PRESS RELEASES

Byrant Group Tapped by Heartspring for Chief Development Officer Search

Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group, has been selected to recruit the inaugural chief development officer for Heartspring. Sally Bryant, CEO of Bryant Group, is spearheading the assignment for the search firm.

“We’re searching for a person who wants to build a legacy and take an organization – and their career – to the next level. Heartspring is already beginning to realize our vision of being a destination for children and families affected by neurodevelopmental disorders. I’m excited to work with Bryant Group on this next milestone of adding our first chief development officer to our seasoned executive team,” said Dan Soliday, Heartspring president and CEO.

The successful candidate is an experienced fund developer who will support continued cultivation of key partnerships and steer the capital campaign that will make the organization’s presence in downtown Wichita’s new health care corridor a reality.

The CDO will ensure the development and maintenance of appropriate systems for fund development, including but not limited to, volunteer and donor engagement, donor research and cultivation, gift processing and recognition. The CDO will spend the majority of their time with external stakeholders and potential funders.

Key qualifications include five years of nonprofit development experience, five years of experience leading & managing staff, proven ability in leading a development program, personal understanding of raising major gifts, expertise in leading a capital campaign of $10M+, and skilled at partnering with Boards, volunteers and community leaders.

About Heartspring

Originally founded in 1934 as the Institute of Logopedics, Heartspring is celebrating its 90th year integrating evidence-based therapies into innovative support models that help children with neurodevelopmental disabilities realize their full potential in communication, social interactions, mobility and daily living.

Heartspring offers two services, a Therapeutic Residential & Day School and Pediatric Outpatient Clinic. The Therapeutic Residential & Day School is one of only a handful of organizations in the United States that provides therapeutic special education to students with a primary neurodevelopmental disorder of high-support-needs autism, plus intellectual disability. The Pediatric Outpatient Clinic offers children with neurodevelopmental delays the ability to develop skills for communication, to learn to eat a variety of foods, and to develop fine and gross motor skills. Children and families have access to a wheelchair-accessible treehouse and therapy playground as well as a fully-equipped physical therapy gym and audiology suites. Heartspring uses the latest Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapies to help children thrive.

About Wichita, Kansas

Recently, Forbes Home named Wichita #4 on its list of best places to move to in 2024. Wichita offers a high quality of life with a cost of living significantly lower than the national average. The city features a variety of affordable housing options, from charming historic homes to modern apartments.

Wichita is home to top-notch educational institutions, including Wichita State University, which offers cutting-edge research, a new biomedical partnership with the University of Kansas, and educational programs in various fields. The Greater Wichita Partnership and other local organizations work to build a strong talent pipeline, ensuring a skilled workforce ready to meet future demands.

Wichita’s residents are known for their friendly, welcoming nature and strong community spirit. Through local events, volunteer opportunities and neighborhood gatherings, Wichita fosters a sense of belonging and connection.

Advancing Great Leadership

Bryant Group, based in Irving, Texas, and with consultants located across the United States, specializes in executive search and leadership consulting for higher education, healthcare and nonprofits, with an emphasis on advancement leaders and other executives. In 1988, Bryant Group founder, Chris Bryant, started one of the country’s first search firms specializing in philanthropy recruitment. Now under the leadership of CEO Sally Bryant, the woman-owned firm focuses on advancing great leadership. Bryant Group has impacted more than 10,000 leaders and served more than 275 organizations.