Need: Finding an experienced leader to follow retiring Executive Director
Service: Executive search
Founded in 1986 and steeped in the traditions and teachings of the Catholic Church, Healthy Moms & Babes is an outreach ministry whose mission is to increase infant survival as well as foster the health of women, children, and families. With the pending retirement of its long-time Executive Director, the Board’s Search Committee turned to Smith Beers Yunker to help them find a new chief executive.
Kathy Ison, Board Chair and Search Committee member, says she was exceptionally pleased with the services provided by Smith Beers Yunker: “I’ve worked with other consultants in a similar capacity, and this experience compared very favorably. We were very pleased with how it went, and are very happy with the candidate we chose.”
“Throughout the process, I was very impressed with Jim’s thoroughness,” noted Kathy. “I felt like we got to know the candidates very well. He facilitated the interviews and board meetings very well. I also found Jim very fun – and easy – to work with. He makes you feel like you’re the most important client. He always made it very clear to us that his job was to serve our needs.”
Sister Tricia Cruise, the selected candidate appreciated Jim’s supportive presence during the search: “From my perspective, the process went quite smoothly. Of all of the consultants I’ve come in contact with as an applicant, Jim has been the most sensitive and has followed through and walked not only with the interviewer and search committee but also those that applied for the job.
She added, “In a situation where someone is taking over for a founder, there are often big challenges. I think Jim was very much the calming factor for everyone, and that was very helpful.”
Kathy also felt that Smith Beers Yunker provided excellent counsel and diverse support during the search: “Jim was really helpful in a number of ways. He even assisted with things like putting together an appropriate salary and benefits package and promoting our organization to the candidates. We did also have one sensitive issue that arose, and Jim was very good about helping us navigate the pros and cons of that situation.”
“I will recommend Smith Beers Yunker in a nanosecond. Jim Yunker is one of the most professional professionals I know. In this whole world of trying to bring organizations and leadership along so that they can be better, it’s critical. And I think Jim does this work very well,” added Sister Tricia.