KEES/Alford Executive Search

10/20/2026

Happy Work Anniversary to KEES Candidate Placement, Grace Araya!

Congratulations on celebrating three years as President and CEO of Concordia Place! We celebrate your continued leadership and commitment to advancing equity through high-quality education, enrichment, and hands-on experiences for children, teens, and families.

From its beginnings as a single child care center in the basement of Concordia Lutheran Church in 1981 to four vibrant centers impacting nearly 700 lives each year, Concordia Place is celebrating 45 years of making a difference!

Wishing Grace, the Concordia Place Board, and the entire team continued success and another impactful year ahead!

10/19/2026

Happy Work Anniversary to KEES Candidate Placement, Derick Orr! Congratulations to Derick and The Salvation Army of Northern California (Del Oro Division) on celebrating this four-year milestone over the weekend! We’re proud to have played a part in connecting talented leaders with mission-driven organizations and wish Derick continued success in the years ahead.

10/17/2026

Happy Work Anniversary to KEES Candidate Placement, Andy Gowdy!

Congratulations to Andy on celebrating three years as Director of Development at Blind Service Chicago! We’re proud to have supported Andy’s placement and to celebrate his continued leadership and dedication to advancing the organization’s mission to empower and inspire people who are blind or have low vision.

10/15/2026

Happy Work Anniversary to KEES Candidate Placement, Thomas Applegate! Congratulations on celebrating your second anniversary yesterday as Executive Director of the Counseling Center of the North Shore (CCNS) in Winnetka, IL. Under your leadership, CCNS continues its important mission of helping people navigate life’s challenges and transitions through counseling, therapy, and community education. Wishing you continued success in the year ahead!

10/12/2026

The second Monday in October carries different meanings across the country. Whether observed as Indigenous Peoples’ Day or Columbus Day, it offers a moment to reflect on the rich and complex history that shapes our nation.

KEES honors the history of our nation and celebrates the diversity of our client partners and the communities they serve. We also recognize the unique heritage, countless contributions, and enduring impact of Indigenous peoples throughout history.

Learn more about the variety of observances across the country from PEW Research: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/10/07/columbus-day-indigenous-peoples-day-or-just-a-regular-monday-it-depends-on-where-you-are/

Explore the diverse organizations we partner with: https://kees2success.com/clients-served-by-kees/

10/09/2026

Happy Work Anniversary, Mark Riggleman!

Congratulations to KEES Candidate Placement Mark Riggleman on nine years as Executive Director of Classical Music Chicago! We celebrate your leadership and the impact you continue to make in expanding access to classical music and supporting the next generation of musicians.

Wishing you continued success in the years ahead! 🎶

10/08/2026

KEES is pleased to announce the appointment of Morgan Estabrook as Vice President of Philanthropy and Marketing at Clearbrook. Congratulations to Morgan on this exciting new opportunity!

We extend our sincere appreciation to President and CEO Jessica Smart and the entire leadership team for their invaluable partnership throughout this search process.

Read more: https://kees2success.com/clearbrook-appoints-morgan-estabrook-as-vice-president-of-philanthropy-and-marketing/



Photo credit: Tristan Riddell

KEES Executive Search Client Partner, Clearbrook, appoints Morgan Estabrook as vice president of philanthropy and marketing, bringing fundraising expertise and a personal connection to disability advocacy.

09/26/2026

🔑 CEO retiring? Board in transition? You don’t have to navigate it alone.

Executive transitions are pivotal moments in an organization's lifecycle. Having the right strategic advisor makes all the difference.

Whether you're planning ahead or actively navigating a search, KEES is here to help.

Let’s connect: Contact KEES directly at [email protected] or start a conversation here: https://kees2success.com/contact-us/

09/23/2026

Happy Work Anniversary to KEES Candidate Placement Stacey Freeman! Congratulations on reaching seven incredible years with Heifer International! Here’s to another year of making a difference as Director of Philanthropy!