WittKieffer Recruits CEO for March of Dimes

July 25, 2023 – Oak Brook-IL-based WittKieffer has recruited Elizabeth Cherot as the new president and chief executive officer of non-profit March of Dimes, which supports the health of mothers and babies. The search was led by consultants Jim King, Donna Padilla, Christine Pendleton, and John Fazekas. As March of Dimes’ first physician leader, Dr. Cherot is responsible for the development and implementation of a strategic vision to address the country’s maternal and infant health crisis, while increasing awareness and engagement in its work among key stakeholders.
“Today, too many babies are born too sick and too soon and too many moms are facing health risks and death that we know are largely preventable,” said Sharon Mills Higgins, national board of trustees chair. “Dr. Cherot’s clinical background, coupled with her track record in driving innovation and her commitment to nurturing a diverse leadership staff and inclusive organizational culture, makes her the clear choice to lead our organization forward. As a practicing OBGYN, she’s keenly aware of the issues people are facing before, during, and after pregnancy, and is focused on ensuring we’re conducting cutting-edge research and providing the best programs, education and resources to support the needs of families across the nation.”
Dr. Cherot previously led the non-profit’s Office of Maternal and Child Health Impact, providing strategic guidance and clinical expertise across the organization to improve health outcomes for moms and babies through programs, education and advocacy. As president and CEO, Dr. Cherot will also foster an organizational culture of collaboration, innovation and strategic growth with a commitment to best practices in diversity, equity and inclusion.
Dr. Cherot is a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and brings more than two decades of experience managing numerous maternal and infant health initiatives. Prior to March of Dimes, she served as the chief medical officer for Axia Women’s Health, one of the largest fully integrated Women’s Health Care Groups in the U.S. where she oversaw over 2,500 colleagues, 500 providers, and 200 patient care center locations across five states. Dr. Cherot holds a medical degree from The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry along with an executive master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor of arts degree from Johns Hopkins University.
“As a physician and mother of two children, it’s simply unacceptable that our country is among the most dangerous places to give birth among high income countries today,” said Dr. Cherot. “Families are facing poor health outcomes and grave disparities, which makes our work at March of Dimes more important than ever before. I’m committed to changing the course of this crisis and look forward to working with our partners and supporters to ensure every mom and baby has the best possible start.”
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Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes’ goals are “to end the preventable maternal health risks and deaths, end preventable preterm birth and infant death, and close the health equity gap.” The non-profit has a staff of 400, over $100 million in annual revenue, with a goal to grow to over $175 million over the next five years.
Veteran Recruiters
WittKieffer assists hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, medical schools, and physician groups; biotech, pharmaceutical, diagnostics and medical device companies; colleges and universities, and not-for-profit community service and cultural organizations with senior administrative recruiting assignments. With more than 100 search professionals nationwide, its consultants recruit CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CNOs, physician executives, and other leaders.
WittKieffer Places Chief Diversity Officer at Gettysburg College
After a national search, Oak Brook, IL-based search firm WittKieffer has placed Eloísa Gordon-Mora as the new chief diversity officer of Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. Christine Pendleton, senior associate, and Randi Miller, associate, led the assignment. Dr. Gordon-Mora serves as a member of Gettysburg’s president’s council and is charged with advancing the school’s diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities into the future. “I am delighted by Dr. Eloísa Gordon-Mora’s decision to join the Gettysburg community,” said Gettysburg college president Bob Iuliano.
Mr. King is WittKieffer’s chief quality officer as well as the leader of the board services and children’s hospitals practices. His recruits include CEOs, COOs and board members as well as physician executive credentials assignments for chief medical officers, chief clinical officers, chief population health officers, chairs and service line chiefs. He specializes in advising and identifying senior executive and board leaders for integrated health systems, academic medical centers, children’s hospitals, faith-based hospitals, behavioral health/addiction treatment organizations and health insurance companies. Mr. King, who is based in Minneapolis, MN, has also conducted searches on behalf of not-for-profit organizations and colleges and universities nationwide.
Ms. Padilla is managing partner and leader of WittKieffer’s healthcare practice. Since joining the firm in 1999, Ms. Padilla has participated in over 500 search assignments for healthcare executives. As healthcare practice leader, she supports her clients’ high-profile engagements for visionary CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CNOs and other senior leaders. Routinely working closely with governing body members and senior leadership teams, Ms. Padilla has served faith-based providers, complex health systems, academic medical centers, medical groups, related professional associations, and other not-for-profit organizations.
Ms. Pendleton, a consultant in WittKieffer’s Oak Brook office, joined the firm in 2014. She works to identify presidents, chancellors, provosts, vice presidents, deans, and chief diversity officers on behalf of public and private universities and colleges and other senior leaders in non-profit organizations. She is co-chair of the firm’s diversity council and director of its community fund. She has twice been the recipient of a WittKieffer Quality Award.
Mr. Fazekas, senior associate, is based in Boston. With over 25 years of executive search experience, he serves the firm’s not-for-profit and healthcare practices to identify outstanding leaders according to client-specific strategic imperatives and unique cultures. Mr. Fazekas has led and supported the full range of C-suite leadership engagements for C-suite and other key senior roles. His clients include foundations and trusts, major civic and cultural organizations, hospitals, health systems, community health centers, disease-based associations and research institutes, and many other mission-driven organizations.
Related: WittKieffer Places VP for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Providence College
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media