CarterBaldwin Seeks CEO for Christian Group World Vision
February 20, 2018 – World Vision, one of the largest Christian ministries in the world, has retained the services of executive search firm CarterBaldwin Executive Search to help find a new president and chief executive for its U.S. office. After 20 years at the helm, the group’s leader, Richard Stearns, recently announced his plans to retire at the end of this year. CarterBaldwin founding partner Price Harding is leading the search along with consultant Chris Hornsby.
As the senior executive leader of World Vision U.S., the president is responsible for leading the organization, its strategy and culture, said the recruitment firm.
World Vision is seeking a leader with at least 15 years of multi-functional management and leadership experience. The individual must possess a strong calling to join the World Vision mission, evidenced by a Christ-centered life and a passionate heart to love and help the poor, said CarterBaldwin.
World Vision is an international partnership of Christians. Its mission is “to follow the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God.” Globally, World Vision has a staff of 46,000 working in nearly 100 countries. The organization impacts the lives of over 100 million people each year.
Search Veterans
CarterBaldwin provides executive search services in the healthcare, technology, non-profit, consumer services, industrial and media/telecom sectors. Its clients include a number of name-brand institutions, such as KPMG, ADP, Teradata, First Data, Duke University, Pepperdine University, New York Life, Fleet Pride and Berkshire Hathaway.
Mr. Harding has been principal consultant on nearly a thousand recruiting engagements for C-level leadership, officers and directors for privately held and publicly traded companies. He also co-leads CarterBaldwin’s university and non-profit search practice.
Mr. Hornsby conducts searches in the firm’s higher education, non-profit and corporate search practices. As a search consultant, leader and prior business development executive, his network and experience spans hundreds of organizations, Fortune 500 companies, higher education institutions and ministries.
Mr. Harding recently sat down with Hunt Scanlon Media to discuss the search and the type of individual the organization would like as its leader.
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Price, what type of leader is World Vision seeking?
World Vision is looking for a leader whose heart truly breaks for the poor and a leader who is willing to invest his or her life in the quest to alleviate global poverty and its social, economic and spiritual implications. Equally as important, the selected CEO must be able to lead the U.S. organization to grow its funding capabilities from its current state of just more than $1 billion annually, continually building funding momentum in the quest to improve human flourishing in some of the world’s most difficult locations.
What is the timetable for hiring the incoming leader?
The search committee has a hope of naming a new chief executive before the end of this year.
Why is this an appealing opportunity to potential candidates?
One could argue that there are few if any non-profit or corporate roles that influence a more direct positive impact on the human condition around the world. The gift of hope and the life transformation that is delivered through the work of World Vision is largely dependent upon the strategy and leadership of the U.S. operation that will be led by the selected candidate.
Can you share any nuances about this particular search?
Rich Stearns has embodied an influence that includes not only World Vision’s role in poverty alleviation but also a platform that calls the U.S. church to respond to its Christian mandate to love and serve the poor. The selected candidate will have a global pulpit to advocate for the poor and to catalyze a deeper commitment to the poor from nations, societies, organizations, foundations and thoughtful, caring individuals.
“One could argue that there are few if any non-profit or corporate roles that influence a more direct positive impact on the human condition around the world.”
Can you share some similar search work that you have completed or are currently involved in?
While more than 70 percent of CarterBaldwin’s search practice focuses on traditional corporate sectors, our non-profit practice area works with organizations that are specifically mission-driven. We are currently working with Tim Tebow to find a president for his operating foundation, and in the past year or so we have led searches to recruit CEOs to Young Life, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the National Christian Foundation, the Heritage Foundation and Mothers of PreSchoolers.
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
