Our Approach

Executive search is complex and requires a unique combination of expertise and competencies. By utilizing an executive search firm to source and recruit your talent you take the burden off your staff and resources and put that in the hands of experts – experts who have a rich network of executives already in their database. As well, most executives are too busy to be perusing websites looking for new opportunities. Oftentimes they aren’t even looking! That’s where an executive search firm comes in. We reach out one on one to the executives in our networks to let them know of the position profile and walk them through why this might be a great opportunity for them.

Attracting, recruiting and hiring a top-level executive can be “just one more thing we have to do” for an organization. The recruitment of and outreach to top candidates is a strategic and deliberate journey.

Executive search firms tend to be more effective in recognizing top performers since they have the chance to interact with, and evaluate, them more frequently than their clients. They interview and assess top performers for a living.

By the time a slate of candidates gets presented to you, we will have diligently reviewed their materials, met with them three times, interviewed them, checked their credentials and had them complete a candidate insights document. We will know everything from why they left their last position to why they are interested in your organization to what their guiding beliefs are. In essence, we will have done the legwork to get to know them fully and genuinely before you even meet them. Our approach is inclusive, thorough, engaging and relational. 

Our 98 percent success placement and retention rate speaks for itself, and we stand behind that with a guarantee of our work. 

Traditional search models often assume a deep candidate pool and a transactional process. In rural communities, however, searches require a place-based, relationship-first approach. Success isn’t just about matching resumes to job descriptions; it’s about finding leaders who align with the culture, values, and rhythms of a place. Rural searches require storytelling about the community, highlighting lifestyle and quality of life, and building bridges to candidates who may not have considered rural leadership roles.

In addition to thoroughly understanding your organization’s culture today Pierson Henry brings an intentional approach to understanding more about the vision you aspire toward and the challenges and opportunities you will face in the future. When you hire Pierson Henry to handle your search, you can expect to end up with a right-fit candidate whose mindset matches the culture you aspire toward. Instead of only asking, “What kind of a culture do we have?” when considering your next leadership hire, we help you consider: “What is the growing edge for us as a culture? Can this candidate help us get closer? What changes do we need to make to reach our goals and help this person thrive in their new role?” We partner with you on the front end so we know exactly what kind of skill set, values and leadership style will help your organization soar.

A retained search firm works on the search on an exclusive basis. As a retained search firm, we will forge a close partnership with you, the client, as trusted advisors and leadership consultants. We offer rich industry expertise and thus attract top-tier talent.

As a boutique search firm, we offer concierge client service. Our smaller size enables us to innovate and tailor services to your needs. Further, our expertise with staying on the cutting edge of technology allows us to more aptly and thoroughly screen candidates at a lower cost than some of the larger firms. Our partners are experts at relationships and have nurtured these industry, nonprofit and foundation relationships for decades while fostering trust and loyalty. Our network of connections is our relationship capital, they’re strategic assets that can have a profound influence on the outcome of a search.

At Pierson Henry our fees begin at $38,000 for director-level searches and start at $50,000 for executive searches with a one-year guarantee. Additional support such as board visioning, coaching, extra time on-site, or additional organizational development work will be scoped and proposed as needed after an initial consult with you.

We also understand that right now our nonprofit and foundation leaders are facing uncertain and unprecedented times, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to see how we can tailor our services to fit your needs.

You set the level of involvement, but we recommend meaningful engagement at the beginning (to align on the leadership profile) and at the end (to make a thoughtful, unified decision). We manage the heavy lifting so the board can stay strategic.

What is the difference between retained search and contingency search?

In retained search (our model), the firm is hired exclusively and works as a true partner throughout the process — invested in fit, cultural alignment, and long-term success. In contingency search, multiple firms may be competing to fill the role quickly, which often emphasizes speed over fit. Retained search is best for senior and executive roles where leadership continuity is critical.

In a word: pace. We deeply value the reflective, authentic and uplifting nature of intentional rural living and we unapologetically celebrate the leaders who call rural regions home. We believe those who are priveliged to live at a slower pace are often afforded more space which can cultivate the deep healing, creativity and soulful connections we need to solve our world’s most troubling problems.

If you are a candidate, working with Pierson Henry means you’re more likely to find jobs that you otherwise wouldn’t have known existed. If you’d like to be confidentially added to our talent database, please reach out to Holly Kelsey-Henry at holly@piersonhenry.com.

Most searches take between 3–4 months from launch to signed offer, depending on the complexity of the role and the candidate market. At Pierson Henry, we build in clear milestones and communication touchpoints so there are no surprises along the way.

It takes more than a job posting. Successful recruitment means aligning the board and hiring committee around a shared vision. Crafting a narrative that highlights the strengths of the community—natural beauty, affordability, quality of life, close-knit networks, and the opportunity to make a difference. It’s about painting a picture of belonging, impact, and balance. We call this “transition over transaction”—supporting organizations and candidates through the entire journey, not just the placement.

Yes. We believe placement is just the beginning. We support the transition with check-ins, coaching, and tools to help the new leader succeed. We also offer board and team alignment sessions so your organization is ready to welcome and empower its new executive.