Nova Ukraine Retains Diversified Search Group (DSG Global) | Koya Partners for CEO Search
April 2, 2025 – Diversified Search Group (DSG Global) | Koya Partners has been called in by Nova Ukraine to lead in its search for a new CEO. The assignment is being led by Ian McCray, Gerard F. Cattie Jr., Beth Reeves, and Manuel A. Gongon Jr. The incoming CEO will partner with the board of directors in strategic visioning and decision making for Nova Ukraine. They will work with the board and staff to advance the goals and objectives of Nova Ukraine, bringing fresh ideas and innovation to drive the next chapter of impact for the organization.
According to the job specification, the CEO will cultivate and maintain effective relationships with the board, partnering with the board chair to facilitate the overall board’s strategic leadership and work as a governing body as well as the group’s ongoing cohesiveness and engagement. They will serve as Nova Ukraine’s principal ambassador and spokesperson, advancing awareness and support of the organization’s work and role as a thought leader and convener.
The CEO will have an authentic connection to and passion for the mission and vision of Nova Ukraine, according to DSG. They will also have a credible connection to and appreciation of Ukrainian society and culture, as well as a general understanding of the Russo-Ukrainian War and current events impacting Ukraine. Working in close collaboration with the board and staff, the CEO will be motivated to achieve the greatest possible impact for the people of Ukraine through use of the organization’s resources.
The CEO will be an inspirational and innovative leader who, in partnership with the board and staff, sets and clearly articulates a vision for the organization and how it can effectively deploy its staff and resources to positively impact Ukraine. The CEO will bring experience leading organizations through times of growth and transition. The CEO will be skilled at building partnerships with other leaders and using Nova Ukraine’s influence to advance its mission and strategic priorities. The CEO will be entrepreneurial, forward-thinking, and driven to uncover new approaches and ideas to enhance impact.
Based in Palo Alto, California, Nova Ukraine is a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine and raising awareness about Ukraine in the United States as well as in the rest of the world. Since 2014, Nova Ukraine has sent more than $120 million worth of aid to Ukraine through a combination of projects and in-kind donations.
Diversified Search Group (DSG Global) is a family of recruiting firms serving specialized sectors. The firm was founded almost five decades ago by Judith M. von Seldeneck for the express purpose of placing diverse candidates in client organizations. It is today the largest U.S. female-owned and founded firm in the executive recruitment industry. It is comprised of a combination of specialty practices with deep industry expertise under industry recognized brands, including Alta Associates, BioQuest, Koya Partners, Grant Cooper, and Storbeck Search.
In 2019, Koya was acquired by Diversified Search. With the combination of revenues and resources, Diversified Search and Koya now represent one of the largest non-profit and higher education practices in the executive search industry. Koya’s specialization in mission-driven search, primarily with non-profit and higher education clients, complements Diversified’s own major education, non-profit, and arts and culture practices, as well as the firm’s healthcare services, board of directors, life sciences, industrial, and digital, media, entertainment, and sports practices.
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Mr. McCray is a managing director in DSG’s fundraising and advancement practice. Prior to his return to DSG, he spent over a decade doing development work in non-profits and higher education institutions. Mr. McCray gained previous experience in executive search at Korn Ferry in its healthcare practice and from 2006 to 2009 as a leader in Diversified Search’s higher education and non-profit practice.
Mr. Cattie is managing director and practice leader, DSG fundraising and advancement, based in New York. His practice focuses on searches for senior leadership positions within prominent higher education institutions, non-profit organizations, global NGOs, foundations, associations and membership societies, healthcare providers, as well as arts and cultural entities. He serves as the leader of the firm’s development and philanthropy practice, along with the arts and culture sector of the firm’s education, nonprofit, and arts and culture practice.
Ms. Reeves is a VP and senior search associate with DSG, and a member of the education, non-profit, and arts and culture practice. With over 20 years of experience in retained executive search, she has conducted searches for senior leadership positions within prominent higher education institutions, associations, foundations, arts and culture organizations/institutions, and professional and social service organizations. She is also a senior member of the firm’s development and philanthropy practice, and has placed numerous fundraising leadership professionals across the sector. Clients she has represented include The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, American Museum of Natural History, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Georgetown University, Harvard University, Museum of Arts and Design, The National Park Foundation, New York Philharmonic, NPR, The Old Globe Theatre, The Pennsylvania State University, Public Radio International, The Public Theater, Smithsonian Institution, The University of Chicago, The University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.
Mr. Gongon is a VP and senior search associate and a member of its DSG fundraising and advancement practice. His work has included searches for senior leadership positions within prominent higher education institutions, healthcare providers, non-profit organizations, global NGOs, arts and cultural entities, foundations, and associations and membership societies. He has conducted searches for a wide range of functional leadership roles, such as president, CEO.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
