Need: Objectivity for internal search
Service: CEO Succession
Organization: Child Focus, Inc.
After partnering with Child Focus in 2019 to find a successor to the organization’s founder, The Yunker Group was re-engaged in 2025 to help the Board select an individual to succeed CEO Pamela Lindeman.
As the Board considered strong internal candidates, Board and Search Chair Tausha Crouch emphasized that The Yunker Group’s objectivity was essential: “The Yunker Group was able to provide an objective third-party perspective, helping our board mitigate potential biases and misconceptions that may have arisen from past interactions and experiences.”
Tausha called The Yunker Group an “invaluable partner” in the Board’s internal search and emphasized the expertise and dedication Jody Duckwall and Jim Yunker brought to the process. “I have been consistently impressed by The Yunker Group’s professional approach, which not only educates and guides clients through the process but also demonstrates a genuine concern for the well-being and future of their organization, making it easy to feel comfortable and confident in their expertise.”
Successful candidate Susan Graham emphasized that she felt well-informed and well-supported throughout the process: “I found The Yunker Group to be extremely professional, thorough, and very supportive to me as a candidate. It was very clear to me that they had both the organization and my best interests in mind and were willing to do whatever they could to help the process be successful.”
“I highly recommend that any board consider leveraging the expert resources of The Yunker Group to support their decision-making and governance,” insisted Tausha. “The Yunker Group’s thorough investigative work and meticulous candidate assessments enable board members to evaluate diverse candidates with confidence”
A testament to a successful search, Susan notes her enthusiasm to begin her new role: “I am so excited to begin in my new role as President & CEO at Child Focus, and I feel as prepared as I possibly can be. I look forward to working with the Board who made the decision to hire me, and I am grateful to have Jim Yunker’s continued counsel as a trusted colleague.”
The mission of Child Focus is to join with communities in improving the quality of life for children, families and adults. Child Focus directly serves over 20,000 children, families and adults annually in southern Ohio communities including Clermont, Brown, Hamilton, Butler, Adams, Highland and Warren counties.