Koya Strengthens Staff with Diversity Pioneer

October 12, 2018 – Non-profit search specialist Koya Leadership Partners has expanded with the addition of Maureen Alphonse-Charles as managing director.

Based 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. She sits on the boards of Boston University, Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

“Maureen is a strong, determined advocate for women in business. She’s thoughtful, reflective, passionate and a tireless champion for social justice,” said Katie Bouton, Koya’s founder and CEO. “Maureen is determined to increase the number of women in meaningful, important leadership roles including corporate board positions. I have no doubt that she will help move that dial and the Koya team will help her every step of the way.”

Diversity Pioneer

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. Additionally, she has developed a track record of rounding out teams, including providing strategic counsel around social justice; diversity, equity and inclusion; and advancing women’s leadership.


Diversity Hiring Is Lagging At CEO and CFO Levels
Across the executive ranks, five times more men than women were appointed to new positions, according to a report by TRANSEARCH. The study found that only one-fourth of newly appointed senior-level executives were diverse candidates. 


As the first African-American president of the Boston Club, Ms. Alphonse-Charles founded and chaired its Diversity & Inclusion Committee and is continuing to do important work in that role.

“Working with talented professionals across all backgrounds – including people of color and women – ignites my spirit,” said Ms. Alphonse-Charles. “At my core, I am intent on creating balance. I aim to be the voice of the voiceless, who need to be heard but are not. I know that social justice is taken very seriously at Koya, and that we’re aligned in our missions. I am truly honored to join this amazing group.”

“I love Koya’s culture and how the firm fully embraces inclusion, internally and externally. It’s apparent from both the work they do and the language they use,” she said.

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.


Hunt Scanlon Top 50 Non-Profit & Higher Education Search Firms
Hunt Scanlon Media presents its first ever roundup of leading recruiters in the non-profit / higher education sectors. Check out these top 50 trailblazers – ranging from the largest recruiting and talent leadership solutions firms to the leading boutique specialists.

Top 50

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.

Recently, the firm 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.

Koya also 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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