McCormack + Kristel

About Us

Established in 1993, McCormack + Kristel is a national retained executive search firm with expertise in discovering transformational leadership talent for mission-driven organizations. We know that visionary leaders fuel innovation, nurture creativity, and inspire action, and we are passionate about connecting our nonprofit and philanthropic clients with top-tier executives who ignite impact.

Because we believe in the power of purpose to create a more just and equitable world, our practice is focused exclusively on the social impact sector. Our team of talent acquisition experts, board leaders, and former nonprofit executives has a nuanced understanding of the leadership challenges and opportunities unique to these organizations, and we know how to find leaders who can navigate complex landscapes and advance missions. We excel at discovering leaders who share our client’s values and have the proven skills to drive meaningful change.

Since the earliest days of our practice, long before diversity, equity, and inclusion were buzzwords, we have held an enduring commitment to sourcing candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives; presenting inclusive candidate panels; and conducting equitable evaluation and selection processes. Today, we are proud to be one of the nation’s leading diversity-focused search firms supporting client organizations to build more dynamic, innovative, and engaged leadership teams.

Integrity is core to our firm’s values and exemplified in each relationship and every aspect of our process. Our client and candidate engagements are characterized by transparency and respect, and trust is earned and kept by maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality, providing candid feedback, and sharing informed insights.

Achievements

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McCormack + Kristel understands that visionary leadership ignites transformation, nurtures growth, and empowers communities. We know that diversity is a cornerstone of thriving and effective organizations fueling innovation, inspiring teams, and fostering equity.

We partner with mission-driven organizations to discover leaders who share our client’s vision and embody their ethos. We identify and recruit top-tier executive talent with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives crucial to driving success and meaningful change.

Established in 1993, McCormack + Kristel is a national retained search firm with expertise in discovering transformative leaders for mission-driven nonprofit and philanthropic clients. For more than three decades, diversity, equity, and inclusion have been at the core of the firm’s values and practices. Today, we are proud to be one of the nation’s leading diversity-focused search firms supporting our clients to identify executive and senior leaders who drive impact and create meaningful change.

McCormack + Kristel

Solutions And Expertise

Solutions
  • Board Services
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Executive Search
  • Interim
  • Onboarding
Industries
  • Foundations
  • Non-Profit
Functions
  • Board/Governance
  • CEO/President
  • Development
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Finance/Accounting
  • GM/Operations
  • Medical/Clinical

McCormack + Kristel

News Briefings

McCormack+Kristel Recruits Director for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Openhouse

Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has assisted in the recruitment of Rob Sánchez-Nelson as director for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (DJEDI) of Openhouse in San Francisco. Bryan Epps led the assignment. Working across departments and with the board’s JEDI committee, Rob Sánchez-Nelson will identify real-time opportunities and challenges for Openhouse to deepen its commitment, competency, and JEDI outcomes

McCormack+Kristel Recruits Executive Director for the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association

Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has placed Anya Lynn-Alesker (they/she) as executive director of the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association. “We are confident that Lynn-Alesker will lead our organization to new heights as we continue our important mission of promoting justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBTQ+ community in all its diversity,” said Bendita Cynthia Malakia,

McCormack+Kristel Seeking Director for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Openhouse

Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has been retained by Openhouse to lead in its search for a director for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (DJEDI). Bryan Epps is leading the assignment. Working across departments and with the board’s JEDI committee, the new director will identify real-time opportunities and challenges for Openhouse to deepen its commitment, competency, and JEDI

Non-Profits Seek New Kinds of Leaders with Help from Search Firms

Executive search for the non-profit sector often mirrors broader hiring trends, with a distinct focus on leadership, strategic vision, and organizational impact. Recruiters say that non-profits, generally, are increasingly seeking executives and management teams who can provide strong leadership, articulate a compelling vision, and inspire stakeholders. Like most sectors, there is a growing emphasis on

McCormack + Kristel

Press Releases

CenterLink Announces the Appointment of Denise Spivak at CEO

(May 14, 2020) Ft. Lauderdale, FL- Today, the Board of Directors of CenterLink announced that they have appointed longtime staff member Denise Spivak as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer. Stacie Walls, CEO of LGBT Life Center and CenterLink Co-Chair of the Board of Directors says, “Denise has been an integral part of what makes

Lambda Legal Announces National CEO Search

(March 28, 2019) Today, Lambda Legal announced its search for the organization’s next CEO. McCormack + Kristel, the nation’s first and most experienced LGBTQ retained search firm, in collaboration with WB&B, an executive search firm focused on diversity and inclusion, will assist Lambda Legal’s Board of Directors. “Lambda Legal’s Board of Directors knows how critical

Brian Bond Named New Executive Director of PFLAG National

(Jan. 17, 2019) WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, PFLAG National—the nation’s first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their families, and allies—announced that Brian Bond will join the organization as its new Executive Director, effective February 1st. Board President Kathy Godwin said, “I am thrilled to welcome Brian to the helm of

Out for Undergrad Announces Dr. Cindi Love New Executive Director

NEW YORK, NY, November 16, 2017 – Out for Undergrad (O4U) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Cindi Love as its new Executive Director effective January 2, 2018. McCormack+Kristal conducted the nationwide search for O4U, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to helping high-potential lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) undergraduates achieve success in their careers. O4U currently

McCormack + Kristel Recruits Leaders for Impact Organizations

PALM SPRINGS, CA, October 3, 2017 –  Continuing its 24-year record of successful executive placements, McCormack+Kristel recently recruited new chief executives for PFLAG National and New York’s Bailey House, and launched a CEO search for The San Diego LGBT Community Center. PFLAG National recently appointed Dr. Jaime Grant as their new Executive Director. Founded in