About Us

BoardWalk Consulting is a national executive search firm that specializes in recruiting CEOs and senior leaders for nonprofits and foundations. The firm has seasoned practitioners who have served as nonprofit executives, grant makers and Board leaders for a wide variety of organizations. Nonprofit leadership is our passion and life’s work. BoardWalk delivers on its promise: Finding leaders that matter for missions that matter.® 

BoardWalk has led over 200 searches for over 110 distinct clients in 27 states. Its nonprofit clients are national, regional and local. They have missions that are global, or national, regional or place-based. Their diversity spans mission, size, culture, challenges and aspirations. In each unique context, BoardWalk’s proactive, comprehensive, client-centered approach delivers leaders who exceed expectations, from the start and over the long haul.

BoardWalk Consulting was founded in 2002 by Sam Pettway, a 30-year search veteran and former partner of global search firms including Spencer Stuart and Egon Zehnder. Realizing that his passion was serving organizations that exist to do good, Sam launched the firm and attracted other leaders whose background, passion and commitment enable BoardWalk to deliver on its promise of Finding leaders that matter for missions that matter.®

In partnership with clients, the firm recruits leaders who possess the skills, experience, fit and passion essential to advancing their organization’s mission, aspirations and goals.

ACHIEVEMENTS

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At Boardwalk Consulting, they are practitioners with diverse corporate and nonprofit backgrounds. They have chaired boards, provided leadership within nonprofit and grant making organizations and served as community volunteers.

Their combined experience in the private and nonprofit sectors enables them to quickly identify the mission-critical strengths and abilities necessary to further an organization’s mission and aspirations.

The combination of nonprofit experience, knowledge and passion gives them an uncommon advantage in Finding leaders that matter for missions that matter.®

Solutions And Expertise

BoardWalk has led over 200 searches for over 110 distinct clients in 27 states. Its nonprofit clients are national, regional and local. They have missions that are global, or national, regional or place-based.

Their diversity spans mission, size, culture, challenges and aspirations. In each unique context, BoardWalk’s proactive, comprehensive, client-centered approach delivers leaders who exceed expectations, from the start and over the long haul.

Solutions
Industries
Functions
  • Board/Governance
  • CEO/President
  • Development
  • Finance/Accounting
  • GM/Operations
  • Marketing & Sales

News Briefings

BoardWalk Consulting Seeks CEO for Kids in Need Foundation

Executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting has been enlisted to find the next chief executive officer for the Kids in Need Foundation (KINF), a national leader in helping children in need gain access to school supplies. Senior director John Sparrow is leading the assignment. By providing essential school supplies and advocating for the direct impact they

5 Questions Candidates Should Ask During the Search Process

There has been much discussion about the key questions to be addressed a search for a new CEO, but what about from the candidates’ side and the questions they should ask during the executive search process. “If you find yourself in front of a search committee, what are the key questions you want to be

Families First Turns to BoardWalk Consulting for New Leader

Executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting has been selected to find the next chief executive officer for Families First, a non-profit family service agency based in Atlanta. Managing director Kathy Bremer and senior associate Laura Lovelace are leading the assignment for the search firm. Families First is seeking a CEO with proven leadership, communication and organizational

Boardwalk Consulting Finds Executive Director for Year Up Atlanta

Following an expansive national search, Atlanta-based executive search firm BoardWalk Consulting helped in the placement of Grace Jackson as executive director of Year Up Greater Atlanta. BoardWalk Consulting director Crystal Stephens led the assignment. Year Up Greater Atlanta is a one-year, intensive training program that provides low-income young adults, ages 18 to 24, with a combination of

Press Releases

Cyril Turner named President of Year Up

MARCH 27, 2019 – After an extensive nationwide search, Year Up has named Cyril Turner as its next President. Turner will succeed Garett Moran, who led the organization’s growth and expansion for more than 5 years. Turner comes to Year Up from Delta Air Lines, Inc., where he was President of Delta Global Services and Delta Private

Leslie Gordon Announced As Executive Director of Breman Museum

JANUARY 28, 2019 – Concluding a wide-ranging national search, the Board of Directors of the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum has unanimously voted to appoint Leslie Gordon, a native of Savannah and an acclaimed Atlanta cultural leader, as its new Executive Director. She will start on February 4, 2019. Ms. Gordon has served as Director of the

Covenant House Names New Executive Director

ATLANTA, GA, March 29, 2018 – The Board of Directors of Covenant House Georgia, a place of refuge, hope and healing for homeless and trafficked youth, has appointed Alieizoria “Alie” Redd as executive director, according to a press release. Redd joins Covenant House Georgia from CHRIS 180, where she has served as vice president of Placement Services

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta names CEO

ATLANTA, GA, February 13, 2018 – The board of directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, a nonprofit that leverages the power of mentors on behalf of metro Atlanta’s youth, Feb. 13 announced the appointment of Kwame Johnson as its new CEO. Johnson, the executive director of the greater Atlanta region for PowerMyLearning, succeeds

Kanuga Conferences Appoints Organization’s 10th President

ATLANTA, GA, September 3, 2016 — Kanuga Conferences has appointed the Rev. Michael Radford Sullivan as president effective early November. Most recently, Sullivan served as rector of Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Parish in Atlanta, where he has been since 2009. Sullivan brought stability to finances of the 2,500-member parish and has extensive strategic planning and fundraising experience, including a

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