Montague & Associates Opens Doors
October 24, 2019 – The executive search industry is being disrupted by the entrance of a multitude of new players offering advanced business models and new technologies. The latest: Mary Lee Montague has announced the launch of Montague & Associates, a national firm based in Chicago that specializes in C-suite searches for non-profit organizations.
“This is a pivotal time for the non-profit sector, which needs dynamic leaders just as critically as for-profit firms,” said Ms. Montague, an executive search professional for more than two decades. “We find what you are looking for and make sure it is what you really need.”
Two former colleagues join Ms. Montague at the firm. Nancy DeMoss is vice president of candidate management at Montague & Associates and Elena Froud is the firm’s non-profit support lead.
“I was thrilled to have these colleagues join me, which allowed us to immediately hit the ground running and serve our client’s c-suite search needs,” said Ms. Montague. Teresa Pool, CEO of talent-development firm Transitions for Business and Julie Silverstein, principal of Silverstein & Partners, have also aligned with Montague & Associates as strategic partners. Ms. Pool offers talent assessment expertise while Ms. Silverstein specializes in CEO onboarding.
Ms. Montague began her non-profit career at WTTW/Channel 11 in Chicago, where she was an executive in sales and marketing for 15 years. After that, she spent 20 years at DHR International, leading its non-profit search practice. Before launching Montague & Associates, she consulted for Heidrick & Struggles’ non-profit search division. During her time at both global firms, Ms. Montague closed searches for crucial executive positions at Shedd Aquarium, the Chicago Public Library Foundation, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, YMCA of the USA and other prominent organizations.
Ms. Montague said the experience was invaluable—and that it helped her see that sometimes searches for non-profits can take a back seat at the larger search firms. That is why, she said, that she launched a boutique firm dedicated to non-profit executive search. Montague & Associate’s high-touch, high-quality approach will serve non-profit organizations, foundations and associations as well as the top-flight candidates they are seeking to recruit.
While non-profit executive search is the focus of the firm, Montague & Associates offers other services, including strategic transition advice for all seasoned executives (non-profit and for-profit) looking to make a career move.
Open for Business
Over the past year, new recruiting firms have put out shingles around the world in a wide range of industries. Here’s a look at a recent sampling from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:
Veteran search consultant Christopher Sheeron launched strategic advisory firm Grayson & Co. “I am thrilled to launch Grayson & Co. to provide a specialized toolkit for an array of organizations to address political uncertainty, corporate complexity and technological innovation,” said Mr. Sheeron.
Former Korn Ferry consultant Kyle Bowlsby has established Bowlsby Sports Advisors LLC, a full-service and integrated sports consulting firm. The company works side by side with clients to pair executive search and career development services.
Morant Executive Search has been launched in Zurich by veteran search consultant Sabine Morant. The firm offers customized search solutions with a focus on identifying individuals with transformational skills. The firm combines the expertise gained from many years of experience…
Newly formed Carpe Diem Partners describes itself as “a truly disruptive firm, end to end, in an industry long overdue for disruption.” The San Francisco-based firm said it offers “faster service, balanced candidate assessments and is the only retained executive search firm nationally certified in diversity & inclusion.”
Apotheker Search & Advisory, an executive search and advisory firm specializing in the life sciences industry, recently opened for business in New York City. Suzana Farah Rahman serves as the firm’s managing director. Apotheker’s primary fields of focus include but are not limited to biotech, diagnostics, medical device, pharmaceutical and venture-capital / private equity funds.
Former DHR International recruiters Tina Winner and Steven Oberhoffer have launched Winner Partners in St. Petersburg, FL. Ms. Winner has experience in the fields of human resources, information technology, finance, accounting, engineering, operations, sales and marketing and supply chain.
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