Koya Leadership Partners Adds Non-Profit Recruiting Expert

October 16, 2015 – Executive search firm Koya Leadership Partners has added Michelle Bonoan as managing director, executive search. In her new role, she will lead the firm’s expansion in Los Angeles and help support its growing number of West Coast non-profit clients.

With nearly 20 years of experience as a search consultant, Ms. Bonoan has led executive searches across a wide range of industries and functions. As a specialist serving the education, not-for-profit, and arts & culture sectors, she has completed searches for executives at the highest tiers, including: president/CEO, executive director, chief financial officer, fundraising leadership, program management, and a wide range of other key positions.

Most recently, Ms. Bonoan was a partner with Heidrick & Struggles, where she was a member of the firm’s education, non-profit and social enterprise practice. Her clients were nationwide and encompassed major non-profit organizations dedicated to education, social services, arts and culture, children and family services, environment, and health-related issues, as well as prominent educational institutions such as research and private universities, small liberal arts colleges, and independent college preparatory schools.

Prior to that, Ms. Bonoan was managing director, education and not-for-profit practice, for Diversified Search. Earlier in her career she gained experience with Gary Kaplan & Associates where she established and co-managed the firm’s practice exclusively serving education and non-profit clients.

“We are thrilled to welcome Michelle to Koya, as her experience in executive placement for the non-profit and education industries is the perfect match for the work we do for our clients,” said CEO Katie Bouton.  “Our business continues to grow on the West Coast, and we needed an executive who could hit the ground running and service our new business in Los Angeles and help support our office in San Francisco as well. Michelle’s deep knowledge and established business relationships in the non-profit sector gives our clients the edge in finding the most talented executives to join their organizations.”

“I was drawn to Koya’s genuine commitment to the non-profit and education sectors and I was impressed with the firm’s reputation and the brand that it has made for itself in executive search placements for non-profits,” said Ms. Bonoan. “I’m excited to work with the team at Koya Leadership Partners to strengthen our presence on the West Coast and nationally.”

Koya Leadership Partners, founded 11 years ago, is a specialist search boutique serving the leadership needs of non-profit sector enterprises. The firm has filled executive director roles for City On A Hill Charter Public Schools; EdFund/West Contra Costa County Public Education Fund; and Resources for Indispensable Schools and Educators. It is currently heading executive director searches for Corporate Angel Network and West Contra Costa Education Advocacy Organization.

The economic strength of the non-profit sector has been steadily increasing with an upswing in the economy and the sector is now the third largest employer in the U.S. Nearly two million non-profit organizations employ 10.7 million people and produce revenue in excess of $1.9 trillion.

Yet, hiring the right people can be problematic within the industry. According to the Nonprofit HR’s Employment Practices Survey, 33 percent of respondents say that finding the right talent the biggest staffing challenge they face.

Contributed by Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor, Hunt Scanlon Media

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