Executive Search Ranking

ThinkingAhead Executive Search recruits candidates for a variety of global clients of varying stages. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, the firm conducts executive searches in multiple industries, including the nonprofit sector. Nonprofit organization clients include those with operating budgets of $10 million or more and typically work in the arts, environment, human services (including youth development), or religion.

Campbell & Company is a national nonprofit consulting firm that provides executive search and strategic information services, in addition to development. Its clients are all nonprofit organizations, and search clients typically have total operating budgets of $3 million or more. The firm, based in Chicago with offices nationwide, has conducted searches for organizations in the arts, environment, higher education, and human services (including youth development).

Isaacson Miller is a national firm that focuses on the recruitment of leaders for mission-driven organizations. In 2021, seventy-six percent of their placements identified as women or were people of color. A typical client has an operating budget of $10 million or more.

Pearl Street Collective is a woman-owned executive search and talent strategy firm. It works with national clients in the social justice and higher education domains with operating budgets that range from under $1 million to over $1 billion. The firm is headquartered in Boston and has offices in San Diego.

5. Diversified Search Group

*Diversified Search Group and its combination of specialized brands, including its partner, Koya, is a womanfounded and woman-led executive search conglomerate that provides an array of services. Seventy-eight percent of the firm’s placements in 2021 identified as women and/or people of color. Diversified Search Group, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has fourteen offices nationwide and serves clients in more than thirty countries.

Cook Silverman is a woman-owned search firm with headquarters in California. It primarily focuses on senior executive positions for nonprofit organizations. A typical client works in education, environment, healthcare, social service, social justice, animal welfare, faith-based organizations, and the arts.

Imagine Consulting, LLC is a Black, LGBTQ+, and woman owned consulting agency. It provides recruitment and search in addition to strategy and consulting services to education and nonprofit organizations. It was founded in 2019 with headquarters in Washington, D.C.

On-Ramps is a full-service executive search and consulting firm that exclusively serves the social sector. A typical client is an organization based in the education, government, advocacy, human rights, international development, arts, impact investing, environment, foundation, and philanthropy sectors. The firm is based in New York City and conducts searches nationwide, with the majority of its placements identifying as people of color.

GoodCitizen supports social sector organizations by providing them executive search and leadership advisory services. A typical client is an organization in the foundation, nonprofits, and social enterprise, youth development, and climate sectors. GoodCitizen is headquartered in Seattle, Washington and has served more than 125 clients across 40 geographies.

Lindauer Global is an executive search firm that serves nonprofits across the United States and on four continents. It offers a range of search, leadership, and talent management services. Its clients are largely arts, K-12 education, health care, higher education, and philanthropy/ fundraising organizations that typically have total operating budgets of $10 million or more.