Retained Executive Search.
Executive search is one of the most important decisions your organization will make.
We partner closely with boards and leadership teams throughout the entire search process. We don't operate at arm's length. We work alongside you, immersed in your mission, culture, leadership needs, and aspirations for the future.
We ask difficult questions. We challenge assumptions. We lean into discomfort early and often so you are eyes-wide-open about the possibilities, risks, and realities that surround a search. We help create alignment among stakeholders and remain actively involved from discovery through placement.
We also recognize that every interaction shapes how candidates experience your organization. As an extension of your team, we represent your organization with sound judgment and the same level of ownership we would bring if the search were our own.
We approach executive search as stewardship. Leadership decisions matter. Institutions matter. People matter. Our responsibility is to represent all three well.
Learn more about our team, our approach, and what distinguishes Cooper Coleman from traditional search firms -->
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Featured Placements.
Executive Placements.
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Professional Placements.
The Right Leaders in the Right Roles Are Essential for Success.
The most successful organizations do not settle on their leaders, they strategically and meaningfully choose each one.
Recruiting the best candidates can be protracted and time-consuming. For that reason, we do the heavy lifting to find your ideal candidate, so you can focus on other priorities. We help organizations assess their unique needs to build a comprehensive profile of the professionals they require. We leverage our extensive network of passive and active candidates throughout the sector to place the right leaders in the roles most essential to your success.
American Museum of Natural History
Major Gifts Officer (2)
Gift Officer
Fund for a Safer Future
President & CEO
East Coast Zoological Foundation
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Chief Financial Officer
University of California, San Francisco
Director of Development, Neurosciences
Interact for Health
President & Chief Executive Officer
Center for Child Protection
Chief Development Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Kalamazoo Nature Center
President & CEO
Family Equality
Chief Executive Officer
Rainforest Flow
Vice President & Chief Development Officer
AIDS United
Vice President & COO
The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio
Canon for Finance & Operations (COO/CFO)
Johnson Family Foundation
Program Officer, Justice Portfolio
United Way of Fresno and Madera Counties
President & Chief Executive Officer
VP of Impact
Director of Access & Opportunity
Director of Community Support
Lambda Legal
Chief Operating Officer
Chief of People & Culture
Chief of Planning & Program Management
Chief Technology Officer
Deputy Director of Human Resources
Director of National Sponsorships
Major Gifts Officer (3)
Legacy Giving Officer
Digital Director
Executive Assistant to the CEO and CDO
PAWS Chicago
Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement
Philanthropy & Community Engagement Officer
Philanthropy Officer, Annual Fund
The Montrose Center
Chief Executive Officer
ReVive Center for Housing + Healing
Executive Director
The Health Alliance for Violence Intervention
Managing Director, Capacity Building
Senior Director, Research & Evaluation
Hearing Health Foundation
Director of Major Gifts
CAMP Rehoboth
Executive Director (2)
ACLU of Maine
Development Director
Roundabout Theatre Company
Corporate Relations Manager
Foundation & Government Manager
Proteus Fund
Strategic Partnerships Director
Manager of Executive Office and Board Liaison
Reaching Out MBA
Development Director
Ingenuity, Inc.
Chief of Staff
Director of Development
Director of Partnerships & Learning
NMAC
Development Director
Communications Manager
Development Manager
Development Associate
Policy Analyst
Techbridge Girls
Director of Development
Equality Illinois
Director of Development
All Stars Project of Dallas
Senior Director of Development
The NYC LGBT Center
Director of Foundation Relations
Director of Marketing
Writers Theatre
Director of Advancement
People Working Cooperatively
Director of Major Gifts
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Fiscal Officer & Business Manager
Cal State University, Dominguez Hills
Fiscal Officer & Business Manager
ASSIST Scholars
Director of Development
Smile Train
Sr. Director of Institutional Partnerships
Positions We've Filled.
Case Studies.
Cooper Coleman has helped nonprofit organizations recruit leaders for roles central to their mission, strategy, and long-term effectiveness. Our work reflects a disciplined, relationship-driven approach to identifying leaders who can meet the moment and strengthen the organizations they serve.
Below are excerpts from select case studies.
President + CEO
Interact For Health | Cincinnati, OH
Interact for Health is a $250 million health conversion foundation dedicated to improving health outcomes across the Greater Cincinnati region.
Cooper Coleman partnered with the Board to facilitate critical alignment following the retirement of a long-tenured President + CEO before launching a national search. The engagement resulted in the recruitment of an exceptional leader who became the first woman to serve as President + CEO in the foundation’s history.
Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Philanthropy Officer
East Coast Zoological Foundation:
Brevard Zoo + The Bowen Aquarium |
Brevard County, FL
ECZF is a $30 million zoological and conservation organization in Florida.
