Over the summer, we’ll be introducing the individuals who make Calderon Search & Advisory what it is, sharing their career stories, passions, and the work they’re doing to support our clients and their leadership goals. After introducing our Managing Director Harco J. Leertouwer two weeks ago, this week with our Director Executive Search, Dagmara Kruczkowska takes the stage. Dagmara founded LevelUP – Sustainability Recruiting LTD, just over a year ago, which is now part of Calderon Search & Advisory.
An open interview with a remarkable woman.
You’ve worked in recruitment for over a decade. Was that always the plan?
Dax: I never imagined I’d end up in recruitment, in fact, I resisted it at first! I think this is because I didn’t really understand the industry and just saw it as sales. A practical decision turned into a masterclass in human behaviour, business strategy, and personal resilience. I learned that recruitment was so much more about the people than I ever thought. I learned how people work, how companies grow, and how meaningful impact starts with the right team.
Why did you decided to start your own recruitment business?
Dax: Becoming a mother shifted my perspective in a big way. I enjoyed my job, but I felt like my growth was stagnating. Instead of just doing what I’d always done, I wanted to align my career with something that truly mattered. So, I stepped back, took stock, and decided to build something on my own terms.
Is that how LevelUP (and eventually Calderon Search & Advisory) came to life?
Dax: Exactly! LevelUP was born from a desire to do recruitment better: less transactional and process-oriented, more intentional and strategic. We help sustainability and ESG leaders across the globe build high-impact teams. Calderon Search & Advisory grew from the same root. If you think of it like a tree, Calderon Search & Advisory is the strategy-focused branch of that very mission. The tree as a whole is a movement aimed at shaping the future of work.
What kind of work gets you most excited?
Dax: I love partnering with founders, investors, and heads of sustainability who believe in the same mission. They know that hiring isn’t just about skills, but about mindset, resilience, and cultural fit. Helping clients go from, ‘we need someone to fill this seat,’ to, ‘wow, we’ve built a team that can lead real change,’ is what truly drives me.
What’s one challenge you think more people should talk about in this space?
Dax: There’s some misinformation that sustainability can be outsourced or siloed. Just like any other key business function, you can’t add it on. It has to be lived, breathed, and embedded. Calderon Search & Advisory exists to help organisations face the uncomfortable questions and come out the other side stronger, more aligned, and more capable – ready to do their sustainability work.
What drew you to on this journey with Calderon?
Dax: Timing – my mission perfectly aligned with the other co-founders and what’s happening in the market right now! Companies are waking up to the fact that sustainability isn’t just a trend. But many don’t yet know how to lead through that shift. Calderon Search & Advisory helps companies answer question through smarter talent strategy, leadership coaching, and organisational clarity.
What keeps you grounded behind the scenes?
Dax: My daughter! She reminds me daily why my work matters. I want to make the world a better, more sustainable place for her to live in. Also, the little moments that make me happy really drive me through the rough patches. Like long walks, espresso with ketamilk (try it!), dancing in the kitchen, and good wine with people who speak their truth.
8. Finally… what’s your hope for the future?
Dax: I think people find happiness when they find meaning and purpose in their lives. I hope more people find the courage to build something with meaning, whether it’s a business, a team, or a life. And that when they do, they know that there are people like us, at Calderon Search & Advisory, ready to take that journey with them.
