The Wilderness Land Trust Taps BoardWalk Consulting to Find New Leader
July 8, 2025 – The Wilderness Land Trust has retained executive recruitment firm BoardWalk Consulting to lead in its search for a new executive director. Senior director Crystal Stephens and senior associate Terri Kohan are leading the assignment. The ideal candidate will join a mission-driven organization with deep roots and proven impact, leading strategic initiatives that balance conservation urgency with practical partnership development. The role demands someone who combines a deep passion for wilderness protection with strong non-profit leadership experience, fundraising, and financial acumen, as well as the vision to broaden the Trust’s appeal while working hands-on with a high-performing team dedicated to securing the highest level of protection available for America’s public lands.
The executive director will lead a strong organization with an engaged and skilled board and a deeply experienced and committed staff. The ideal candidate will have proven leadership experience and a passion for wilderness and conservation.
Professional experience will include a proven leadership ability, vision, and strategic acumen as well as a demonstrated track record in fundraising, including securing major and principal gifts. BoardWalk Consulting noted that candidates will have evidence of effectively conveying organizational strengths and mission in written and verbal communications. They should have financial oversight skills with a focus on sustainability and fiscal responsibility as well as experience with board management, including earning trust and leading the board strategically. Candidates must also have a track record of coalition building and existing relationships with conservation and wilderness organizations at the local, regional, and national levels. They will have 15 years or more of professional experience in a managerial or leadership role.
The Wilderness Land Trust is a nimble, mission-focused conservation organization that has built its reputation on thoughtful, incremental growth and strategic partnerships for land acquisition. This land is transferred to the federal government for permanent protection. With a collaborative, non-hierarchical culture, the Trust operates with a team of seven dedicated professionals who work primarily remotely, valuing flexibility and trust. The organization’s operating budget is $1.6 million, with a variable annual capital land acquisition budget of six and seven figures.
BoardWalk Consulting, based in Atlanta, is a national executive search firm that recruits CEOs and senior leadership for mission-driven non-profit organizations. Founded in 2002, the firm leads executive searches for clients from across the non-profit sector with global, national, regional, and local missions. Many of the firm’s team members have previously served as non-profit executives, grant makers, and board leaders. BoardWalk Consulting is also an active partner in Panorama, the global network of independent executive search firms.
BoardWalk Consulting was founded by Sam Pettway, a 30-year search veteran. Over his career in executive search, he has worked with hundreds of board members and leadership teams with entities ranging from start-ups to mature multinationals in both the corporate and non-profit sectors. Since founding BoardWalk in 2002, Mr. Pettway has served clients as varied as international relief agencies, national foundations, regional trade associations, and local agencies in dozens of markets.
Ms. Stephens joined BoardWalk in 2012 after extensive experience working with top-tier organizations in sales, marketing, and recruiting. She spent most of her corporate career with IBM in senior sales and marketing positions. As executive vice president at Monster.com, she managed a global sales team. Ms. Stephens has led mission-critical searches for clients such as Year Up, Communities in Schools, and the Anti-Defamation League.
Related: BoardWalk Consulting Seeking COO for Deep South Today
Ms. Kohan collaborates closely with internal teams and client stakeholders to execute C-suite and leadership searches for non-profit and mission-driven organizations. She is an accomplished executive search professional with over 30 years of experience in retained executive recruitment across domestic and international markets. Her expertise spans all facets of senior-level talent acquisition for both non-profit organizations and corporate entities across diverse industries.
Community Connections Search
BoardWalk Consulting recently assisted in the recruitment of Damien Cabezas as the new president and CEO of Community Connections, Inc. in Washington, D.C. Director Cynthia Moreland and senior associate Diane Westmore led the assignment. “Community Connections has long been a trailblazer in behavioral health, consistently setting the standard for innovation and excellence in the field,” said Dr. Mark Smith, chair of the CEO search committee. “We sought a leader with the vision, courage, and expertise to guide the agency to even greater achievements. We found that leader in Damien Cabezas, and we couldn’t be more excited.”
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“Damien Cabezas brings the skills, experience, and heart needed to lead Community Connections into an even brighter future,” said Maxine Harris, co-founder and current CEO. “His leadership will ensure we continue to expand our compassionate and impactful work, taking the agency to new heights with both flair and resolve.”
Mr. Cabezas brings extensive experience as a national leader in healthcare and behavioral health, having served in leadership roles in both academic and community based non-profit settings with VIP Community Services, Abilities, Inc., and The Fortune Society in New York and Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County in San Jose, CA.
Related: BoardWalk Consulting Retained by the Lumpkin Family Foundation for Executive Director
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
