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 Chosen by Los Angeles LGBT Center to Find New CFO

McCormack+Kristel has been enlisted to find a new chief financial officer for the Los Angeles LGBT Center. The search firm is seeking candidates with a passion for the center’s work and its mission to make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people. Managing partner Michelle Kristel is leading the assignment. Reporting to the CEO, the CFO directly

McCormack+Kristel Seeks Executive Director for Alaska-Based Identity Inc.

Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has been enlisted to find an executive director for Anchorage, AK-based Identity Inc. The non-profit works to advance Alaska’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, two-spirited + communities through advocacy, education, healthcare, and connectivity. Search consultants Zaria Davis and Bryan Epps are leading the assignment. The executive director is responsible for the

McCormack+Kristel Tapped to Find Chief People Officer for Los Angeles LGBT Center

Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has been enlisted to find a 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 is spearheading the assignment. The new chief people officer will be expected to modernize

McCormack+Kristel Recruits Executive Director for Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority

Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has assisted in the recruitment of Va Lecia Adams Kellum as the new executive director of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). Managing partner Michelle Kristel led the assignment. Heidi Marston resigned from the role in April due to disagreements with the agency’s board of commissioners over pay for lower-level staff. In September, Kristina

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