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 Seeks Executive Director for Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority

Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has been enlisted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) to find its next executive director. 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 Dixon and Molly Rysman, who served as acting co-executive directors

Joe McCormack Set to Retire from McCormack+Kristel

Veteran search consultant Joe McCormack, founder of McCormack+Kristel, will be retiring this summer after 29 years. Managing partner Michelle Kristel will continue to run the firm’s national practice. “Founding and running our firm has been the most important work of my career,” said Mr. McCormack. “During the past 29 years, I have been fortunate to

McCormack+Kristel Seeking CEO for Bronx Parent Housing Network

Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has been enlisted to find the next chief executive officer for the Bronx Parent Housing Network (BPHN), one of the largest shelter provider in New York City. Last February, Victor Rivera was fired from the role after accusations of sexual misconduct. The assignment is being led by Michelle Kristel, managing partner, and

McCormack+Kristel Recruits Executive Director for Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice

LGBTQ-focused executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has placed Joy Chia as the new executive director of the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice in New York City. The charitable foundation supports grantee partners in the U.S and internationally who challenge oppression and seed change. Interim executive director Sandy Nathan has been leading the non-profit organization since 2019. Ms.

Press Releases

PFLAG National Names Dr. Jaime M. Grant as New Executive Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. September 12, 2017 – PFLAG National—the nation’s largest and oldest organization uniting families and allies with people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ)—named Jaime M. Grant, Ph. D. as its new Executive Director. Dr. Grant, a longtime social-justice leader and innovator, assumes leadership of an organization, founded in 1972, with over

Center CEO Search Enters Next Phase With Appointment of Search With Committee and Selection of Professional Search Firm

SAN DIEGO, CA, June, 2017 – The San Diego LGBT Community Center’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Delores Jacobs, announced that she would complete the term of her current contract, which expires at the end of June 2018, but would not sign a new contract. Since that time, Dr. Jacobs and The Center’s Board of Directors