Meet Our Leaders
Christopher Clayton
Partner
Background
Chris Clayton, Partner at Gryphon Citadel, Philadelphia’s Management Consulting Firm, is pivotal in supporting the firm's growth, delivery, and development of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics practice. His versatility and innovative approaches have consistently driven business growth and technological advancements for North America, Europe, Asia, and EMEA clients. Chris’s unique strength lies in his ability to drive innovation and transformation as a strategist, team leader, and communicator who translates highly complex, often green field innovation concepts, into tangible solutions that yield business value.
Professional and Industry Experience
Chris brings 25 years of experience in go-to-market strategy, product, project and program management, systems, process and software design and delivery, design thinking, knowledge and service design projects, AI, and Data Analytics. His broad experience spans the Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, Energy, Insurance and Government sectors, working with startups to Fortune 10 companies. This diverse background equips him to advise clients and partners from the frontline to the C-suite and Boardroom on innovation strategy and digital transformation.
Representative Clients
British Petroleum (bp), FMC, Optum/United Health Group, Premier Healthcare, JPMorgan Chase, ADP, Air Products, Magee Rehabilitation, Mercer, Guardian Insurance, Jefferson University Hospital, ChristianaCare, Pfizer, Novartis, FBI
Leadership and Speaking Engagements
Chris is engaged by Angel Investors, Private Equity Groups, and Large Family Offices to drive deal flow, support due diligence, and help grow portfolio companies. His role involves advising on innovation strategy and digital transformation and providing valuable insights and support in the investment process. He has been a speaker at VentureBeat, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
Education
BA, Economics, University of the Pacific
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Mark B. Hassenplug
Board Chair & Managing Partner
Background
Mark B. Hassenplug is the Board Chair and Managing Partner of Gryphon Citadel. A seasoned executive in the global management consulting sector, Mark founded Gryphon Citadel to deliver transformational value through disciplined strategy, operational innovation, and human-centered leadership.
Throughout his career at Kearney, EY, BearingPoint, KPMG, and PwC, Mark has driven domestic and international growth strategies, spearheaded operational performance improvements, and led large-scale transformations for pre-IPO startups through Fortune 500 multinationals. His leadership consistently delivers enhanced client engagement, product and service innovation, market expansion, and measurable shareholder value creation.
He is known for building high-performing, resilient organizations by blending disciplined execution with a bold, forward-looking vision.
Mark’s leadership style blends disciplined execution with an adaptive, future-oriented mindset. He guides organizations through complexity and change. His sector experience spans healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, software, energy, and technology.
His extensive international experience, including living and working in Canada, China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, and conducting business across 47 countries, reinforces his ability to lead global enterprises with cultural intelligence and operational precision.
Representative Clients
Altria, Aramco, Bayer, Beckman Coulter, BMS, British Petroleum (bp), CSL Behring, DePuy Synthes, Endo Pharmaceuticals, J&J, Merck, Novartis, Pall Corporation, Pfizer, Province of British Columbia, RDPAC (China), Royal Dutch Shell, Sanofi, USAID, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Zimmer Biomet.
Publications and Speaking Engagements
Mark is frequently sought after to share perspectives on corporate strategy, operational transformation, and leadership in complex environments. His insights have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Alto Nivel (Mexico), Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News, Elsevier Business Intelligence, Financial Post Magazine, and several Chinese business publications.
In addition to contributing to global media outlets, Mark writes extensively for Gryphon Citadel ViewPoint, offering in-depth analysis and thought leadership on issues of strategic importance to Gryphon Citadel clients. He has also been a keynote speaker and panelist at industry forums, sharing practical frameworks for navigating growth, innovation, and enterprise transformation.
Education
MBA, Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University
BA, State University of New York at Potsdam (SUNY Potsdam)
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Paolo Prisco
Managing Partner, EMEA
Background
Paolo Prisco serves as Managing Partner for EMEA at Gryphon Citadel, leading strategic initiatives and operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Born in Italy and based in Switzerland, Paolo’s global perspective is shaped by extensive experience living and working across Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and India.
Paolo’s career bridges executive industry leadership and top-tier management consulting. He began in financial leadership roles within a leading Italian chemical enterprise and a major French oil company before joining KPMG Consulting and EY, advising global corporations and international organizations on large-scale transformation initiatives. Throughout his career, he has become a sought-after advisor to senior executives navigating growth, complexity, and change across markets in Europe, North America, and Asia.
Drawing on deep operational insight and multicultural fluency, Paolo specializes in shaping enterprise-wide transformation programs that deliver measurable impact. His work spans finance optimization, post-merger integration, strategic realignment, business transformation, human capital development, regulatory compliance, and technology-driven enablement.
Recognized for his strategic acumen and ability to lead high-performing teams, Paolo fosters cultures of excellence and resilience. His leadership style unites intellectual versatility with an instinct for activating talent, accelerating performance, and achieving ambitious goals in dynamic global environments.
Representative Clients
Paolo’s primary focus across life sciences, chemicals, and consumer products has enabled him to advise many of the world’s leading organizations.
Corporate Clients include: Adidas, BASF, Bayer, Cipla, Eli Lilly, Endo-Par Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Johnson & Johnson, Lever Industrial, Merck KGaA, Nestlé, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi Aventis, and TEVA.
International Organizations include: the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP), the United Nations Secretary’s Office, and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Publications and Speaking Engagements
Paolo is an active thought leader who frequently speaks at international business conferences and contributes editorial perspectives to Italian and global media outlets. His work focuses on leadership, strategy, and enterprise transformation in complex global environments.
In addition to his corporate engagements, Paolo collaborates with LUISS University and the Rome Business School in Rome and has previously lectured at Bocconi University (Milan and Mumbai), the Politecnico di Milano, and John Cabot University. Across these academic contributions, he remains committed to bridging practical leadership experience with educational advancement.
Education
International Economic Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
Contact
Email: [email protected]
R. Scott Walker
Partner
Background
Scott Walker, a partner at Gryphon Citadel, Philadelphia’s leading management consulting firm, is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience. His leadership roles at industry giants like IBM, CSC, DXC, and Avanade have honed his user experience, operational transformation, and excellence skills. In 2006, he founded Walker Services Group, a testament to his leadership and commitment to improving the impact of regional CEOs and business owners.
Professional and Industry Experience
Scott's over 30 years of experience in managed services solutions, delivery, business advisory services, user experience, support, and fulfillment services have equipped him to advise senior management on achieving top and bottom-line growth. His diverse client base in the public and private sectors, including pharmaceutical, consumer products, manufacturing, services, healthcare, oil and gas, and government industry sectors, showcases his adaptability and broad expertise.
Representative Clients
Raytheon, United Technologies Corp., Textron, General Dynamics (Land Systems, Electric Boat, Bath Iron Works), Lockheed Martin, Chevron, AIG, Eli Lilly, Wex, Intermountain Healthcare, Parexel, Ascension Health
Leadership Engagements
Scott Walker's commitment to serving the local region is a testament to his dedication and values. His organization of full-day leadership events, speaking at SHRM and Chamber of Commerce events and to local groups, demonstrates his belief in the power of community. His topics, including The Language of Business, Transformissional Leadership, and Discovering Strengths, resonate with local audiences and inspire them to contribute to their communities.
Education
BA, Marketing, Liberty University
Contact Information
Email: [email protected]
Let’s Go From Strategy to Results.
Call Us
+1.610.240.7870
900 West Valley Road, Suite 701, Wayne, PA 19087
