Ben Schmitt

About Ben Schmitt

Ben Schmitt is an Executive Recruiter with ThinkingAhead, where he partners with commercial lending institutions, commercial real estate firms, and business focused debt and equity platforms to identify and attract high-impact talent. Based in Minneapolis, Ben works with clients across the country, helping them build teams that drive growth, profitability, and long-term success.

Ben specializes in recruiting within C&I and CRE finance. His work focuses on key specialized roles across originations, underwriting, and capital markets, with a particular emphasis on specialized lending platforms. He is often engaged on retained searches where precision, market insight, and discretion are critical to success.

What sets Ben apart is his deep industry knowledge and relationship-first, consultative approach. He takes time to understand not only the technical requirements of a role, but also the culture, leadership style, and long-term vision of each organization he serves. This allows him to connect clients with professionals who are not just qualified, but truly aligned—resulting in stronger hires and lasting impact.

Prior to joining ThinkingAhead, Ben led the national recruiting efforts for the Debt and Structured Finance division of Colliers, and the Commercial Real Estate lending division of Wells Fargo before that.

Ben earned his degree from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and remains actively involved in the regional business and real estate community. Outside of work, he enjoys staying connected to the Twin Cities and spending time with family and friends.