---
title: Our Firm
description: Talent Decision Quality™ shapes leadership effectiveness, organizational performance, and long-term value creation. Learn why better judgment, and the disciplines that strengthen it, create a lasting competitive advantage.
---

[Go Back Up](https://topgrading.com/our-firm#top)

[Skip to Content](https://topgrading.com/our-firm#body)

[![](https://topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Topgrading%20Logo%20White%20Large.png?width=600&height=187&name=Topgrading%20Logo%20White%20Large.png)](https://topgrading.com/?hsLang=en)

Toggle Menu

- [Human Capital Governance](https://topgrading.com/human-capital-governance)
- [Solutions](https://topgrading.com/solutions)
  
  Toggle children for Solutions
  
   Main Menu (Press to Return) 
  
  \> Solutions 
  
    - [Hiring](https://topgrading.com/hiring)
    - [Leadership](https://topgrading.com/leadership)
    - [Organization Design](https://topgrading.com/organization)
- [Private Equity](https://topgrading.com/private-equity)
- [Workshop](https://topgrading.com/topgradingworkshop)
- [Our Firm](https://topgrading.com/our-firm)
- Insights
  
  Toggle children for Insights
  
   Main Menu (Press to Return) 
  
  \> Insights 
  
    - [Blog](https://blog.topgrading.com/blog)
    - [Case Studies](https://blog.topgrading.com/case-studies)
    - [Podcast](https://blog.topgrading.com/podcast)
    - [Books](https://topgrading.com/books)
    - [eGuide](https://topgrading.com/eguide)

- [Schedule a Call](https://topgrading.com/meetings/andywilliams-topgrading/30-minute-meeting)
- [Schedule a Call](https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris-mursau/privateequity) [Schedule a Call](https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris-mursau/privateequity)

# Our Firm

## We Believe Better Thinking Leads to Better Decisions.

Topgrading was built by people who question conventional answers and want to understand why people and businesses truly succeed. We’re curious, candid, and naturally skeptical of easy ideas, believing the best decisions come from thoughtful questions, healthy debate, and the willingness to change course when the evidence does. Our people listen carefully, challenge respectfully, and bring experience and perspective to complex problems. We don’t expect clients to think like us - we hope they leave thinking differently.

### Our People

#### Curious. Candid. Thoughtful.

The best conversations aren’t always the most comfortable.

Our people ask questions others don’t think to ask. They listen carefully, challenge respectfully, and enjoy working through complex problems with smart clients who value honest dialogue over easy agreement.

We bring experience, perspective, and a genuine curiosity about how businesses grow and why people succeed.

We don’t expect our clients to think like us.

We hope they leave thinking differently.

[Contact Us](https://topgrading.com/meetings/andywilliams-topgrading/30-minute-meeting?hsLang=en)

## Our team is committed to helping organizations

## identify and hire high performers.

![Brad Smart Suit Headshot](https://topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Brad%20Smart%20Suit%20Headshot.png?width=1137&height=1383&name=Brad%20Smart%20Suit%20Headshot.png "Brad Smart Suit Headshot")

### Dr. Brad Smart

Founder and CEO

[Read Bio](https://topgrading.com/brad-smart?hsLang=en)

![Chris Mursau Headshot](https://topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Chris%20Mursau%20Headshot.png?width=1136&height=1384&name=Chris%20Mursau%20Headshot.png "Chris Mursau Headshot")

### Chris Mursau

President

[Read Bio](https://topgrading.com/chris-mursau?hsLang=en)

![Andy Williams Headshot v2 (1)](https://topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Andy%20Williams%20Headshot%20v2%20(1).webp?width=689&height=830&name=Andy%20Williams%20Headshot%20v2%20(1).webp "Andy Williams Headshot v2 (1)")

### Andy Williams

Vice President, Operations

[Read Bio](https://topgrading.com/andy-williams?hsLang=en)

![Ange James Headshot-1](https://topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ange%20James%20Headshot-1.png?width=1138&height=1382&name=Ange%20James%20Headshot-1.png "Ange James Headshot-1")

### Ange James

Marketing Director

[Read Bio](https://topgrading.com/ange-james?hsLang=en)

![Katie Farber](https://topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Katie%20Farber.webp?width=654&height=795&name=Katie%20Farber.webp "Katie Farber")

### Katie Farber

Senior Operations & Client Services Manager

[Read Bio](https://topgrading.com/katie-farber?hsLang=en)

![Lyle Brambier Headshot](https://topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Lyle%20Brambier%20Headshot.png?width=1139&height=1381&name=Lyle%20Brambier%20Headshot.png "Lyle Brambier Headshot")

### Lyle Brambier

Topgrading Advisor

[Read Bio](https://topgrading.com/lyle-brambier?hsLang=en)

![Diego Merino Headshot-1](https://topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Diego%20Merino%20Headshot-1.png?width=1138&height=1382&name=Diego%20Merino%20Headshot-1.png "Diego Merino Headshot-1")

### Diego Merino

Topgrading Advisor

[Read Bio](https://topgrading.com/diego-merino?hsLang=en)

![Deb Hordon Headshot](https://topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Deb%20Hordon%20Headshot.png?width=1139&height=1381&name=Deb%20Hordon%20Headshot.png "Deb Hordon Headshot")

### Deb Hordon

Topgrading Advisor

[Read Bio](https://topgrading.com/deb-hordon?hsLang=en)

[Contact Us](https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris-mursau/privateequity)

## Let's Talk

Whether you’ve just closed a deal or are evaluating a critical hire, we can help you move quickly and with clarity.

[Schedule a Conversation](https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris-mursau/privateequity)

Schedule a Call

[Book Now](https://meetings.hubspot.com/chris-mursau/privateequity)

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Schedule a Call

[Contact Us](https://topgrading.com/meetings/andywilliams-topgrading/andy-williams-schedule-a-call-meeting?hsLang=en)

![logo-footer](https://topgrading.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo%20(1).png?width=249&height=50&name=logo%20(1).png "logo-footer")

- 100 S Saunders Rd Ste 150 Lake Forest, IL 60045
- (847) 244-5544
- [info@topgrading.com](mailto:info@topgrading.com)

[Contact Us](https://share.hsforms.com/1LwWWJ3v1RxK57ZpNXI-9Lwclbe4)

#### Subscribe to Our Newsletter

##### Quick Links

- [Human Capital Governance](https://topgrading.com/human-capital-governance?hsLang=en)
- [Solutions](https://topgrading.com/solutions?hsLang=en)
- [Private Equity](https://topgrading.com/private-equity?hsLang=en)
- [Our Firm](https://topgrading.com/our-firm)
- [Leadership](https://topgrading.com/leadership?hsLang=en)
- [Hiring](https://topgrading.com/hiring?hsLang=en)
- [Organizational Design](https://topgrading.com/organization?hsLang=en)
- [Topgrading in the AI Era Workshop](https://topgrading.com/foolproof-hiring?hsLang=en)
- [Case Studies](https://blog.topgrading.com/case-studies?hsLang=en)

##### Website Policy

##### [Client Portal](https://client.topgrading.com/membership-login/)

© 2026 Topgrading. All Right Reserved.

- <https://www.linkedin.com/company/topgrading-inc->
- <https://www.facebook.com/topgrading/>