March 2, 2022 – After a rigorous national search, Diversified Search Group | Koya Partners participated in the recruitment of Kendra E. Davenport as President and CEO of Easterseals. Alison Ranneymanaging partner and co-lead of the CEO practice, led the engagement with Corina Benitzvice president and senior partner; Tiara D. Muse, Vice President and Senior Research Associate; and Alison Salisburysenior research associate.
“Kendra’s strong record of achievement as a leader and senior executive makes her the right person to lead Easterseals as we enter our second century of service to meet the needs of children and adults with disabilities across America. “said Alicia Georges, President, Easterseals. national board of directors. “His ability to lead complex organizations will stand us in good stead as we advance a strategic vision for our future in priority areas including advocacy, network advancement, brand management and partner resource development. with our 70 affiliates who collectively serve 1.5 million people a year. ”
Ms. Davenport brings over three decades of experience working exclusively in the field of nonprofit organizations. She has managed several national development and communications portfolios, served as president of a non-profit organization serving veteran families, and has served as a philanthropy and communications consultant for several national and international non-profit organizations. . Most recently, Ms. Davenport managed multi-channel global philanthropic efforts as Director of Development for Operation Smile, an international medical non-profit organization that provides free cleft lip and palate surgery. His role included corporate, mass market, direct response and digital fundraising, major gifts and planned giving, community engagement, special events and partnerships, private sector grants and government relations. .
Working closely with C-suite industry leaders, Ms. Davenport has designed and implemented a myriad of mutually beneficial initiatives including point-of-sale programs, co-branded marketing and advertising campaigns. and a multitude of special events. As philanthropy has evolved, it has helped many nongovernmental organizations diversify their philanthropic portfolios to keep pace with change and growth using technology.
Ms. Davenport has extensive management experience, having overseen more than 1,000 international employees in eighteen sub-Saharan countries while working for Africare, one of the largest nonprofit organizations founded and run by African Americans in the United States. ‘era. Much of Ms. Davenport’s career has been dedicated to facilitating the delivery of critical services and interventions to organizations such as the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Alliance, Goodwill Industries and The Arc Montgomery County.
“In many ways, I believe I spent my entire career preparing for this role,” Ms. Davenport said. “I look forward to working collaboratively with Easterseals affiliates nationwide to achieve 100% equity, inclusion and access for people with disabilities in their communities. I also look forward to championing Easterseals’ commitment to providing training, job placement, and ultimately employment to people with disabilities, as well as mature workers and veterans transitioning from the military into the industry. private. It is a great privilege and honor for me to lead Easterseals at the national level, and I look forward to building on his impressive legacy.
Through its nationwide network of 67 affiliates in 47 states, Easterseals provides essential services and on-the-ground support to more than 1.5 million people each year, from early childhood programs for the critical first five years, to services autism, medical rehabilitation and employment programs, veterans services and more. The organization is headquartered in Chicago.
Combined resources
Diversified Search Group is a family of firms serving specialized industries. The firm was founded nearly five decades ago for the express purpose of placing diverse candidates in client organizations. Koya Partners is part of the Diversified Search group and is dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Koya works extensively at the highest levels of the mission-driven field in philanthropy, social services, arts and culture, and social justice, among others.
Last year, Koya was acquired by Diversified Search. With the combination of revenue and resources, Diversified Search and Koya now represent one of the largest nonprofit and higher education practices in the executive search industry.
Ms. Ranney specializes in finding CEOs, Presidents, Executive Directors and other senior executives for mission-driven clients across the country and around the world. She co-leads the CEO practice of Diversified Search Group with CEO Dale Jones. In addition to the Detroit Zoo CEO search, she has led research assignments for the Museum of Science & Industry, the Art Institute of Chicago, the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Fidelity Foundations, Easterseals National and many others.
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Ms. Benitz joined Diversified as a Research Associate in 2018. Prior to entering the executive search field, she worked as a Development Associate for the National Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees at the John F.Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Ms. Muse brings to her clients extensive research experience in the private, not-for-profit and public sectors. She leverages her expertise in C-suite leadership to partner with clients and mentor candidates as a member of the company’s CEO practice. She also advises clients seeking to improve diversity, equity and inclusion.
Ms. Salisbury works closely with search teams to recruit senior executives from mission-driven clients. She supports all aspects of the search process with a focus on project management, candidate development and client engagement. A passion and commitment to social impact is integral to his work.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor; Dale M. Zupsansky, editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
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