Pasadena, CA – AbilityFirst, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people with disabilities to achieve their personal best, recently welcomed Courtney Jurado as their new Chief Development Officer.
Ms. Jurado has over 15 years’ experience leading programs, charitable giving campaigns and managing events. An accomplished scholar, among other degrees, she has a post-graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. She most recently served as the Executive Director of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, helping lead the fight against Breast Cancer while building a strong culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.
“I’m a born networker who lives to connect the dots between what makes others light up and how that motivates their giving,” said Ms. Jurado. “I have spent my professional career leading program operations and supporting charitable giving campaigns, and I feel both well-prepared for and excited about my new position and journey with AbilityFirst.”
“Courtney's commitment and passion for growing charitable giving to important causes, like ours, is just one reason we are thrilled to have her join the executive team at AbilityFirst," said Lori Gangemi, CEO of AbilityFirst. "We are confident that the depth and breadth of her skills will help us further meet the growing needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families."
Originally conceived in 1926 by visionaries looking beyond disabilities and seeing children and capabilities, AbilityFirst has long been comprised of pioneers and advocates for disability rights. Today, AbilityFirst is distinguished by: “evidence-based services, exceptional leadership and management, long standing experience and community roots, and outcomes-based program evaluation with measurable results.”
The appointment of Courtney Jurado comes after an extensive search and recruitment process led by the AbilityFirst search committee, in conjunction with Envision Consulting--a nonprofit consulting firm based in Los Angeles, specializing in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration and executive leadership transitions. Envision’s commitment to DEI is integrated into its practices, including inclusive surveys and stakeholder interviews, focus groups, structured hiring processes, a focus on anti-biased decision making and more. In 2023, Envision was named by the Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy as a Top 10 Search Firm that Works for Women of Color. In 2022, Envision was named a Top 60 Executive search Firms Serving the Nonprofit Sector by Hunt Scanlon.
Augusta, KS – Mid-Kansas Community Action Program, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting poverty and homelessness, recently announced that Bambi Parker will be their new Executive Director, effective April 24th, 2023.
A Business Administration graduate of Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Ms. Parker has been working in the nonprofit sector for more than 10 years. A passionate advocate for those experiencing poverty and homelessness, she most recently served for 8 years as Executive Director of Stepping Stone Shelter in Southwest Kansas. While there she designed and implemented the Pathway to Success program that better served residents experiencing homelessness in her community, decreasing homeless rates by 25% under her leadership.
“Bambi truly believes that the poverty/homeless community is deeply misunderstood by society and works diligently to bring knowledge and understanding to communities in the hopes that each community will become stronger together in fighting against poverty and homelessness,” said outgoing Mid-Kansas CAP Executive Director, Joyce Stockham. “Bambi has served on many Boards and volunteered within her community, and I know she is excited to serve the South-Central Kansas area in the same way. And certainly, we are excited to have her join our exceptional team.”
For over 50 years, The Mid-Kansas Community Action Program, Inc. has helped people move out of poverty by creating and managing programs and services focused on expanding community housing options, education, family development, and economic support. Their mission is: “To provide an outstanding and efficient work environment with professional, well trained and empowered employees; to diversify and expand programs; and to utilize education, passion, integrity, commitment to excellence, and innovative approaches in being responsive to community needs and in delivery of services.”
The appointment of Bambi Parker comes after an extensive search and recruitment process led by the Mid-KS CAP search committee, in conjunction with Envision Consulting--a nonprofit consulting firm based in Los Angeles, specializing in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration and executive leadership transitions. Envision’s commitment to DEI is integrated into its practices, including inclusive surveys and stakeholder interviews, focus groups, structured hiring processes, a focus on anti-biased decision making and more. In 2023, Envision was named by the Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy as a Top 10 Search Firm that Works for Women of Color. In 2022, Envision was named a Top 60 Executive search Firms Serving the Nonprofit Sector by Hunt Scanlon. www.envisionnonprofit.com
See more of Envision Consulting's nonprofit executive search successful placements.
Los Angeles, CA – Pathways LA, a nonprofit that supports the healthy development and school readiness of young children from disadvantaged communities, recently announced that Raymond Scott has been selected as their new Finance Director, effective January 23rd, 2023.
Mr. Scott is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) with over 17 years of experience working in finance as an analyst, director of business operations, and consultant. Most recently he worked as a financial consultant for the Neighborhood Housing of Los Angeles County, developing best practices for the department, refining their budget preparation process, and coaching their finance team.