Cooper Coleman initially partnered with the Board to advise on a $200 million capital campaign supporting the development of a new aquarium at Port Canaveral. Building on that work, the organization engaged Cooper Coleman to recruit a CPO and its first-ever COO, followed by a CFO, completing a strengthened executive leadership team positioned to lead a period of significant growth.
Chief Development Officer, Chief Financial Officer
Center for Child Protection | Austin, TX
The Center for Child Protection is a $10 million child advocacy center serving Travis County, providing coordinated services for children and families affected by abuse.
Cooper Coleman was engaged to lead organization’s first executive search to replace a 20+ year CDO. By aligning the board and partnering with leadership the placement was transformational and work was extended to include a CFO search further strengthening the leadership bench ahead of its 30-year CEO’s retirement.
Major Gifts Officers
American Museum of Natural History | New York, NY
The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s leading scientific and cultural institutions, advancing research, education, and public engagement for more than 150 years.
Following the museum’s historic closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cooper Coleman was engaged to help rebuild the individual fundraising function. The search focused on recruiting experienced Major Gifts Officers capable of re-engaging donors and supporting the museum’s long-term recovery. Cooper Coleman successfully placed three gift officers to strengthen and stabilize the development team.
President + CEO
Fund For a Safer Future | National
The Fund for a Safer Future is a national funding collaborative focused on advancing evidence-based strategies to reduce gun violence and strengthen community safety.
Cooper Coleman partnered with the Board to conduct a national search for the organization’s first President + CEO. The engagement required a deep dive into the gun violence prevention ecosystem, clarifying leadership priorities, and aligning stakeholders, to identify a leader capable of shaping the organization’s strategy and public presence during a formative stage. The search resulted in the successful appointment of the Fund’s inaugural
chief executive.
What distinguished Johnny’s approach was the time and care he took to understand our organization—our mission, our work on stage, and our place within the theatre community. This insight ensured that candidates were not only highly qualified, but also aligned with the passion, creativity, and drive that are essential to success at Writers Theatre.
As a result, we successfully hired an outstanding Director of Advancement who is already making a meaningful impact on our organization.
KATE LIPUMA
Executive Director, Writers Theatre
The Cooper Coleman team was an ideal partner in our recent search for our next Development Director. They served as strong strategic partners throughout the entire process providing meaningful insight into everything from role design, the structure of the interview process, and how to secure our final candidate. They combined best practice in the field of Search with the curiosity and cultural competency needed to support our unique organization.
I will absolutely partner with the Cooper Coleman team again on future searches.
BRIAN C. JOHNSON
Former Executive Director, Equality Illinois
Cooper Coleman’s strength is taking a tailored approach that goes deep into understanding the role, the needs, the broader context, and even the differing perspectives on the Board as to what is needed for a role.
They go beyond just delivering what’s “on paper” in the job description, seek to truly understand the needs and perspectives, and also facilitate alignment on the Board so an incoming candidate is set up for success.
KATE SCHRODER (placed candidate)
President + CEO
Interact For Health
I've dealt with a lot of recruiting firms and headhunters in my time, and you're the most thoughtful and organized firm I've encountered. It says a lot about you and your team, and I appreciate what you are doing here.
Whether or not this works out, I have introductions I'd like to make to organizations with roles to fill.
R.C.
COO Candidate 2022
I know I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating—I’ve worked with and interacted with a number of recruiting firms over the years, and I’ve never had such a positive experience as I did with you and your team.
K.W.
CFO Candidate 2025
Before the Board makes its decision, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for the exceptional care and clarity you brought to this process. I don’t want my gratitude to be tied to the outcome. I want you to know what your support has meant to me, regardless of what happens next.
I’ve worked with many recruiters in my time as an HR executive and now as a CEO candidate. You are in a class of your own.
KISHALYNN ELLIOTT (placed candidate)
PMP, SHRM-CP, CTACC
CEO Candidate, 2025
The Fund for a Safer Future engaged Cooper Coleman to conduct a search for our first President and CEO. Johnny and his team partnered closely with the search committee to customize the search, rigorously vet candidates, and guide the process through onboarding, all on an ambitious timeline.
Their expertise, warmth, and good humor made the search productive and enjoyable. We recommend them without hesitation.
TIM DALY
Chair, Fund for a Safer Future
Senior Advisor, The Joyce Foundation
I CANNOT say enough good things about Johnny. He’s done a number of searches for us, finding excellent, diverse candidates. He’s incredibly diligent, highly professional, and also just fun to work with. He is, frankly, the best search consultant I’ve ever worked with.
KEVIN JENNINGS
CEO
Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund
I’ve worked with search firms in the past but have NEVER had an experience that is this impressive, comprehensive, and thoughtful. You’ve really created something special in Cooper Coleman.
JAY BUDNER
Chief Talent Officer
University of California, San Francisco
Our Clients.
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