BoardWalk Consulting Recruits CEO for The Asia Foundation

January 31, 2023 – Executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Laurel E. Miller as president and CEO of The Asia Foundation. She succeeds David D. Arnold, who is retiring after 12 years of leading the international development non-profit during a period of profound change across Asia and the Pacific. Managing director Kathy Bremer, director of research Patti Kish, and senior research associate Michelle Hall led the intensive, wide-ranging global search.

A large initial prospect pool was narrowed by stages to a group of finalists who interviewed with the board’s search committee and select staff across the foundation.

“We are thrilled to introduce a leader of Laurel’s caliber to guide the organization into its next stage of growth and impact,” said Tim Kochis, chairman of The Asia Foundation board of trustees. “She has spent her career analyzing and solving complex issues, negotiating with diverse stakeholders, and building bridges across cultures and sectors–and this perspective is key to the foundation’s strength in a rapidly shifting world.”

Ms. Miller is an experienced leader whose background spans non-profit, public policy, private sector, and governmental leadership roles. She brings a strong professional and personal commitment to The Asia Foundation’s mission of improving lives and expanding opportunities across the world’s most diverse region. Currently the director of the Asia Program at the International Crisis Group, Ms. Miller is highly regarded for her policy analysis, diplomatic, and negotiating experience in the U.S. government and with independent research institutions. She has dealt extensively with government and private sector leaders, civil society organizations, and international and multilateral organizations.

In prior roles with the RAND Corp. Ms. Miller led research and policy analysis on national security, foreign policy, and foreign aid issues. She has served in several roles at the U.S. Department of State and National Security Council, including as acting special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. Recently, she was appointed to serve as a member of a congressional commission charged with conducting a review of U.S. involvement in the region. Ms. Miller’s early career as a journalist based in Tokyo for the Japan Times and in New Delhi at the Center for Science and Environment, where she authored a study of the environmental impact of the Green Revolution, unleashed a life-long interest in the Asia-Pacific region.

“I am honored to be joining an organization highly respected for its contributions to people’s lives and well-being across Asia and the Pacific,” said Ms. Miller. “I look forward to sustaining and building on The Asia Foundation’s impact by working with the organization’s longstanding friends, supporters, and partners, and with its many talented, committed professionals across the globe.”

Related: BoardWalk Consulting Selected to Find Chief Development Officer for Cleveland Institute of Music

The Asia Foundation is a non-profit international development organization committed to improving lives across Asia. Informed by six decades of experience and deep local expertise, the organization’s work is focused on good governance, women’s empowerment and gender equality, inclusive economic growth, environment and climate action, and regional and international relations.

Non-Profit Focused Recruiters

BoardWalk Consulting, based in Atlanta, is a national executive search firm that recruits CEOs and senior leadership for mission-driven non-profit organizations. Founded in 2002, the firm leads executive searches for clients from across the non-profit sector with global, national, regional, and local missions. Many of the firm’s team members have previously served as non-profit executives, grant makers, and board leaders. BoardWalk Consulting is also an active partner in Panorama, the global network of independent executive search firms.

Ms. Bremer joined BoardWalk Consulting in 2007 after eight years as head of Porter Novelli Atlanta. Prior to that, she served as senior vice president of fundraising and marketing for CARE. Earlier in her career, Ms. Bremer was a senior executive at three New York ad agencies, where she led assignments for Procter & Gamble and other client work. Prior to these roles, she worked as a journalist and writer in Tokyo. She has led numerous executive searches for clients including ADL, Heifer, Save the Children, CDC Foundation, Oxfam, HIAS, Research!America, Jane Goodall Institute, TSNE MissionWorks, The Trustees, and many others.

Ms. Kish works closely with search consultants to develop and implement research strategies and proactively recruit senior level executives into non-profit leadership roles. Prior to joining BoardWalk Consulting in 2015, she led full life-cycle talent acquisition for a national search firm that specialized in C-suite executive search for consumer products organizations. She began her career with EDS (now HP) where she spent several years managing the entire talent acquisition organization for the southeast region. A career recruiter, Ms. Kish has placed CEOs, presidents, executive directors, and CFOs for organizations with national and global impact.

Ms. Hall is focused on finding leaders who are a fit for the organization so they can make a difference on day one. Prior to joining BoardWalk, she served for 11 years as vice president and dean at Oglethorpe University where she directed a large staff in support of a growing university that has earned numerous accolades for its academics and support of a diverse student body, community service, and first generation students.

Related: BoardWalk Consulting Seeks President and CEO for Public Broadcasting Atlanta

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media

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