Testimonials

President & Director, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation

“Kathleen is an outstanding executive search consultant. I’m thrilled we’ve continued to work together over many years, most recently to find a terrific Managing Director, Effective Philanthropy for the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation who will take our work to the next strategic level.

When I was building a new team at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, I engaged her for all my toughest searches and she worked closely with me to fill many positions during a high growth period over several years. She always brought forward creative ideas and talented people for me to consider and she helped me hire some of the best talent in the country in the area of strategy and evaluation. She has the highest standard of integrity and is a pleasure to work with.”

Chair Talent & Culture Committee, Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees

“Working with Kathleen Yazbak and Viewcrest was a very productive and fruitful experience during the Wikimedia Foundation CEO search. She spends considerable time upfront aligning on the needs of the many stakeholders and decision-makers who will eventually make the call, which then helps bring significant clarity to the universe of candidates that are screened, from the wish-list to the longlist, to the shortlist. Kathleen was responsive and timely, paying particular attention to an equitable and inclusive process, and Viewcrest brought a terrific pool of global candidates, including from emerging non-Western nations, to the Board search committee, which I chaired. There was significant background research into candidates who ended up on the shortlist, coupled with meaningful ‘live’ research, even as there was an emphasis on meeting the broad deadlines we had set for ourselves in what was a critical and complex global search. The outcome and the ‘closing’ in on the candidate was excellent, and the entire Board was appreciative of Viewcrest and Kathleen’s always-engaged personal ownership and role.”

Regional Director (Europe, Mediterranean, and Asia), United States Peace Corps (former COO, IDinsight)

“Viewcrest Advisors was the search firm for IDinsight’s CEO search, which Kathleen managed with care and excellence. Our search took place at the very onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant that we had to rapidly toggle the entire process to a remote setting. Kathleen adapted the process and guided the search committee with calm and professionalism. Founder CEO departures can be difficult for an organization to navigate, but thanks to Kathleen we achieved our dream outcome. Since working on the search together Kathleen regularly checks in with IDinsight and remains a thought partner and trusted advisor. I would recommend her highly as an executive search partner.”

Board Chair, Creative Commons

“Kathleen and her team were outstanding partners during our CEO search. They took the time, and devoted the personal attention, to really getting to know our organization and our unique needs. Because Kathleen really “got us,” she could both identify the best candidates for us and serve as an effective ambassador for us in conversations with those candidates. This excellent performance was all the more remarkable given that our search unfolded during the stressful and chaotic Spring of 2020. Kathleen and her team did not miss a beat. They kept our search on track and kept our spirits up with their enthusiasm for our organization and mission. Our experience was everything we had hoped for when we selected a small firm with a personalized approach–and much, much more.”

Board Chair, YMCA of Greater Boston

“I’ve partnered with Kathleen Yazbak on two high profile CEO searches; the first was so successful that our CEO was recruited by the national organization after five successful years. Kathleen and her team were fully committed and invested the time to understand our unique needs and tailor their approach. She met tight search timelines, identified and proactively recruited diverse, highly qualified candidates from multiple sectors, and provided expert assessments that were crucial to our decision-making. Kathleen has stayed connected with us and our CEO, because she genuinely cares about our team, mission and work in the community.”

Chief Executive Officer, National Council for Mental Wellness

“Kathleen and her team were so helpful to us in every stage of the search process.  Spending time with us to understand our organization and what was needed in a new role.  She worked with us collaboratively to refine the job description and search parameters and then was able to identify top notch candidates.  The care and thoughtfulness at every stage of the process ensured that the search went quickly and ended with the perfect candidate. I highly recommend her team.”

Chair, 1911 Office, LLC

“I have nothing but great things to say about our recent partnership with Viewcrest on our CEO search. Throughout the whole process Kathleen and her team were communicative, responsive, creative and thinking one step ahead. We were able to stick with our timeline and process, even during unprecedented times. Viewcrest’s extensive networking and candidate sourcing brought us a very strong candidate pool. We were working within a number of unique constraints. Viewcrest understood our particular situation and was able to find excellent candidates that fit our position. In the end, we had a very successful search and were thrilled with the results. Not only did the process bring us a fabulous new leader, but it brought our committee clarity on what we were looking for in a CEO and has reenergized and refocused us for the future. It was a pleasure to work with Viewcrest and I would highly recommend them to others.”

President, The Barr Foundation

“Viewcrest Advisors served as an indispensable thought partner as we revisited our organizational structure with a view toward a senior executive search. Rather than diving in to conduct a search, Viewcrest invested time to understand our culture, our history, and our aspirations; based on that, we jointly developed a more considered scope for a new senior executive, with broad buy-in and engagement. Viewcrest then led a thorough search process, in close partnership with me. While we were pleased with the outcome, we were just as pleased with the process, which was carried out respectfully and in alignment with our organization’s values.”

