About Us

Established in 1993, McCormack + Kristel is a retained executive search firm providing executive and board search consulting services to nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. Our national practice serves mission-driven clients with expertise in placing executives in foundations, advocacy, education, social justice, healthcare, and human service organizations.

Pioneering search consultant Joseph A. McCormack founded our firm with a mission to ensure all candidates were given equal consideration by our clients. Since the earliest days of our practice, we have held an enduring commitment to deliver broadly diverse candidate pools, equitable interview and selection processes, and inclusive recruiting practices. Today, we are proud to be one of the nation’s leading diversity-focused search firms supporting client organizations to build leadership teams that seek justice for the communities they serve.

The McCormack + Kristel team brings decades of recruiting, organizational and leadership development consulting, and nonprofit executive experience to our client engagements. We employ a proven research-based methodology to identify top talent and maintain a steadfast commitment to the highest standards of client engagement. Our strategic processes and client-centered approach consistently yield outstanding placements and satisfied clients.

Achievements

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To make a difference as executive search consultants by ensuring that all qualified candidates — especially gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, racial and ethnic minorities and candidates irrespective of age — are given equal opportunity for consideration by our clients and treated with respect and dignity.

To support, encourage and nurture those in need, including people with HIV/AIDS whose improving health enables them to return to work.

To offer hope, inspiration, compassion and practical assistance to those willing and able to make a contribution.

To afford opportunities for our associates to learn and grown personally and professionally.

To encourage every individual to achieve his or her potential as a person and as a member of the team. To strive for continuous quality improvement and to use our setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth. To identify outstanding leaders for our clients and to find self-expression in our work through the pursuit of excellence and by making the world a better place.

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

News Briefings

McCormack+Kristel Seeking Chief Program Officer for the Sacramento LGBT Community Center

Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel was recently retained by the Sacramento LGBT Community Center to lead in its search for a new chief program officer. Reporting to the CEO and serving as a key partner on the senior leadership team, the chief program officer is a strategic and visionary program leader for a growing agency. This executive

McCormack+Kristel Recruits Executive Director for Identity

Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel recently assisted in the placement of Tom Pittman as the new executive director of Identity in Anchorage, AK. “The board of directors is pleased to have Tom Pittman serve as executive director,” said Owen Hutchinson, board co-chair, Identity. “He brings stability and proven leadership to the organization. In his new role, he will

McCormack+Kristel Assists The Funders Network with CEO Search

Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel recently assisted in the placement of Dion Cartwright as the new president and CEO of The Funders Network in Coral Gables, FL. Managing partner Michelle Kristel led the assignment with search consultant Zaria Davis. “When TFN president and CEO Pat Smith announced her retirement this summer, we began the daunting but admittedly exciting

McCormack+Kristel Recruits Chief People Officer for the Los Angeles LGBT Center

Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has assisted in the recruitment of Carlo Giovanni as the new chief people officer for the Los Angeles LGBT Center, which fights to advance civil rights and freedoms for LGBTQ people domestically and internationally through education, advocacy, and community organizing. Managing partner Michelle Kristel led the assignment. “Join us in congratulating Carlo Giovanni

Press Releases

Announcing TransForm’s New Leader

This is a joint announcement from the Co-Chairs of TransForm’s Board of Directors, Alice Chen and Paolo Cosulich-Schwartz. (Oct. 21, 2020) We are so excited to announce that after a thorough and competitive search, TransForm will welcome Darnell Grisby as our new Executive Director beginning October 26. Darnell spent the last nine years as Director

Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research Welcomes New Medical Advisor, Stephanie Graff, MD

(Oct. 16, 2020) Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research is thrilled to announce the appointment of a new Medical Advisor joining the Foundation’s team this October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Joining is Stephanie Graff, MD, an accomplished physician who is board certified in Medical Oncology, Hematology and Internal Medicine. Dr. Graff has a

Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research Welcomes New Medical Advisor, Lina Romero, MD

(Oct. 16, 2020) Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research is pleased to announce the appointment of a new medical advisor joining the Foundation’s team this October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Lina Romero, MD, is a dedicated and collaborative oncoplastic breast surgeon and leader with extensive experience as a clinician, researcher, and medical educator.

Linda McFarlane Appointed as the Next Executive Director of Just Detention International

(Sept. 15, 2020) Linda McFarlane, a veteran advocate and JDI’s longtime Deputy Executive Director, will take over next month as the organization’s new Executive Director. McFarlane brings to the role her extensive experience leading JDI’s pathbreaking initiatives to prevent and respond to sexual abuse inside detention facilities, and her expertise from more than three decades

SAAF’s Next CEO: Dr. Ravi Grivois-Shah Named Next Chief Executive Officer of SAAF

(June 25, 2020) The SAAF Board of Directors is pleased to share with you that Dr. Ravi Grivois-Shah has been selected and hired to be the next Chief Executive Officer for SAAF. Our search firm reached out to hundreds of candidates nationwide, and received fifty-four applications; six candidates proceeded to interviews. Ravi distinguished himself from