DRG Executive Search Seeks Development Officer for Shatterproof
November 15, 2017 – DRG Executive Search has been retained by Shatterproof, an addiction prevention non-profit, to lead its search for a new chief development officer (CDO). DRG managing partner David Hinsley Cheng is leading the search along with senior consultant Carmel Napolitano.
Reporting to the CEO, the CDO is a newly created role charged with developing and executing Shatterproof’s major individual, corporate and foundation fundraising strategy, said the search firm. A key part of the CDO’s job will involve working with a high-profile board of directors, advising it and supporting its efforts to secure and steward major gifts.
Candidates must have at least 10 years development experience, preferably in a national environment, including experience developing a strategic fund-raising plan. They should be self-motivated, entrepreneurial and embracing of a start-up environment with the ability to move quickly in a fluid, growing organization, said DRG. In addition, the right candidate will be a sophisticated, mature, empathetic individual who can work effectively within a health-related organization. Personal experience with substance abuse and its effect on families would also be a positive.
Shatterproof was started to fill the gap for a well-funded, national, not-for-profit organization related to addiction. Formerly Brian’s Wish, Shatterproof was founded by former hotel executive Gary Mendell, whose son lost his battle with addiction in 2011. The following year, Mr. Mendell left the day-to-day responsibilities of his hotel company, funded Shatterproof with an initial contribution of $5 million and dedicated himself on a pro bono basis to lead this effort. Its mission is to end the devastation that addiction causes families.
Veteran Recruiters
DRG Executive Search, founded in 1987, specializes in recruiting for the non-profit sector. The firm is led by president David Edell and has conducted searches for senior executives at many of the major national charity groups, including the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Hillel International, Birthright Israel, NEXT and the Jewish Funders Network.
Mr. Hinsley Cheng has worked closely with over 100 boards, professionals, search committees and human resource managers. While he has diverse experience across all areas of the non-profit sector, including human services, associations and advocacy organizations, his practice centers on working with the boards of high-profile voluntary health organizations and hospital foundations.
Among the recent searches he has led are chief positions at Autism Speaks, American Parkinson’s Disease Association, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Michael Reese Health Trust, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Hebrew SeniorLife, Legal Services-NYC, American Institute for Economic Research, and American Youth Soccer Organization.
Ms. Napolitano, who has more than 10 years of experience in executive search, has a track record of recruitment for leadership positions in the non-profit and philanthropic sectors. Her placements include CEO/president/executive director level searches with leading international, national and New York area associations and non-profits. She has a special expertise in helping clients to recruit fundraising talent.
Chief Development Officers
Chief development officers are in high demand as fundraising prowess and having an ability to drive growth is becoming an essential part of the skills required of nearly every competitive organization today. A recent search on LinkedIn of the title generated more than 140,000 results.
No industry is immune to the need for top-drawer chief development officers, and all CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving and galvanizing new donors while keeping old funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on” is, according to recruiters specializing in the function, job one.
Executive search firm Caldwell Partners International placed Desikan Madhavanur as executive vice president and CDO of JDA Software in Scottsdale, AZ. Jim Bethmann, managing partner and co-leader of Caldwell’s TMT & IT services and information security practices, led the search. He previously worked at CA Technologies, where he served as senior vice president and business center head for data center orchestration.
Howe-Lewis International recruited Lori Abrams as vice president and CDO of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. She was previously director of development at The Valerie Fund. The Arnold P. Gold Foundation is a non-profit organization that works with medical and nursing schools, and in hospitals and other professional settings across the U.S.
Harvard Group International placed Mandy Nelson as the first ever CDO of After-School All-Stars (ASAS). Managing director and non-profit practice leader Cyndi Court led the search. Most recently, Ms. Nelson served for seven years as the associate vice president for development in the Pacific division of the American Red Cross.
ADK Consulting & Executive Search has been retained by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority to lead its search for a chief development officer. This position offers a compensation package in the range of $190,000 to $220,000, with an attractive range of benefits, including a deferred compensation plan and participation in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Will Schatz, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
