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News From The Field.
Leadership decisions carry lasting implications for institutions, teams, and communities. Here, we share updates from across our work, including new search engagements, completed placements, firm news, and perspectives on leadership in the nonprofit sector. Our work is grounded in the belief that executive search should be both rigorous and deeply human.
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The State of Nonprofit Staff Retention Has Been Poor for Years
According to a 2020 Forbes survey, 45% of nonprofit employees stated they would seek new jobs by 2025, and 23% of that group said that nonprofits would not be among the types of organizations they intend to pursue. Of the 45% who said they’d seek other employment, 49% said nonprofit organizations do not pay enough, 19% said nonprofits don’t offer good long-term career opportunities, and 12% stated that nonprofits are not well-run businesses. The fact is that 86% of nonpro

John Toolan
Jul 23, 20254 min read


Cooper Coleman Places Director of Development for Paws Chicago
CHICAGO, IL – Cooper Coleman LLC, a nationally recognized executive search firm serving nonprofit and social impact organizations, is...

Cooper Coleman
Jul 23, 20253 min read


Unintended Consequences: Critical Mistakes Boards, CEOs, and Organizations Make During Executive Searches
The Hidden Pitfalls of Executive Recruitment J. Michael Durnil, PhD Director, Executive Search Cooper Coleman Executive recruitment is one of the most mission-critical tasks that any CEO or organization faces. The stakes are high—a misstep can lead to reputational damage, significant financial losses, strategic misalignment, and organizational discord. Despite the high stakes, many CEOs and organizations choose to undertake this crucial task without availing themselves of p

J. Michael Durnil, Ph.D.
Apr 3, 20255 min read


Cooper Coleman Completes Chief Executive Officer Search for Family Equality
CHICAGO, IL – Cooper Coleman LLC, a nationally recognized executive search firm specializing in nonprofit and social impact...

Cooper Coleman
Mar 5, 20253 min read


Now What?: Practical Advice for Advancement Professionals in a Rapidly Changing Landscape
The political and economic landscape continues to shift dramatically, leaving many social sector organizations and advancement...

J. Michael Durnil, Ph.D.
Mar 3, 20257 min read


Cooper Coleman Places Chief Operating Officer at East Coast Zoological Foundation
CHICAGO, IL – Cooper Coleman LLC, a nationally recognized executive search firm specializing in nonprofit and social impact...

Cooper Coleman
Mar 3, 20253 min read


Opportunity Costs: Using Bespoke Sector-Specific Search Firms or Generalist Firms for Non-Profit Organizations
J. Michael Durnil, PhD Director, Executive Search Cooper Coleman, LLC Non-profit organizations operate in a unique environment that...

J. Michael Durnil, Ph.D.
Feb 27, 20254 min read


Cooper Coleman Places Chief Philanthropy Officer at East Coast Zoological Foundation
February 27, 2025 9:00 AM Central Standard Time CHICAGO, IL – Cooper Coleman LLC, a nationally recognized executive search firm...

Cooper Coleman
Feb 27, 20253 min read



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