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 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

KEES Recruits Executive Director for The Acorn Theater

Executive search and non-profit consulting firm, KEES, has recruited Beth Kaskel as the new executive director of The Acorn Theater (The Acorn) in Three Oaks, MI. Sandra Thompson, who has held The Acorn’s executive director role for the last five years announced in November that she would be shifting from administration, fundraising and general management to focus specifically on artistic

KEES Assists United Way of Will County with CEO Search

Executive search and non-profit consulting firm KEES (Kistner Eddy Executive Services) has assisted in the recruitment of Kamala Martinez as the new president and CEO of the United Way of Will County, in Illinois. Mike Hennessy, after 31 years leading the non-profit, recently retired. The assignment is being led by Heather Eddy, the search firm’s president and CEO.

KEES Seeks Key Leaders for New Partnership of Envision Unlimited and UCP Seguin of Chicago

Executive search and non-profit consulting firm KEES (Kistner Eddy Executive Services) has been enlisted to help fill two key leadership positions for a new organization being created by the strategic partnership of the non-profits Envision Unlimited and United Cerebral Palsy Seguin of Greater Chicago (UCP Seguin). KEES’ president and CEO Heather Eddy is leading the search for

Press Releases

The Salvation Army Del Oro Division Renews Partnership with KEES

(April 2022)  The Del Oro Division of The Salvation Army has exclusively retained KEES, a leading nonprofit and public sector executive search firm, in its search for two critical roles that support philanthropy. Headquartered in Sacramento, the Del Oro Division offers community centers and service offices throughout northern California and northern Nevada. Nationwide, KEES and

Michelle Cangelosi Named New Vice President of Transformational Philanthropy at Heifer International

(May 2021) Heifer International, a global development organization that works with local communities to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way, has hired Michelle Cangelosi as its next Vice President of Transformational Philanthropy. For the past 17 years, Michelle Cangelosi’s career has focused on working to improve livelihoods and communities around the world. Cangelosi

United Way of Will County Names Kamala Martinez President & CEO

(May, 2021) The United Way of Will County has unanimously approved hiring Kamala Martinez as its next President & CEO. Martinez steps into the new role after three years as CEO of KidsMatter Foundation (Naperville), a community-wide organization with a prevention-focused health strategy to combat teenage destructive behaviors. She also has more than 25 years

KEES Selected as Executive Search Partner for Envision Unlimited and UCP Seguin of Chicago

(March 1, 2021) Envision Unlimited and United Cerebral Palsy Seguin of Greater Chicago (UCP Seguin) have partnered with KEES, an executive search firm for nonprofits, for two key leadership positions: Chief Financial Officer and Chief External Affairs Officer. Envision Unlimited and UCP Seguin are entering into a strategic partnership that will create a stronger advocate for

KEES Has Been Exclusively Retained by The Acorn in its Search for a New Executive Director

(Feb. 15, 2021) The Board of Directors of The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts has retained KEES, an executive search firm for nonprofits, as its partner in the search for an experienced and accomplished Executive Director. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated business acumen and a passion for the arts and embody that