A new venture. Perseverance.
After almost 15 years in the comforts and safety of public Higher Education, I sensed God calling me toward something new—an opportunity to parlay my experience into the corporate world. Like many of us on this journey of faith, I had grown comfortable in familiar surroundings, but the Lord had other plans. I was offered the chance to join a small Executive Search firm in their early stages to begin a new division in Christian Higher Education.
This transition wasn't just a career move; it was an act of trust in God's providence. Starting from nothing, I built the division from the ground up—developing client and candidate databases, crafting marketing communications, and learning to navigate an entirely unfamiliar landscape. Through countless hours of research, cold calls that tested my resolve, proposal development, and one-on-one meetings where I had to trust that the Holy Spirit would guide my words, I slowly gained ground.
The fruits of this leap of faith became evident when I signed two key Higher Education clients and completed three successful searches within my first year at the firm. Praise be to God for His gift of provision, and for reminding us that His grace is sufficient for every new beginning we're called to embrace.
Higher Plain Executive Placement - Search Director, Christian Higher Education
Founding director in the firm’s Higher Education practice area; Conceptualized, authored, and designed all marketing and communications; Developed and implemented business development strategy with new client base; Engaged colleges and universities as partners in a process developed to maximize organizational goals by placing key leaders into executive roles; Conducted client meetings with executive stakeholders and completed organizational analysis with search committees and relevant constituencies; Advised and made recommendations regarding candidate specifications and search strategy; Provided customized leadership training and consultation; Negotiated contracts.
Significant Accomplishments as a Search Director 2013-2014
Successfully evaluated, targeted, and penetrated the competitive market in higher-ed executive search resulting in the completion of 3 executive level searches during my tenure
Utilized entrepreneurial drive as catalyst for building a portfolio of successful searches
Served as the firm’s first marketing director – evaluating existing brand strategies, redeveloping messaging and key themes, redesigning website, incorporating content marketing elements, and developing a full suite of new publications