McCormack+Kristel Seeks Executive Director for Alaska-Based Identity Inc.
May 15, 2023 – Executive search firm McCormack+Kristel has been enlisted to find an executive director for Anchorage, AK-based Identity Inc. The non-profit works to advance Alaska’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, two-spirited + communities through advocacy, education, healthcare, and connectivity. Search consultants Zaria Davis and Bryan Epps are leading the assignment.
The executive director is responsible for the overall administration and management of Identity Inc., said McCormack+Kristel. The executive director will be expected to work closely with the board of directors, staff, and community partners to advance the organization’s mission. This leader is charged with ensuring the direction, planning, fundraising, and evaluation of the clinic program and service delivery are consistent with the mission and goals of the organization. He or she will be responsible for strategic, operational, financial, and administrative oversight. The executive director must work with internal or external stakeholders to continue to create and carry out the vision for the organization’s future.
Identity’s executive director role revolves around four key areas: organizational management, fundraising, program development, and public engagement and advocacy.
“The executive director will be someone with a knowledge of healthcare from a financial and operations background,” said McCormack+Kristel. The individual should have a history within the non-profit sector with experience in programming. Active communication through coaching and engagement with staff is essential for this role. He or she should be a leader who can negotiate contracts and MOUs. In addition to being an administrator, this leader will need to understand and have a deep commitment to doing personal and professional work in decolonization, racial equity, and working with diverse populations. The position requires that the executive director build partnerships and collaborative relationships within the community.
Key Qualifications
The ideal candidate will: have the ability to lead long-range visioning and planning in partnership with the board while engaging staff, volunteers, community, and stakeholders; have an understanding of complex needs of the patients; have experience with third party insurance companies; have knowledge of billing codes and revenue cycles; and be able to help to grow fundraising programs and diversify revenue streams to broaden Identity’s base of support and strengthen its financial position.
Preferably, prospects should have experience in non-profit clinics, said the search firm. Maintaining a professional climate that supports staff in organization and achieving goals is important to this role. Experience in quality improvement processes is required, as is the ability to lead the review of policies, procedures, and/or practices that support effective strategies, as well as the recruitment, selection, employment, and management of employees.
“The successful candidate must passionately care about the LGBTQIA2S+ community with attention to wellness,” said the search firm.
Founded in 1977, Identity Inc. provides programming and wellness services. The non-profit has 11 directors on its board. Its staff of 13 is expected to grow to 24 by 2024. Its annual revenues are $1.5 million. The organization’s wellness component includes gender affirming, educational, and community resources.
Respected Search Consultants
McCormack+Kristel was started in 1993 as McCormack & Associates with the mission of recruiting senior leadership for the many research, advocacy and human services organizations growing exponentially in response to AIDS pandemic. Diversity recruiting has long been on the firm’s agenda.
Related: McCormack+Kristel Tapped to Find Chief People Officer for Los Angeles LGBT Center
With the advent of effective treatments for HIV/AIDS, and the diminishing needs of many of these organizations, the firm broadened its client base into areas like social justice; healthcare; women’s issues; higher education; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender; civil rights; and more.
McCormack+Kristel Seeking CEO for Bronx Parent Housing Network
McCormack+Kristel has been enlisted to find the next chief executive officer for the Bronx Parent Housing Network (BPHN), one of the largest shelter provider in New York City. Last February, Victor Rivera was fired from the role after accusations of sexual misconduct. The assignment is being led by Michelle Kristel, managing partner, and Zaria Davis, consultant. Reporting to a growing board of directors, the new CEO will be directly responsible for engaging community and institutional stakeholders and for securing funds to expand programs and ensure the organization’s fiscal health, said McCormack+Kristel. In partnership with the board and executive leadership team, the individual will be charged with finalizing and realizing a new strategic plan.
Four years ago, founding partner Joseph A. McCormack formed a new business partnership with Ms. Kristel, who joined the firm in 2013 as an associate. The firm has offices in New York City and Palm Springs, CA. McCormack+Kristel clients have included the ACLU, the Los Angeles LGBT Center, TransForm, Planned Parenthood, SAGE, and the Tides Foundation, among others.
Last year, Mr. McCormack retired. Ms. Kristel continues to run the firm’s national practice. Ms. Kristel is the former executive director of In The Life Media (ITLM), a non-profit organization producing social change media to raise awareness of issues related to gender, HIV/AIDS, and LGBT rights.
Dr. Davis has been with McCormack+Kristel for more than a year. She also serves as director of advocacy for the Chicago Community Bond Fund and as leadership and search consultant for New Direction Coaching & Consulting. Her background includes work as senior associate for the Pretrial Justice Institute and as executive director of Lincoln Heights Outreach Inc.
Mr. Epps has worked with McCormack+Kristel since 2021. Most recently he served as director of policy and partnerships for the Black Innovation Alliance. Before that, he held roles with 1804 Consultants, Leadership for Educational Equity, and Equal Justice USA, among others.
Related: McCormack+Kristel Recruits Executive Director for Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
