Lochlin Partners Assists the National Audubon Society with CDO Search
January 30, 2026 – Lochlin Partners has assisted in the recruitment of Shabina Bahl as chief development officer of the National Audubon Society. She will serve as a key member of Audubon’s executive team, responsible for overseeing principal, institutional, planned, and corporate giving.
Ms. Bahl is an accomplished development executive with over two decades of experience leading high-performing fundraising teams in complex not-for-profit environments. She has a track record of success in fundraising and team leadership within environmental, universities, hospitals and other charitable organizations. Ms. Bahl has directly raised $250+ million over the past 15 years in principal and major gifts. Most recently, she served as chief advancement officer at Sierra Club and Sierra Club Foundation leading all principal and major gift activities.
The National Audubon Society is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to protecting birds and the natural habitats they depend on. Founded in 1905, Audubon works through science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation efforts to address threats such as habitat loss, climate change, and environmental degradation. The organization supports a nationwide network of state programs, local chapters, and wildlife sanctuaries
Lochlin Partners conducts searches for board and executive-level positions within government and corporate affairs, government contracting, technology and services, higher education, the public sector, financial services, and healthcare. The firm is led by managing partners Liza Wright, and Pat Friel. Each of the managing partners has been in the search business for 20 or more years and has been a partner in one of the four large international firms—and in most cases has run a major office or practice at those firms.
Ms. Wright has over 25 years of experience in the executive search industry. Prior to co-founding Lochlin Partners, she served at the highest levels of government, working at the White House as the assistant to the President and director of Presidential Personnel. As the senior personnel advisor to former President George W. Bush, she met with the President regularly to recommend individuals to fill critical presidential appointments, including Cabinet Secretaries, ambassadors and other key positions in cabinet-level departments and U.S. regulatory agencies.
For more than 25 years, Mr. Friel has provided executive search and leadership advisory services to a broad range of clients. He works extensively with clients in government, financial services, technology and professional services organizations, trade and membership associations, and non-profits, helping these clients build world-class management teams. Mr. Friel provides particular expertise in recruiting senior executives in the areas of general management (CEOs and general managers), financial management (CFOs, controllers, tax and audit leadership) and business management functions including marketing, business development, legal and human resources.
Chief Development Officers
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. Here is a sampling of recent searches for chief development officers from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives.
After a national search, TM² Executive Search (TM²) has assisted in the recruitment of Jonathan Sandville as chief development officer of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). “After a comprehensive nationwide search, I’m delighted to welcome Jonathan as our chief development officer,” said Harry L. Williams, president and CEO of TMCF. “We’re excited to utilize his background in development to elevate our impact to higher levels. Jonathan is an excellent addition to our development team and I look forward to their results under his leadership.” Mr. Sandville, who most recently served as a commissioner of the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission at the State Bar of California, will lead development activities at TMCF. In his role at the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission, he helped to oversee and administer over $210 million in grants annually for nonprofit civil legal aid organizations throughout the State of California.
DRiWaterstone Human Capital is currently seeking a chief development officer for the U.S. Naval Institute. The U.S. Naval Institute seeks a development leader of presence and confidence with an authentic passion for the Naval Institute’s mission. The chief development officer will oversee a comprehensive development program, building strong relationships with individual, corporate, and foundation supporters to secure unrestricted, specific, endowment, and planned gifts that advance the organization’s mission. Candidates should have non-profit fundraising experience, with a deep understanding of strategic comprehensive development. Those applying should be a relationship builder who is comfortable working with high-level individuals and making subsequent six and seven-figure asks.
Lochlin Partners has helped to recruit Heather Lancaster as chief development officer of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation (GWOTMF), a non-profit corporation formed in 2015 to honor the service and sacrifice of all individuals who have contributed to global counterterrorism efforts since September 11th, 2001. Ms. Lancaster most recently served at the U.S. Naval Institute, joining in 2012 as director of development and advancing to executive vice president in 2018. During her tenure, she led a small team focused on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors. She also oversaw the planning and successful execution of the Institute’s first-ever comprehensive campaign.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
