CohenTaylor Finds CEO for the Minnesota Multi Housing Association

October 17, 2018 – Minneapolis-headquartered CohenTaylor Executive Search has placed Nichol Beckstrand as the new president and CEO of the Minnesota Multi Housing Association (MMHA). Mary Rippe, who led the organization for 25 years, has retired. Ms. Beckstrand beat out three other finalists for the position.
“Nichol’s energy and track record of leadership, knowledge of the dynamically changing rental housing market provides Minnesota Multi Housing with a strong leader to position the association for the future,” said Chris Culp, chair of the Minnesota Multi Housing Association’s board.
Ms. Beckstrand previously served as president of Sunrise Banks for 12 years. Prior to that, she was a principal at Clifton Larson Allen for nearly 10 years. In addition, she serves on the boards of the Family Housing Fund, which promotes affordable housing in the Twin Cities, and Habitat for Humanity Minnesota.
“It’s an important time in the housing market across Minnesota, and our members are positioned and prepared to partner to develop and create market-driven solutions,” said Ms. Beckstrand. “This is a tremendous honor and I’m excited to lead the MMHA during this time if critical importance for our industry.”
The Minnesota Multi Housing Association is a statewide non-profit trade organization for the multi-housing industry. With nearly 2,100 members representing more than 250,000 housing units, the group supports the multi-housing industry through public policy leadership, educational opportunities and communications and marketing in ways that enhance the industry for its members, residents and communities.
Experienced Recruiters
CohenTaylor is a boutique executive search firm dedicated to non-profit and public sector organizations. Founded by Chris Cohen and Don Taylor, the firm has conducted hundreds of leadership searches, locally and nationally, in multiple sectors. CohenTaylor’s clients include Second Harvest Heartland, Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership, First Avenue Productions, Healthy Building Network, Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota and Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties, among others.
Ms. Cohen has worked in the executive search industry since 1997. In that time, she has built a practice focused on non-profit leadership and fundraising, marketing, sales, management, finance and operations search assignments. Mr. Taylor’s 30-year history as a non-profit executive has included primary roles in resource development, leadership and strategic direction for organizations in healthcare, education, human services and organized philanthropy.
Turning to Search Firms
Economic and community development organizations continue to turn to executive search firms to find new leaders. Here’s a look at a few recent searches across the sector from the Hunt Scanlon Media newswire archives:
Morris & Berger a recruitment firm that specializes in searches for non-profit organizations, has been enlisted by LA Family Housing (LAFH) to help find a new chief development officer. LAFH helps people transition out of homelessness and poverty through a continuum of housing enriched with supportive services.
Gans, Gans & Associates has been retained by the Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority (LMHA) in Toledo, OH, to lead its search for a new chief financial officer. Executive recruiter Ernest Barefield is heading the assignment. LMHA has provided housing opportunities to Lucas, Fulton, Wood and Monroe county residents for over 80 years.
Following an extensive national search, Bialla Partners has placed Tallia Hart as president and chief executive officer of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. Partner Jeff Hodge led the assignment. Ms. Hart is the first woman, first minority and youngest to lead the 167-year old organization.
Brent Cooper, an entrepreneur, small business owner and longtime leader in the regional business community, has been named president and CEO of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. The organization enlisted Cincinnati-based executive recruitment firm Centennial Inc. to conduct the search.
Raffa Nonprofit Search recruited Leila Finucane as CEO of Victory Housing to lead its search for a new president and CEO. Peggy Sand, Raffa senior search and sustainability consultant, led the assignment. The organization serves as the private, non-profit housing affiliate of the Archdiocese of Washington (ADW).
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media