People First. Results Always.
We built Artemis on a simple belief: when you get the leadership right, everything else follows. From retained executive search to coaching-centered development, every engagement starts with people and ends with performance.
The Artemis Difference
We Don't Just Fill Roles. We Build Leadership Teams.
Artemis was the Olympian goddess of the hunt and protector. That origin is intentional. We hunt for the best leadership talent for our clients and protect their interests throughout every engagement. From sourcing and interviews to negotiation and onboarding, we support every step with insight, strategy, and care.
What started as a Houston-based recruiting practice has grown into a nationwide retained executive search and leadership development firm serving PE-backed operators, growth-stage companies, and mid-market organizations. We specialize in finding "implementers" -- high-performing executives with proven track records of building systems, driving revenue, and leading teams through transformation.
Our approach is simple: we go deeper. Where other firms send stacks of resumes, we present 2-5 fully qualified candidates who have been Actually Interviewed, behaviorally assessed, and calibrated for cultural fit. We learn your business strategy, your team dynamics, and the unwritten rules that determine whether a leader succeeds or fails in your specific environment.
"Recruiting with Integrity"
Meet Our Founder
Johanna Watson, President & CEO
Johanna Watson
President & CEOJohanna Watson founded Artemis Executive Partners with a conviction that executive search should be built around client needs, not firm convenience. After more than 15 years placing leadership talent for Fortune 500 companies, high-growth startups, and PE-backed portfolio companies, she developed a process focused on one thing: making sure the hire works.
That philosophy drives a 94% two-year placement success rate and has grown Artemis from a Houston practice into a nationwide firm that only uses U.S.-based resources. Johanna personally leads client engagements and brings deep behavioral assessment expertise to every search.
Born and raised in Houston, Johanna holds a bachelor's degree in Business and Education from Sam Houston State University and an MBA from the University of Houston. She serves on the Board of the Houston Area Women's Center and is a featured speaker at the 2025 Gulf Coast HR Symposium, where she presents on coaching-centered leadership and retention strategy.
She is also the architect of the E•L•E•V•A•T•E Coaching Model™, Artemis's proprietary leadership development framework that transforms managers into coaching-centered leaders who drive engagement, accountability, and measurable results.
- 15+ years executive search and leadership consulting
- Featured in Forbes, Living Magazine, and Fortune Magazine
- 2025 Gulf Coast HR Symposium Speaker
- Creator of the E•L•E•V•A•T•E Coaching Model™
- Board Member, Houston Area Women's Center
- MBA, University of Houston | BS, Sam Houston State University
How We Work
A Proven Process Built for Precision
Every engagement follows a structured, transparent methodology designed to deliver the right leader -- not just a qualified candidate.
Connect & Consult
We start by listening. We learn your business goals, culture dynamics, team chemistry, and the specific success metrics for the role. This is not a job order intake. It is a strategic briefing that shapes every decision downstream.
Strategize & Source
We build a custom talent map aligning target competencies, compensation benchmarks, and timeline. Then we activate our network and proprietary sourcing channels to identify candidates who are Actually Interviewed, behaviorally assessed, and calibrated for cultural fit.
Deliver & Support
We present a vetted shortlist of 2-5 candidates, manage the interview process, support offer negotiation, and provide 90-day onboarding check-ins. Your dedicated search partner stays engaged from kickoff through integration.
What Sets Us Apart
Six Reasons Clients Choose Artemis
Actually Interviewed, Not Scraped
A.I. at Artemis means Actually Interviewed. Every candidate we present has been personally vetted through behavioral assessment, leadership evaluation, and cultural calibration. We never send resumes from a database.
Cultural Calibration
Skills get someone in the door. Fit determines whether they stay. Every finalist is assessed for team chemistry, leadership style, and alignment with your organization's values -- not just hard credentials.
One Dedicated Search Partner
You work with a single dedicated partner from kickoff through onboarding. No handoffs, no junior associates running your search. Personal accountability at every stage.
90-Day Placement Guarantee
Every retained engagement includes post-placement check-ins and a 90-day guarantee. We invest in the success of every hire because our reputation depends on their performance, not just their placement.
Search + Development, Integrated
Most firms stop at the offer letter. Artemis offers leadership consulting, onboarding support, and our E•L•E•V•A•T•E Coaching Model™ to ensure leaders succeed after they are placed. Search and development under one roof.
Built for Implementers
We specialize in executives displaced from major companies due to organizational change, not performance issues. These are proven operators who build systems, drive revenue, and lead teams through transformation.
Leadership Development
The E•L•E•V•A•T•E Coaching Model™
Our proprietary seven-step framework transforms managers into coaching-centered leaders who drive engagement, retention, and measurable performance.
- E
Engage & Establish Goals
Build trust and define clear development goals aligned to business needs.
- L
Listen & Learn
Use active listening and assessments to understand challenges, strengths, and opportunities.
- E
Explore & Empower
Encourage creative problem-solving and empower leaders with tools and insights.
- V
Vision & Values Alignment
Clarify vision and core values, ensuring growth aligns with organizational goals.
- A
Action & Accountability
Develop concrete action plans and accountability checkpoints that drive habit change.
- T
Transform & Triumph
Implement changes in real-time, practice new skills, and experience transformative wins.
- E
Evaluate & Evolve
Measure progress, celebrate successes, and refine the approach for continuous improvement.
Organizations with formal coaching programs see significantly higher retention rates.
Managers account for 70% of the variance in team engagement scores.
Start with a focused intensive or scale to a six-month embedded program.
Sprint, six-month journey, or train-the-trainer certification for your internal team.
Industry Expertise
Deep Roots Across Key Sectors
We understand the leadership nuances that define success in each industry. Our search process adapts to your sector's pace, culture, and competitive dynamics.
Trusted By
Companies That Rely on Artemis
Work with Artemis
Ready to Find Your Next Great Leader?
Whether you need a single transformative hire or a complete leadership strategy, your next step starts with a conversation. No obligations. Just clarity on what the right approach looks like for your situation.