Yuri on the same team.

I had the opportunity to work with Yuri at Informatica, where we collaborated on several projects. He consistently brought thoughtful insights and a high level of intelligence to our team discussions. His analytical thinking and problem-solving skills made a strong impression, and I appreciated his contributions during our time working together.

Errol Emmert
Sr. Advisory Solution Consultant, Errol was Yuri’s client.

I secured Yuri’s services prior to moving to my current company, OnRamp. Yuri did an exceptional job of matching my skillsets with the open position at OnRamp. He was easy to work with and very knowledgeable about the company’s background and leadership. I would highly recommend Yuri for anyone looking for their next career move.

Jeff Jones
Analytics and AI/ML Sales – Jeff was Yuri’s client

I have had the pleasure of both working with Yuri as well as having him serve me as a client. My recruitment process with Yuri was best in class service 100% of the time. He is extremely knowledgable of the job market and partners with strong performing companies where his clients are set up for success. I would recommend his skill set as well as his personable approach to anyone.