Pearl Street Collective

About Us

Pearl Street, the search firm with purpose, is the award-winning, retained executive search and talent strategy consultancy serving the nonprofit, education, and healthcare sectors. Headquartered in Boston and San Diego, with team members nationwide, we work across functional areas, specializing in fundraising and advancement.

Women-founded and led by a diverse group of professionals dedicated to redefining search for the mission-driven space, Pearl Street leads with radical empathy, active listening, and transparency. As trusted talent advisors, we leverage our deep industry knowledge and rigorous, process-driven approach to help our clients build high-performing, diverse leadership teams that realize meaningful and lasting impact in their communities.

Pearl Street is recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms, featured in Hunt Scanlon’s top recruiter shortlists for Nonprofits and Higher Education, and named a Top Search Firm by Women of Color in Fundraising & Philanthropy for four consecutive years.

Achievements

Recent Searches

You can find current searches of Pearl Street Collective here: https://pearlstreetcollective.com/searches/

Pearl Street Collective

Solutions And Expertise

Pearl Street provides a hands-on, deeply personalized approach for clients and candidates alike, focusing on a limited number of engagements to meet the unique needs and timetables of each. While we work across function areas, we possess a deep expertise in fundraising and advancement having placed hundreds of leaders in organizations ranging from universities, colleges, and independent schools to hospitals and medical centers to nonprofits in the areas of social justice, youth support, disease advocacy and research, human services, tech for good, food equity, and more.

Our customized approach and total investment ensure a more thorough understanding of a client’s culture, values, and strategic goals. It also allows us to spend more time with individual candidates, helping them understand and evaluate an opportunity as well as their own motivations and career goals, which makes for a more affirming experience all around.

Everything we do is fueled by our mission to connect people with their purpose so that organizations can thrive.

Solutions
  • Data Analy./Mrkt. Intell.
  • Executive Search
  • Recruitment Research
  • Talent Strategy Consulting
Industries
  • Associations
  • Clinical Research
  • Colleges/Universities
  • Cultural Arts
  • Education
  • Family Offices
  • Foundations
  • Higher Education
  • K-12
  • Non-Profit
Functions
  • Board/Governance
  • Business Development
  • C-Level
  • C-Suite
  • CEO/President
  • Communications/PR
  • Data/Analytics
  • Development
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • General Management
  • GM/Operations
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing & Sales

Pearl Street Collective

News Briefings

Pearl Street Collective Assists UMass Amherst Foundation with Chief Development Officer Search

After a nationwide search, Boston-based Pearl Street Collective has assisted UMass Amherst Foundation (UMAF) in the recruitment of Robin Elkins as senior executive director and chief development officer for the UMass Amherst College of Social & Behavioral Sciences. Ms. Elkins is a highly regarded fundraising strategist and relationship builder whose experience spans higher education and the

Non-Profits Seek New Kinds of Leaders with Help from Search Firms

Executive search for the non-profit sector often mirrors broader hiring trends, with a distinct focus on leadership, strategic vision, and organizational impact. Recruiters say that non-profits, generally, are increasingly seeking executives and management teams who can provide strong leadership, articulate a compelling vision, and inspire stakeholders. Like most sectors, there is a growing emphasis on

Pearl Street Collective Recruits Chief Development Officer for the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing at University Of Massachusetts Amherst

Virtually every industry needs top-drawer chief development officers. CDOs play a key role in planning, coordinating, and administering capital campaigns, corporate giving, and galvanizing new donors while keeping previous funders content. Implementing funding strategies that “keep the lights on,” according to recruiters specializing in the function, is job No. 1. Boston-based executive search firm Pearl Street

Pearl Street Collective Fills Key Position for Northeastern University

Boston-based executive search firm Pearl Street Collective has assisted in the recruitment of Chris DeMeo to the newly created leadership role of associate vice president of marketing and communications for the office of university advancement at Northeastern University. Co-founders and managing partners Adele Mezher and Maeve Clifford led the assignment. Mr. DeMeo has a track record

Pearl Street Collective

Press Releases

Robin Elkins Joins UMass Amherst Foundation As Chief Development Officer, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

Pearl Street, the award-winning executive search and talent strategy firm serving the education, nonprofit and healthcare sectors, is pleased to share the appointment of Robin Elkins as Senior Executive Director & Chief Development Officer, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, with UMass Amherst Foundation (UMAF). Robin is a highly regarded fundraising strategist and relationship builder

UMass Amherst Foundation Welcomes Barbara Vejvoda as Associate Vice President of Principal Gifts

Boston, MA/Virtual – Pearl Street, the award-winning executive search and talent strategy firm serving the education, nonprofit and healthcare sectors, is pleased to share the appointment of Barbara “Barb” Vejvoda as Associate Vice President of Principal Gifts with UMass Amherst Foundation (UMAF). A recognized leader in transformational giving strategy, Barb brings fifteen years of expertise

Cenetta Baker Joins Pearl Street as Senior Research Consultant

Pearl Street, the search firm with purpose, proudly welcomes Cenetta Baker to our national team as Senior Research Consultant. Drawing on her executive search expertise and hands-on experience in arts and social justice nonprofits, Cenetta excels at building diverse, thoughtfully curated talent networks for clients in the education, healthcare and nonprofit spaces. Before joining Pearl

Pearl Street Places Cheryl Katon as President & CEO of Emancipet

Pearl Street is pleased to share the appointment of Cheryl Katon as President & Chief Executive Officer of Emancipet, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making veterinary care affordable and accessible for all pet owners. Cheryl Katon is a proven leader who has employed strategic vision, creativity, and innovation throughout her more than thirty-year career in

Pearl Street Welcomes Shari Berenson as Director of Search Operations

Pearl Street, the search firm with purpose, welcomes industry leader Shari Berenson to its growing team. Shari will oversee day to day search operations for the firm, keeping the team seamlessly connected and focused on shared goals, while helping to ensure an exceptional journey for clients and candidates. Shari’s extensive experience across healthcare, higher education,