BoardWalk Consulting Tapped By Greenpeace USA for Chief Financial and Operations Officer
January 14, 2026 – Executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting has been retained by Greenpeace USA to lead in its search for a chief financial and operations officer (CFOO). Director Michelle Hall, senior associate Terri Kohan, and director of research Patti Kish are leading the assignment.
Greenpeace USA requires an executive who is an experienced, adaptive leader with a passion for environmental justice to lead in this demanding time. Reporting to the executive director, they will be a valued strategist and thought partner to the high-functioning and collaborative senior management team.
The CFOO’s leadership will strengthen and integrate the operational systems that sustain Greenpeace’s campaigning, movement-building, and advocacy work. This includes ensuring the responsible stewardship of financial resources, embedding people-centered and equity-driven policies, and creating operational environments that anticipate risk, enable agility, and foster innovation. Beyond operational oversight, the CFOO plays a pivotal role in shaping organizational culture— championing collaboration, transparency, and accountability. They will foster cross-team partnerships, promote efficiency, and ensure that the organization’s values are reflected in every aspect of its work.
The search for Greenpeace USA’s CFOO will focus on passionate leaders with a deep affinity for the organization’s mission and alignment with its values of independence, non-violence, and environmental stewardship. A sophisticated leader seasoned by the special demands of complicated organizations with multifaceted stakeholders would be ideal. Of special interest are those who have successfully weathered significant challenges, leading teams through change with respect, empathy, and discipline.
Ten years or more of senior leadership in non-profit or mission-driven organizations is needed for this role with four years or more experience managing teams, senior managers, and directors. Those applying must have proven expertise leading both finance and operations, with the ability to create alignment and harmony between financial and operational priorities.
For over 50 years, Greenpeace USA has boldly defended the planet and championed peace. As part of a global network, the organization uses nonviolent direct action, investigations, and campaigns to hold powerful interests accountable on climate change, deforestation, ocean protection, and fossil fuel expansion.
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.
Related: BoardWalk Consulting Assists the Lumpkin Family Foundation with Executive Director Search
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 non-profit 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.
BoardWalk Consulting Appoints CEO
BoardWalk Consulting has announced a leadership transition with the appointment of Crystal Stephens as CEO. She succeeds founder Sam Pettway, who launched the Atlanta-based executive search firm in 2002 and will remain actively engaged as founding director. The move marks a new chapter for BoardWalk as it continues its mission of recruiting transformative leaders for non-profit organizations nationwide. Let’s take a look at the latest appointment and a few others at top firms in recent months.
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. Kohan collaborates closely with internal teams and client stakeholders to execute C-suite and leadership searches for non-profit and mission-driven organizations. She is an accomplished executive search professional with over 30 years of experience in retained executive recruitment across domestic and international markets. Her expertise spans all facets of senior-level talent acquisition for both non-profit organizations and corporate entities across diverse industries.
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.
Related: BoardWalk Consulting Recruits COO for Deep South Today
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