President of Dayton Home; Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, and Chair of the Presidential search committee, MSPCA-Angell

“Our organization is complex and navigating a complicated time in our market space. Viewcrest Advisors’ upfront investment of time and resources discovering the needs of the operation, our culture and values made a world of difference in how we approached the search and our next CEO’s qualifications. The team identified impressive candidates and steered us through the vetting process brilliantly. Viewcrest Advisors’ cumulative professional experience and Kathleen’s personal contributions and enthusiasm in this effort were the perfect fit for us. I feel confident we would not have had such a successful result or a flawless search process without Viewcrest Advisors. Kathleen will be my first call for a search partnership in the future.”

Vice President for Policy, Environmental League of Massachusetts; Board Chair, Transportation for Massachusetts

“I offer my highest recommendation for Viewcrest Advisors. We were looking for a new Executive Director for a coalition working on high profile transportation issues. Kathleen helped us develop a pool of great candidates and we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. Kathleen operated with the utmost integrity, always made herself available, guided us through a number of ups and downs during our search and skillfully handled some challenging negotiations.  She provided valuable insight and counsel and was a great sounding board. Her years of experience finding highly qualified leaders who are the right fit for each of her clients clearly informs her work.  Plus, she is a pleasure to spend time with — high energy and always positive and encouraging.“

Associate Vice President, Human Resources, The Boston Foundation

“I have worked with Kathleen Yazbak on executive searches at various organizations over more than a decade. I have always been impressed with her process; she devotes significant time at the beginning to lay the groundwork for a successful search. She assesses the mission, culture and priorities of the organization as well as the qualifications and qualities of the successful candidate. Viewcrest Advisors draws upon research, their extensive database, and vast network to surface candidates.  Kathleen is a true partner in the search – her candid analysis and insights are invaluable. After the candidate is hired Kathleen continues to be a partner, checking in periodically to see how things are going. Kathleen is not only extremely competent, she is also a pleasure to work with.”

M.D. Physician in Chief, MassGeneral Hospital for Children; Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital; Board Chair, Project Bread The Walk for Hunger

“Viewcrest Advisors took the time to learn about our organization, and the qualities of the person who would best fit our needs. They led a very wide search using not only traditional sources but also their own extensive network. Kathleen guided us through the process, helping us narrow the field to identify the leading candidates. They were there with us every step of the way, and made it clear they really cared, and were invested in helping us identify an excellent candidate… I can’t imagine how the Viewcrest Advisors’ team could have supported us any better.”

Associate Director, HR, Harvard University; former Director, Human Resources, Swanee Hunt Alternatives

“I worked with Viewcrest Advisors on a critical C-level search when the organization was in the midst of a transition.  Kathleen Yazbak is one of the most exceptional recruiters I’ve worked with.  Her approach to the search process allows her to present top notch candidates each and every time – there wasn’t one person I wished I hadn’t seen.   Kathleen has extensive resources and can network with others on the most difficult of searches – ours was certainly challenging and evolving during the process.  Viewcrest was not discouraged by this, and was aptly able to pivot and redirect every step of the way.  I appreciate Kathleen’s enthusiasm, tailored approach, consistent communication, follow up, and her professionalism during the entire process.  She is truly a value-added business partner.  She would be the first (and only) person I would reach out to, in undertaking future C-level searches.”

Chair, The Leon Lowenstein Foundation

“Kathleen and her associates were exceptional partners in our challenge to identify a new executive director for our foundation.  I felt Kathleen really helped our board figure out and communicate what we needed.  She also skillfully guided us through the hiring process to ensure that we were all involved and comfortable with our decision.  She managed our search with great care and respect for all.”

Vice Chair, BRAC USA

“During a 45 year career in domestic and international bank management and economic development, I have had an opportunity to work with many search firms, from the smallest to the largest. Most recently, as chair of the Board Search Committee for a CEO at BRAC USA, I had the privilege of working with Kathleen Yazbak and her colleagues at Viewcrest Advisors. I have never had a better search experience. Not only were we able to hire a remarkably strong president, but we had multiple qualified candidates from which to choose. The working relationship throughout the search process was unparalleled.”

World Board Chair, PrimeGlobal

“Our global association had a challenging leadership role to fill and we were fortunate to have partnered with Viewcrest Advisors. Kathleen Yazbak and her team provided myself and our search committee with an outstanding level of support, guiding the process from the initial meeting through the final selection discussions leading to the selection of the next CEO of PrimeGlobal. The scope of the search required seeking candidates from around the world as well as the need to meet the needs of an organization in transition.  To have found Kathleen, who listened as well as provided valuable insights as the search moved forward, allowed decision makers to be in the best position to make a choice from a well qualified group of candidates. I would strongly recommend any organization seeking to fill a key C level position to consider speaking to, meeting with and retaining Viewcrest.”