Sam Pettway

Founding Director

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Sam Pettway, Founding Director

Strengths: An entrepreneur’s energy and a marathoner’s tenacity combined with unparalleled passion for the very real difference strong leaders can make working in concert with strong boards.

Impact: Blessed to have helped an eclectic group of search committees, boards and CEOs achieve outsized aspirations for their organizations and missions, whether they be local citizens focused on public safety or a global entity attacking ethnic prejudice. Representative CEO engagements include two dozen foundations from Florida to Oregon (community, private, public and operating) and a wide array of mission-driven nonprofits, many of which were recruiting their first CEO in years—or even decades.

Before BoardWalk: Partner for 21 years with Spencer Stuart and Egon Zehnder International, two of the world’s leading executive search firms, personally serving clients (across the US and within 16 other countries) from start-ups to global industry leaders. Founded BoardWalk out of a deep respect for community-enhancing initiatives, organizations and leaders.

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Kathy Bremer

Managing Director

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Kathy Bremer, Managing Director

Strengths: Passionate belief that leadership matters most, and great nonprofit leadership makes a difference in human terms. A tenacious pursuit of excellence and results that exceed expectations on behalf of clients, colleagues and the larger community. A career that spans corporate, nonprofit and board leadership and management roles.

Impact: Clients served include global, national and local nonprofits and foundations. Chaired boards including Global Impact, Gerogia Center for Nonprofits and CHRIS Kids, and currently serve on the Leadership Atlanta, International Women’s Forum, Fugees Family and Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary boards.

Before BoardWalk: SVP of Marketing and Fundraising for CARE, one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations and Partner/Managing Director of Porter Novelli, a global communications firm known for “doing well by doing good.”

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John Sparrow

Senior Director

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John Sparrow, Director

Strengths: Strong analytical and strategic thinker, acute listener, collaborative problem solver with a reputation for skill and facility in addressing complex challenges.

Impact: Have been an integral part of building healthy institutional cultures across multiple organizations; my role at the Atlanta Symphony from 2000-2012 enabled me to help connect a broad cross-section of the Atlanta community through meaningful partnerships and critically important civic events (Coretta Scott King home going, American Red Cross 9-11 community healing event, Atlanta Nobel Peace Prize for President Carter)

Before BoardWalk: 20+ year career in performing arts administration with The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, The Adrienne Arsht Center and the Florida Philharmonic. Have been active in lecturing about arts related business issues at the university graduate and undergraduate level for many years.

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Crystal Stephens

Senior Director

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Crystal Stephens, Director

Strengths: Ability to develop strong, consultative partnerships with clients and take their passion for mission into the marketplace to find and attract strong leaders. Deep experience placing former corporate leaders with a passion and personality suited for nonprofits. A combination of tenacity and compassion that make finding the ideal candidate as satisfying as placing the remaining pieces in a mosaic masterpiece puzzle.

Impact: Have served local and national clients with a strong record of multiple assignments. Led CEO and ED searches across a wide range of non-profits and developed an affinity for education and workforce development. Continue to serve on nonprofit boards and volunteer in the community.

Before BoardWalk: Spent nearly 20 years in marketing and sales, primarily with IBM. Led a 900 member call/sales center for ibm.com and, as a Vice President at ibm.com, led a national sales team of 350. Spent three years at Russell Reynolds Associates leading primarily for-profit searches in the technology sector.

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Patti Kish

Director of Research

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Strengths: Patti Kish is the newest member of the BoardWalk Consulting Research department.

Impact: Patti is a seasoned veteran in recruiting coming to Boardwalk Consulting with 20 plus years of recruiting experience. Most recently Patti worked with the Barton Executive Search team in a sourcing and recruiting capacity. Earlier in her career, Patti worked with national clients on a variety of senior level positions ranging from senior level director up to C-level executive roles.

Before BoardWalk: Patti earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Development from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.

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Ayanna Grady-Hunt

Senior Associate

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Strengths: A former editor and feature writer, Ayanna is a seasoned communicator with the ability to connect clients’ executive needs with candidates’ passions and expertise.

Impact: Recruited President, Vice President and Director-level positions for a diverse set of nonprofit clients.

Before BoardWalk: Served in the executive offices of a former Atlanta mayor as part of a core team that supported crisis communications, public relations and marketing, public education, and communications strategies.

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Laura DiBacco

Senior Associate

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Strengths: The ability to think in the big picture and devise a creative and effective strategy for meeting challenges. A driving core belief of “excel still more.” A trained counselor’s ear which helps distill client aspirations. The gift of finding the fun in life.

Impact: I’ve served BoardWalk on numerous searches for leaders who have gone on to drive social change in their organizations and communities. Designed and oversaw BoardWalk anniversary events and enhance BoardWalk’s social media presence.

Before BoardWalk: Completed clinical counseling internship at a university counseling center. Relationship manager for a global corporate real estate association designing content and programs for over 1000 members. Led volunteer projects attached to biannual conventions. Front of house manager at Wine Spectator awarded restaurant.

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Sandra Poole

Operations Manager

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Strengths: Sandra has over 15 years of experience in internal and external client-serving and office management roles within the executive suite. She has worked in the healthcare, consumer goods and non-profit areas. A volunteer at many organizations, non-profit service is her passion.

Impact: Responsible for the day-to-day office management and support of staff directors.

Before Boardwalk: In addition to over 15 years in office management, she also has over 15 years in sales and marketing for a Fortune 500 company.

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Angela Owens

Project Manager

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Strengths: Angie has over 15 years of experience in client-serving and project management roles, both in for profit and high performing nonprofit organizations. Has a unique passion for nonprofit organizations and the impact they make on communities.

Impact: Supports the recruitment of top talent to executive level positions for a diverse set of nonprofit clients.

Before BoardWalk: Served over a decade as a collaboration/partnership manager for a high performing health nonprofit and, later, as a client relationship manager for a corporate real estate association.

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