Koya Leadership Partners Adds Mission-Driven Recruiting Specialist

April 5, 2019 – Non-profit search specialist Koya Leadership Partners has expanded with the addition of Kara Teising as a vice president. Based in Nashville, TN, Ms. Teising’s role will be to match mission-driven clients with transformational leaders who are driving positive change.

“Teising’s extensive experience in the mission-driven executive search space – combined with her passion and commitment to providing exceptional service – makes her a perfect fit for Koya,” said Katie Bouton, founder and CEO of Koya Leadership Partners. Ms. Teising has partnered with clients such as Make-A-Wish, Earthjustice, BoardSource and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance to place high impact leaders. “She brings a wealth of knowledge, an impressive network of contacts, a commitment to client service and an infectious energy to the Koya family,” said Ms. Bouton.

“We’re thrilled to have Kara on the team and know she will be a key leader in Koya’s strategic impact across the country and around the world,” she said.

Mission-Driven Consultant

Ms. Teising has more than 15 years of dedicated experience in the mission-driven executive search space. Her expertise lies in leading searches for C-Suite and executive-level roles in senior leadership, development, marketing, communications and programs for nonprofits, private foundations, corporate foundations and mission-driven private sector companies. She has experience recruiting for a broad range of clients including Earthjustice, BoardSource, Colorectal Cancer Alliance, Make-A-Wish and the Volgenau Foundation.

Previously, Ms. Teising was partner with DHR International/Jobplex. Before that, she served as partner and leader of the non-profit practice of ThinkingAhead Executive Search. Prior to that, she spent six years as a sales person and sales manager with their parent company, Southwestern Advantage.

“I am proud to join the Koya team because its mission and vision align with my purpose and values,” said Ms. Teising. “The thing that sets Koya apart is its exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and their ongoing prioritization of diversity, equity and inclusion. Diversity, social purpose and working to make the world a better place are all so important to me, and I’m excited to work with intention and passion to incorporate all these elements into every search and every placement.”

Non-Profit Specialists 

Boston-based Koya Leadership Partners is a national executive search and human capital consulting firm that works exclusively with non-profits and social enterprises. This year, the firm was again recognized by Hunt Scanlon Media as one of the top 50 search firms in the Americas.

Koya has developed a national reputation for identifying executive directors and CEOs across the non-profit sector, including those for Hudson Webber Foundation, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois, Glazer Children’s Museum and Tourette Association of America, among many others.


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Koya continues to be in growth mode. The firm expanded its mission-driven specialization with the addition of Nicole Kamaleson as a managing director. She focuses on executive searches globally for international development, advocacy, human rights and humanitarianism organizations. Ms. Kamaleson has significant experience with clients spanning the globe from Thailand, Mozambique, India, Haiti, Korea to Bosnia. Previously, she was partner of the global non-profit practice for Perrett Laver,

Just recently, Koya added Maureen Alphonse-Charles as managing director in Boston. Ms. Alphonse-Charles is expected to help strengthen the firm’s work across non-profits and mission-driven organizations, building a bridge between non-profits, the corporate sector and corporate boards. Ms. Alphonse-Charles’ background includes more than 20 years of executive search experience. She is a pioneer in diversity, equity and inclusion work, and has broken tremendous barriers in the Boston area, said Koya. As the first African-American president of the Boston Club, Ms. Alphonse-Charles founded and chaired its diversity and inclusion committee and is continuing to do important work in that role.

Koya also named Naree W.S. Viner as a managing director. Based in the New York City area, she works with museum clients and beyond, helping expand Koya’s art and culture portfolio. Ms. Viner has nearly 15 years of executive recruiting experience, with a focus on art museums and other cultural institutions. She was previously with Korn Ferry, where she placed chief executives and senior staff at regional, national, and international art, education and social service organizations.

Lastly, Koya acquired Commongood Careers, which specializes in recruiting leaders nationwide for organizations committed to social impact. The acquisition also enables Koya to partner with talent across the career lifespan. Commongood Careers, headquartered in Boston, specializes in recruiting leaders nationwide for positions from the manager level up to the C-suite at organizations committed to social impact. Commongood’s clients include GreenLight Fund, Center for Effective Philanthropy, New Profit, Tipping Point and many others.

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media

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