nonprofit executive search firm boston, nonprofit recruiter boston, Regis College

Happy Birthday to Pillar Search & HR Consulting!

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It is hard to believe that it has been five years since I started Pillar Search & HR Consulting. It has been a labor of love, a source of joy and purpose. My nonprofit and mission-driven clients are awe-inspiring and do amazing work in education, workforce development, the arts, sustainability, women’s rights, economic empowerment, and so much more. I consider myself so fortunate to help them to advance their missions by hiring for their important roles and developing and empowering their teams.

I intentionally chose July 16, 2015 as my founding date because it was the birthday of one of my best friends, Sharon Mulcahy, who had died unexpectedly the year prior. Sharon and I met the day we moved into Regis College as freshman, and were friends for over 25 years. Sharon was an entrepreneur and cofounder of Jackrabbit Design. Watching her grow her business, which included many nonprofit clients, taught me so many wonderful lessons that have helped me in my own entrepreneurial journey. In the past few years, when I face a challenge, I often wonder “what would Sharon do?” and feel her somehow guiding me in the right direction. 

In honor of Pillar’s 5th anniversary and my dear friend who inspired its founding date, I have made a donation to Regis College’s Diverse Educator’s Scholarship, which honors the mission of Regis and its commitment to diversifying the education profession by offering a select group of undergraduate education students the opportunity to attend Regis through merit-based aid. Upon graduating, these students serve underrepresented populations in education.

Thanks to all who have helped me along this journey. Here’s to another exciting five years!

A woman-owned company based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information, please contact Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

national nonprofit search, nonprofit executive search firm boston, nonprofit hire boston, Opportunities

Exciting News from Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) Boston and Pillar Search & HR Consulting

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Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) Boston and Pillar Search & HR Consulting are proud to announce the appointment of Jim Santiago to the role of Chief Information Officer. Jim joins JVS on July 13, 2020.

As CIO, Jim will be a member of the Executive Team, and will establish the mission and vision of JVS’s technology organization to foster a value-added, user-focused mindset. He will implement technology, process, and engagement steps to optimize staff productivity, support consistent cross-program delivery, and foster an information-driven culture.

Jim was selected following an extensive search based on his unique qualifications. He was recognized as the 2012 CIO of the Year – Nonprofit by the Boston Business Journal / Mass High Tech. He brings extensive experience from positions with leading organizations, including The New England Center for Children, State Street Global Advisors, and FLIR Systems.

Notably, while CIO at The New England Center for Children, which is the global leader in providing effective, evidence-based educational services to children with autism, Jim successfully created business opportunities, improved the technology infrastructure, and updated technology to enhance traditional teaching methods and improve business processes.  

In addition to Jim’s impressive professional experience, he has a strong commitment to the JVS mission of empowering individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers, while partnering with employers to hire, develop and retain productive workforces.

“We look forward to Jim’s leadership as JVS evolves into an agency with a fully integrated, highly effective tech infrastructure and systems which will optimize staff, client and alumni success,” said Kira Khazatsky, JVS Chief Operating Officer.

About JVS Boston:

For 80 years, JVS has helped tens of thousands of individuals with barriers to economic success secure financial independence through training, education and employment services.  As the largest provider of adult education and workforce development services in the region, JVS is a nationally recognized leader in workforce development, and is a key part of the poverty alleviation strategy for the greater-Boston area.  In order to reach people in need of assistance on their pathway to meaningful employment and financial independence, JVS targets most of its services to low-income individuals who are unemployed or underemployed and to low-wage workers in need of career advancement services.  Many have multiple support needs ranging from limited English proficiency and lack of education to disabilities, criminal records, lack of childcare and transportation.  JVS’s annual operating budget of more than $15 million is derived equally from public and private sources.

About Pillar Search & HR Consulting:

A woman-owned business based in Boston, Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides executive search/recruiting and human resources consulting expertise to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, working with senior leaders and boards of directors to hire and develop the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. To learn more, please contact Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com.

executive director vermont, executive search arts, nonprofit executive search

Southern Vermont Arts Center Welcomes New Executive Director Anne Corso

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Pillar Search and HR Consulting is proud to have partnered with Southern Vermont Arts Center on the placement of Anne Corso as Executive Director. Welcome, Anne!