In addition to his considerable financial, strategic and analytical skills, Mr. Scott is also an internationally certified Life, Performance, Emotional Intelligence and Executive Coach. “I am a deep believer in service,” said Mr. Scott. “More specifically, I believe the depth and breadth of my work, education, and life experiences will make me an exceptional contributor to the mission of Pathways LA, which mirrors my own values, and I am excited about my partnership with the team there.”
For over 40 years, Pathways has supported the consortium of care for children from disadvantaged communities, including community partners and policy makers. Every year their dedicated staff assists thousands of children and their families, and supports and trains hundreds of child care providers.
Pathways CEO, Tamika Farr, who is passionate about leveling the playing field for disadvantaged communities, said, “We are excited to expand our team to include Raymond Scott as Director of Finance. Raymond’s broad range of experience and qualifications positions him to an exceptional contributor to the mission of Pathways LA.”
The appointment of Raymond Scott comes after an extensive search and recruitment process lead by CEO Tamika Farr and the Pathways LA search committee, in conjunction with Envision Consulting--a nonprofit consulting firm based in Los Angeles, specializing in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration and executive leadership transitions. Envision’s commitment to DEI is integrated into its practices, including inclusive surveys and stakeholder interviews, focus groups, structured hiring processes, a focus on anti-biased decision making and more. In 2021, Envision was named by the Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy as a Top 10 Search Firm that Works for Women of Color.
Pasadena, CA–After searching the cosmos for the right candidate, The Planetary Society recently announced that Jim Suh has been named as their new Chief Financial Officer. Suh brings to The Planetary Society over 20 years of finance and business administration experience in both the nonprofit and private sectors. He most recently worked in nonprofit as Controller for the Hollywood Community Housing Corporation, and prior to that he was the Director of Operations and Finance for Education Through Music –Los Angeles.
“I’m honored to work for The Planetary Society,” said Suh, “and I am passionate about using my multi-faced background and broad skillset to serve this community.”
Founded in 1980 by Carl Sagan, Louis Friedman and Bruce Murray, and helmed today by famed science educator, Bill Nye, The Planetary Society aims to empower the world’scitizens to advance space and science exploration.
Chief Operating Officer of The Planetary Society, Jennifer Vaughn, said, “We are thrilled to have Jim join our team at The Planetary Society. His leadership and diverse business skills, coupled with his admirable integrity, make him exactly the candidate we were looking and hoping for when we began the search for a new CFO.”
The appointment of Suh comes after an extensive search and recruitment process led by Envision Consulting--a nonprofit consulting firm based in Los Angeles, specializing in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration and executive leadership transitions. Envision’s commitment to DEI is integrated into its practices, including inclusive surveys and stakeholder interviews,focus groups, structured hiring processes, a focus on anti-biased decision making and more. In 2021, Envision was named by the Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy as a Top 10 Search Firm that Works for Women of Color.
Los Angeles, CA – Child & Family Center has announced that Nikki Buckstead has been selected as its new CEO, effective November 14. The nonprofit provides comprehensive prevention, early intervention, diagnostic evaluation and behavior therapeutic services, outpatient drug and alcohol treatment and domestic violence services for children, adolescents and adults in the Santa Clarita, Antelope and San Fernando Valleys.
Buckstead has over 30 years of experience in social services and 20 years in nonprofit leadership. She most recently helmed the Family Solutions Collaborative of Orange County. Her extensive experience in the fields of mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness aligns with her passion for advocacy and working to reduce stigma and build collaboration.
Board Chair Dr. Marc Winger commented, “Our Board of Directors and its search committee worked diligently for over a year to identify someone who possesses the passion for those we serve. We are confident that we found someone who will work closely with the board and staff as we continue fulfilling our mission of changing lives, healing relationships, and helping people thrive. On behalf of our Board, I thank Dr. Joan Aschoff for her leadership over the past eight years, and wish her the best for her retirement.”
“Child & Family Center is a wonderful mission driven organization and it has been my great pleasure to have had the opportunity to serve as its CEO for the past eight years,” said Aschoff. “It was important to take the time to find the right leader with the skills and heart to continue the mission and move the agency forward. We have found that leader in Nikki.”
The appointment of Buckstead comes after an extensive search and recruitment process led by Dr. Winger and the search committee, in conjunction with Envision Consulting--a consulting firm with offices in Los Angeles, Denver, and New York, specializing in nonprofit executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration and executive leadership transitions. Envision’s commitment to DEI is integrated into its practices, including inclusive surveys and stakeholder interviews, focus groups, structured hiring processes, a focus on anti-biased decision making and more. In 2021, Envision was named by the Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy as a Top 10 Search Firm that Works for Women of Color.