Ratliff & Taylor Expands Executive Search Practice
May 6, 2024 – Cleveland, OH-based executive search firm Ratliff & Taylor has expanded its executive search practice to support regional demand and continued growth. The firm has named Linda Gray as senior vice president, non-profit executive search and Michael Johnson as senior vice president, executive search. “After opening our New York office in 2023, search engagements surged among our new and existing private equity clients,” said Beth Sweeney, president of Ratliff & Taylor. “Additionally, our reputation in supporting non-profit organizations has driven demand for our services both regionally and nationally.”
“Ratliff & Taylor’s success stems from the ability to leverage our deep industry expertise and expansive network to deliver superior recruitment solutions tailored to the unique needs of each client,” said Ms. Sweeney. “Linda and Mike have both contributed to our past success and will continue to do so in their new roles going forward.”
Over the past decade, Ms. Gray has established herself as a leading authority in the development of talent acquisition strategies and processes for non-profit organizations. She also serves as the global practice leader for non-profit search with Cornerstone International Group, which Ratliff & Taylor is a member. Ms. Gray has held top leadership roles in human resources and talent acquisition at organizations including Timken, KeyBank and Weltman, Weinberg & Reis. “Linda’s reputation and passion for non-profit search will allow us to continue our growth both regionally and nationally,” said Ms. Sweeney.
Mr. Johnson has 30+ years of experience as a human resources executive in multiple industries across the U.S. “His experience have allowed him to become a trusted advisor to the many senior business leaders he supports,” said Ratliff & Taylor. “Mike has a thorough understanding of what exceptional executive search looks like from both sides of the desk. He can quickly gauge the culture of an organization while balancing the need to find the perfect fit with the sense of urgency that clients expect.” Mr. Johnson formerly held senior HR roles with OM Group, FXI – Foamex Innovations, Tunnell Consulting, and Sanofi.
Serving Corporate Clients
Ratliff & Taylor serves corporate clients in the areas of executive search, leadership development and career transition. The firm attracts clients from around the world and provides counsel to both middle-market and Fortune 500 organizations.
Integrating Cultural Humility into the Coaching Process
Building a positive workplace culture has become one of the top priorities for organizations around the world. Since the pandemic, many employers have focused on building workplace environments in which their employees can feel safe, engaged, inspired, and productive. According to human capital experts and talent industry leaders, it is positive workplace culture that now separates the most successful companies from the average ones. It increases employee retention, builds engagement among workers, and increases productivity and the bottom line.
With all the positive outcomes that good culture brings, organizations are looking to find effective ways to not only understand their own unique cultures, but to foster a sense of inclusion and belonging to fully unlock the value of the talent within their organizations. But when it comes to discussions on building a strong culture through consulting and executive coaching, often missing from the equation is a focus on the training that coaches receive to provide a curriculum that prepares clients for success while also navigating cultural differences during coaching itself.
As president, Ms. Sweeney is credited with fully integrating P&L responsibility including strategic and growth initiatives, sales and marketing, new product development, operations and client solutions for all three lines of the firm’s business: executive search, leadership development and career transition. She has more than 20 years of experience in the talent management arena and a successful record as a senior leader, coach and consultant.
Related: How to Build Teams with Cultural Depth for Global Success
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
