BoardWalk Consulting Seeking CEO for BRIDGES USA
May 30, 2024 – Executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting has been retained by Bridges USA in Memphis, TN, to lead in its search for a new CEO. Director Michelle Hall and director of research Patti Kish are leading the assignment. BRIDGES USA’s next CEO will be a values-driven leader who centers youth in all decision-making. Their work and career reflect a deep commitment and passion for youth development and BRIDGES USA’s mission.
The CEO will bring vision, inspire confidence, and build on the success of BRIDGES’ many programs while finding means to accelerate BRIDGES’ impact and capacity. They are a leader who sees around the next corner and readies BRIDGES to be at the forefront. The CEO will scale the organization in a sustainable fashion. The new leader will move with the team and stakeholders to expand the reach of BRIDGES programs by improving both programmatic accessibility and value to the youth of the wider region, meeting the needs of thousands more of Memphis’ youth, according to BoardWalk.
In addition, the CEO will support and foster BRIDGES learning culture and create an entrepreneurial environment with clear organizational objectives, accountability for the team, and strategic management of resources. Bringing strong financial acumen, they will build upon a highly collaborative culture and ensure the organization hits growth and performance targets.
The ideal candidate brings skill and experience in leading a multi-dimensional, growth-oriented organization. Their career will manifest a commitment to youth and the mission and impact of BRIDGES USA. BoardWalk notes that candidates should have a hands-on style with the ability to motivate a team of high performers in a low-ego, humble and collaborative manner. Both compassionate and strong, they are willing to leverage the expertise of the staff. They should have a passion for youth leadership and a drive to lift and center their voices in everything BRIDGES USA does.
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Founded in 1922, BRIDGES USA is a youth empowerment organization that facilitates dynamic social and community change. Equipping thousands of young people with leadership skills, the organization centers and amplifies youth voices while building pathways to civic engagement. It is a place of deep connections, personal growth, enduring influence, friendships, and intergenerational partnerships that form across social, economic, and racial divides.
Serving Non-Profits
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.
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Following a nationwide search of more than 250 diverse leaders, executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting has assisted in the recruitment of Kim R. Ford as the new CEO of Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital (GSNC). Director Cynthia Moreland and senior associate Diane Westmore led the assignment. “Kim is an exceptional leader with a track record of nurturing youth and families,” said Barbara Krumsiek, Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital board president and chair. “She’ll be a terrific role model for our 46,000+ Girl Scouts and 30,000+ adult volunteers. Growing up in the D.C. area, she has spent her career focused on creating opportunities through education and volunteer service. She is passionate about youth leadership and gender equity and the perfect person to lead the council into a future marked by continued growth and success.”
BoardWalk Consulting was founded by Sam Pettway, a 30-year search veteran. Over his career in executive search, he has worked with hundreds of board members and leadership teams with entities ranging from start-ups to mature multinationals in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. Since founding BoardWalk in 2002, Mr. Pettway has served clients as varied as international relief agencies, national foundations, regional trade associations, and local agencies in dozens of markets.
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.
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.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
