Kaye/Bassman managing director honored for contributions to pharmaceutical recruitment and Medical Affairs
NEWS RELEASE — EMBARGOED UNTIL DELIVERY
Michael Pietrack has been selected for the 2026 Talent 100
Kaye/Bassman managing director lauded for expertise in pharmaceutical recruitment and Medical Affairs
PLANO, Texas, Aug. 26, 2026 — Kaye/Bassman International announced today that Michael Pietrack, managing director of its Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Practice, has been named a 2026 Talent 100 honoree.
Curated by Noon AI, the Talent 100 celebrates leaders and practitioners who are driving progress in talent acquisition and human resources. Award recipients are chosen by independent panels from peer-submitted nominations, based on the significance of their contributions, their level of expertise, and their impact on the future direction of recruiting.
Pietrack brings nearly two decades of experience in pharmaceutical recruiting. Alongside his teams, he has successfully placed over 1,000 professionals in the specialized fields of medical affairs, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.
“The riches are in the niches, and the more niched you are, the more you can become a celebrity in that space,” Pietrack shared with the Talent 100.
Pietrack launched his recruiting career at The Alpine Group, where he headed the Medical Affairs Search Practice. By 2013, he had risen to the position of the No. 1 recruiter globally within MRINetwork, which at the time comprised more than 5,000 recruiters. Subsequently, he co-founded TMAC Direct, an executive search firm focused exclusively on medical affairs.
His professional achievements have also garnered him recognition as one of the pharmaceutical industry’s 100 Most Inspiring People by PharmaVoice, as well as membership in The Pinnacle Society, a collective of top recruiters across North America.
Pietrack joined Kaye/Bassman in 2023 with the mandate to lead and grow its Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Practice. Currently, he oversees a group of specialized recruiters focused on various segments of the pharmaceutical industry.
His impact goes beyond executive search. In 2024, Pietrack introduced the Pharmaverse Podcast, offering candid dialogues with leaders from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and Medical Affairs sectors. The podcast has released more than 60 episodes, touching on topics such as leadership, drug development, organizational strategy, career advancement, and the evolving role of Medical Affairs.
The initiative has grown to include dedicated content for current and aspiring medical science liaisons, commonly known as MSLs. Recent episodes have explored preparing for an MSL’s initial 90 days, cultivating strong relationships with key opinion leaders, and honing the skills necessary to move into Medical Affairs leadership positions.
Through both the Pharmaverse Podcast and Inside MSL, Pietrack is also fostering a connected professional network for MSLs and Medical Affairs practitioners. Inside MSL offers bi-monthly live community sessions, role-specific training, one-on-one coaching, career development tools, and job opportunities. The community caters to aspiring MSLs, seasoned field professionals, emerging leaders, and organizations looking to build Medical Affairs teams.
This blend of industry dialogue, practical learning, and professional networking underscores Pietrack’s ongoing dedication to guiding individuals into the MSL profession, enhancing their skills, and supporting long-term careers in Medical Affairs.
Additionally, Pietrack writes leadership-focused articles for BioSpace and is the author of two novels, Legacy and Boon.
Explore Pietrack’s complete Talent 100 profile, tune into the Pharmaverse Podcast, or discover more about the professional network at Inside MSL.
About Kaye/Bassman International
Established in 1981, Kaye/Bassman International is an executive search and professional recruiting firm headquartered in Plano, delivering global talent acquisition solutions. The firm specializes by functional area, industry sector, role, and geographic region, operating across more than 30 recruiting practice groups. Additional information is available at kbic.com.
About the Talent 100
Presented by Noon AI, the Talent 100 is an annual honor recognizing leaders who are advancing talent acquisition and human resources. Recipients are chosen via peer nominations and independent selection committees. The selection process is merit-driven, with no nomination fees or pay-to-play provisions.
Media contact
Darren McDougal
Chief Marketing Officer
Kaye/Bassman International
972-931-5242
www.kbic.com
#### (end of release)
Darren McDougal
Kaye/Bassman International Corp
+1 972-931-5242
email us here
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
Facebook
YouTube
X