Manchester, VT, January 7, 2019—Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC) is excited to announce Anne Corso as its new Executive Director.

About Southern Vermont Arts Center The mission of Southern Vermont Arts Center is to promote and nurture the arts. SVAC creates an inviting environment for the community to meet, enjoy, and participate in the arts through exhibits at Yester House and the Wilson; concerts in Arkell Pavilion; and workshops and summer camps. SVAC is situated on a beautiful 100-acre campus and expansive sculpture park in the heart of the Green Mountains. SVAC’s 2019 season opens in April with the annual Art From the Schools exhibit.

Anne comes to SVAC from the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia, where she served as the Director of Education since 2012. As Director of Education, she served on the Chrysler Museum of Art’s leadership team and was responsible for an Education Department of 5 full-time staff and more than 90 volunteer docents. She also provided oversight for the Museum’s Perry Glass Studio and its 15-person artist staff, as well as the Jean Outland Chrysler Library. In her time at the Chrysler, Anne led reinterpretation efforts in conjunction with the Museum’s renovation completed in 2014. She facilitated the successful move and reopening of the Library and led the Glass Studio through its expansion of both public and revenue-generating programs, its performance series, and its transition in leadership. She restructured and re-staffed the Education Department to its highest levels, fully integrating standards of learning into the Museum’s school programming, adding a component of community engagement that serves underrepresented audiences, and training a corps of 90 docents.

Most recently, she spearheaded the opening of the Museum’s first interactive space for families, the Wonder Studio, which has garnered national attention in the museum field. Prior to her tenure at the Chrysler, she served as the Director of Education at the Reading Public Museum in Pennsylvania from 2007 to 2012. There, she created the museum’s first Family Learning Center. From 2004 to 2007, Anne was Director of Education at the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington. During her time there, she supervised a department of three full-time employees, 25 studio instructors, and over 50 docents. At Delaware, she also spearheaded several initiatives, including the design of the children’s education space, the creation of the museum’s studio art program, and the development of a visitor-centered digital storytelling tour to complement the museum’s $25 million renovation and expansion.

The arts have been Anne’s profession for two decades. In addition to her museum career, she has worked in a private art gallery, a regional art center, and a contemporary art center. Anne holds a B.A. in Art History from Rosemont College in Pennsylvania and a M.A. in Museum Education from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She is a popular speaker, panelist, and advocate for enhancing visitor experiences in museums. Her most recent publication is “Listening to Our Audiences,” a chapter in Engagement and Access: Innovative Approaches for Museums (Rowman & Littlefield, July 2015).

In 2016, Anne participated in the nationally known Getty Leadership Institute for Executive Education program for museum leaders. She was also honored as a Woman of Distinction in the arts category from the YWCA of Hampton Roads in 2017 for her commitment to community engagement.

From Anne Corso, new SVAC Executive Director: “I am very excited to come to the Southern Vermont Arts Center and build upon the great work done by the trustees and SVAC’s staff. The opportunity to work with such an outstanding regional resource and to engage new audiences is very appealing. With the support of the community, I look forward to building upon SVAC’s educational programming, unique performances and exhibitions, and activating its incredible campus. On a personal level, I have been particularly impressed with the warm welcome we have received already. My husband Tim and I look forward to making Vermont our new home.”

From Bob Van Degna, President, SVAC Board of Trustees: “We are excited to introduce Anne to the Manchester and Dorset community as the new leader of the Southern Vermont Arts Center, especially as we plan for significant changes in 2019. Her experience in the arts will provide important leadership as we Reimagine SVAC by making this cultural jewel even more relevant to our entire community and our visitors.”

Southern Vermont Arts Center 930 SVAC Drive | Manchester, VT 802.362.1405 Facebook:/southernvermontartscenter Instagram:@sovtarts Press Contact for SVAC: Hannah Evans hevans@svac.org Photography by Glenn Bashaw.

Hire the best! Pillar Search & HR Consulting provides nonprofit executive search expertise, working with senior leaders and boards of directors to find the very best talent across all functional areas of the organization. For more information, please contact Pillar’s CEO, Cindy Joyce at cindy@pillarsearch.com.