Tailored search solutions for nonprofits.
We know that great nonprofit organizations need great people, and we are dedicated to placing the right person in the right role. We recognize that every nonprofit – and every search – is unique, and we are committed to collaborating with you to develop a search process that is flexible and tailored to your timeline, resources, and goals.
240+
successful assignments
19 years
search experience in the nonprofit sector
98%
placement rate
About
Diane Carlyle has nearly 20 years of experience guiding nonprofits through leadership transitions and building high-performing executive teams. She specializes in CEO and senior leadership searches for cultural institutions nationwide and nonprofits across New York City.
Before launching Diane Carlyle Executive Search, she spent over 15 years at a leading global firm and began her career at a boutique search firm dedicated to NYC nonprofits. Her background as an educator and fundraiser gives her a grounded perspective on the sector's needs.
Today, Diane combines strategic expertise with a personalized, mission-aligned approach—helping nonprofits find the right leaders for long-term success.
“Nearly 20 years in nonprofit search has taught me that there’s no single formula for success. Best practices are important, but they need to be incorporated into an approach tailored specifically to your organization’s needs and culture.”
Services
Every nonprofit's situation is unique, and so is our approach to supporting you. Whether you need comprehensive search management, quick momentum on a time-sensitive role, strategic insights about the talent landscape, or expert guidance for your process, we'll work with you to determine the process that best suits your goals, timeline, and budget.
Talent Sprint
A focused process that builds momentum and delivers top candidates fast. A focused, time-bound search designed to surface top talent quickly. Through targeted research and active outreach, we deliver a strong pool of qualified candidates, giving your team the momentum to move forward without delay.
Search
A hands-on partnership to guide your search from first conversation to signed offer. Our most comprehensive partnership. We work closely with your stakeholders to understand your needs, craft a compelling position specification, conduct thorough research and candidate development, and guide your Search Committee through every stage. From initial outreach through final negotiations, we handle the process so you can focus on selecting the right leader with confidence.
Search Advisory
Expert guidance for your Search Committee from start to finish. For organizations leading their own process, we provide experienced counsel to the Search Committee every step of the way. From shaping the search strategy to advising on interviews, references, and final decisions, we ensure the process is thorough, thoughtful, and aligned with best practices.
Talent Mapping
Clarity on the leadership landscape to inform today's search and tomorrow's strategy. Gain clarity on the leadership landscape with our comprehensive talent mapping service. We provide detailed insights into key leaders and emerging talent across your peer and aspirational organizations, helping inform both your current search and future pipeline strategy.
Custom Approach
Don't see exactly what you need?
We're happy to work with you to design an approach that fits your specific situation. As long as we believe the process will have integrity and support a successful outcome—for both the search and the eventual placement—we'll find a way to help.
How We Work
Our Commitment to You
Your success matters to us. That’s why we limit the number of projects we take on—so you get your complete focus and attention throughout.
We believe great outcomes happen when the work is thorough, collaborative, and grounded in an understanding of your unique situation.
Whether we’re conducting a search, running a talent sprint, mapping talent, or providing advisory support, the same foundational steps underlie every engagement.
Listen || We start by understanding your organization—the dynamics, goals, and what success looks like for you.
Advise || Together, we define priorities and shape an approach that focuses on what matters most for your specific situation and objectives.
Engage || We invest time in meaningful conversations with you and your stakeholders, ensuring we can accurately assess what you need, in a process and in a placement. With candidates, we are then able to act as genuine storytellers for your organization, introducing opportunities with the care, authenticity, and clarity your mission deserves.
Discover || Whether identifying candidates, mapping talent, or guiding strategy, we draw on our networks, conduct thorough research, and bring fresh perspective to see beyond the obvious. We're intentional about minimizing bias to ensure you don't miss great talent.
Connect || We approach every interaction—with candidates, stakeholders, or collaborators—with thoughtfulness and care, recognizing that relationships matter as much as outcomes, particularly in a competitive market for talent.
Insight || We develop a holistic perspective that goes beyond surface-level information. Understanding context is crucial for good decisions.
Close || We’re with you every step of the way to execute a strong process, share insights, and support your decision-making.
For Candidates
For us, it’s about building relationships, not just filling roles.
As a retained search firm, we're accountable to our clients, but we know that truly great outcomes happen when candidates have an exceptional experience too.
Here’s what you can expect when you work with us:
We're genuinely interested in learning about you, what matters to you, and how you're thinking about your long-term career goals—not just for this opportunity, but for the future.
We take time to have thoughtful conversations about whether a role aligns with your goals and values. It has to be a match for you, too.
Exploring a new opportunity is a significant investment of your time and energy, and we're here to guide you through the entire process with timely updates and clear communication.
Confidentiality matters as much to us as it does to you. Your information is only shared with our client, and only with your permission.
“After almost 20 years of doing this work, I know that each organization and each search is different. While there are best practices, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and I work with you to design a right-sized approach”
Executive Search
© 2025 by Diane Carlyle Executive Search.
