About US

KEES is a woman-owned and operated executive search firm that builds transformative teams and leaders in the nonprofit sector.

KEES (Kistner Eddy Executive Services) was founded in 2013 as an expansion of Alford Executive Search, which began in 2000 as a part of The Alford Group. KEES co-founder Heather Eddy was a key leader at The Alford Group and Alford Executive Search from 1996-2013 and now serves as President and CEO of KEES.

Heather Eddy and co-founder Remo Kistner established KEES to expand the firm’s services beyond just Executive Search, thereby supporting nonprofits more effectively in various capacities. Today, KEES is a national boutique firm that offers leadership development, interim staffing, and human resources support in addition to executive search services.

KEES has partnered with hundreds of clients across the country, and we pride ourselves on our personal touch and the above-average tenures of our candidate placements. We strive to foster multi-level partnerships, and over half of our clients choose to partner with us again. KEES specifically tailors our services to meet each organization’s individual needs, creating efficiencies and moving missions forward.

Nonprofits provide critical services that strengthen society and bolster community. To do so, they require strong leadership teams and a solid infrastructure. KEES is dedicated to ensuring that missions are fulfilled, visions are achieved, and our clients are able to do what they do best…go out and change the world.

Achievements

Recent Placements:

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Our long-tenured staff has served as board members, CEOs, Development Directors, HR executives, and more. We recognize and understand the many challenges facing nonprofits today. KEES brings a wealth of nonprofit consulting expertise to each project we tackle, drawing on past experience, learned knowledge, and a practical, applicable skill set. Click on any team member’s name to the right to access their full bio.

Solutions And Expertise

We offer several areas of service – including Executive Search, Specialty and Interim Staffing, HR Consulting, Leadership Development and much more – that are designed to strengthen the people and processes that shape an organization.

Solutions
  • Assessment
  • Board Services
  • Culture Shaping
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Executive Coaching
  • Executive Search
  • Interim
  • Leadership Consulting
  • Leadership Develop.
  • Onboarding
  • Succession Planning
  • Temporary Staffing
Industries
  • Associations
  • Colleges/Universities
  • Cultural Arts
  • Education
  • Faith Based
  • Family Offices
  • Foundations
  • Government
  • Healthcare Services
  • K-12
Functions
  • Board/Governance
  • CEO/President
  • Data/Analytics
  • Development
  • Human Resources

News Briefings

KEES Retained by Little City Foundation to Find New Leader

Executive search and non-profit consulting firm KEES is seeking a new executive director for Little City Foundation in Chicago. Shawn Jeffers, having served and expanded Little City over the past 20 years, plans to retire after a new leader is identified. KEES president Heather Eddy and project coordinator Megan Taylor will lead the search. The new leader

KEES Seeks Executive Director for Bay Area Urban Debate League

Executive search and non-profit consulting firm KEES has been enlisted to find an executive director for the Bay Area Urban Debate League (BAUDL), an Oakland CA non-profit that partners with schools in the San Francisco Bay Area to found debate teams that help to transform the lives of their student participants. The assignment is led by Laura

KEES Recruits CEO for Youth Job Center

Executive search and non-profit consulting firm KEES recently recruited Lucretzia Jamiso as the new executive director of Youth Job Center (YJC), a youth workforce agency in Cook County, IL. She will succeed Karen Tollenaar Demorest, who is departing in June after eight years leading the organization. “The entirety of Lucretzia’s professional experience has been in roles that help

KEES Recruits CEO for NeighborHealth Center

Executive search and non-profit consulting firm KEES recently recruited Daniel Lipparelli as chief executive officer of NeighborHealth Center in Raleigh, NC. This follows a comprehensive, national search that attracted many diverse candidates both regionally and nationally. The search committee ultimately selected Mr. Lipparelli from a strong group of top finalists. “Daniel is the perfect blend of servant leader, entrepreneurial non-profit executive, and engaging ambassador that will ensure NeighborHealth Center flourishes in

Press Releases

KEES Retained by Little City to Lead Executive Director Search

Nonprofit and public sector executive search firm KEES has been exclusively retained by Little City Foundation in its search for its next Executive Director. With over ten programs throughout the Chicagoland area, Little City engages and supports individuals, families, and communities to ensure that children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can realize their

Bay Area Urban Debate League selects Mya Whitaker as its next Executive Director

Bay Area Urban Debate League (BAUDL), a non-profit organization in Oakland, CA that partners with local school districts, ensuring all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential as engaged learners, critical thinkers, and capable civic advocates, has promoted Mya Whitaker to Executive Director. Whitaker’s appointment was the outcome of a comprehensive executive search.

Fernwood Botanical Garden taps industry leader Chris Jabin as Director of Development

KEES Executive Search Client Partner, Fernwood Botanical Garden, a 105-acre botanical garden, arboretum, and nature preserve located in Niles, Michigan, has selected industry leader Christopher “Chris” Jabin as Director of Development following a comprehensive search. Currently serving in a consulting capacity through Dragonfly Advisors, Inc., Jabin offers strategic consulting to build philanthropic and investor networks,

Chicago Debates Selects KEES to Find Next Executive Director

Nonprofit and public sector executive search firm KEES has been retained to find the next Executive Director for Chicago Debates. Chicago Debates focuses on advancing the educational achievement, community contributions, and life success of Chicago’s youth through the transformative power of academic debate. KEES Vice President Laura Weinman and Consultant Stacy Harker will lead the

Storycatchers Theatre retains Executive Search Firm KEES to lead Executive Director Search

Nonprofit and public sector executive search firm KEES has been retained to find the next Executive Director for Storycatchers Theatre. A non-profit youth empowerment organization in Chicago, Storycatchers Theatre guides young people impacted by the juvenile justice system to transform their traumatic experiences into powerful musical theatre, developing the courage and vision to become leaders