Business Details
26 Years
experience
Trusted Executive Search Firm in Atlanta
CarterBaldwin Executive Search has redefined the executive search industry by prioritizing client and candidate alignment over conventional revenue-driven practice areas. Since our inception in 2000, we have built a firm where practice areas emerge organically from our partners' deep sector expertise, ensuring immediate value for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to mission-driven nonprofits. Our proprietary search process combines rigorous metrics with relationship-driven insights, achieving predictable outcomes across 25+ years and thousands of executive placements. We pioneered a performance-based retainer model that ties our success directly to client satisfaction, while maintaining a candidate-centric approach that treats professionals as partners rather than transactional assets.With offices in Atlanta and Washington, DC, our team of experienced search consultants serves industries including education, technology, and private equity, consistently earning recognition as one of Forbes' America's Best Executive Search Firms. Our culture emphasizes continuous improvement, evidenced by our 24/7 operational readiness and commitment to advancing leadership excellence through thought leadership initiatives like our annual white papers on organizational transformation.
Services
Executive Search
Leadership Consulting
Board Recruitment
CEO Onboarding
Succession Planning
Talent Assessment
Organizational Development
Search Process Optimization
Candidate Experience Management
Industry-Specific Placements
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- We implement a patented performance-based retainer model
- Our team has 125+ combined years of executive search experience
- We guarantee 24/7 availability for urgent leadership needs
- Our proprietary search process reduces time-to-hire by 30%
- We maintain a 95% candidate satisfaction rate through ethical practices
Associations and certifications
- Forbes America's Best Executive Search Firms
- Inc. 500
Services
Executive Search
Our executive search practice identifies transformational leaders for Fortune 500 companies and mission-driven organizations. We combine proprietary research methodologies with industry-specific expertise to deliver candidates who align with organizational culture and strategic goals. Our process includes comprehensive market analysis, targeted outreach, and rigorous assessment to ensure optimal matches for C-suite and board-level positions across multiple sectors.
CEO Onboarding
We specialize in designing comprehensive CEO onboarding programs that accelerate leadership effectiveness. Our approach includes stakeholder alignment, cultural integration, and strategic planning frameworks tailored to organizational needs. By facilitating smooth transitions for new executives, we help organizations maximize leadership impact within critical first-100-day windows while maintaining operational continuity during leadership changes.
Succession Planning
Our succession planning services create sustainable leadership pipelines for organizations of all sizes. We develop customized frameworks that identify high-potential talent, assess readiness gaps, and implement development programs. This proactive approach ensures business continuity while aligning leadership development with long-term strategic objectives across both corporate and nonprofit sectors.
Board Recruitment
We specialize in recruiting board members who bring strategic value and diverse perspectives to governance. Our process focuses on identifying candidates with specific industry expertise, regulatory knowledge, and governance experience. We facilitate comprehensive evaluations of leadership capabilities and cultural fit to build boards that drive organizational success and accountability.
Talent Assessment
Our talent assessment solutions use validated methodologies to evaluate executive capabilities and potential. We combine psychometric testing, behavioral interviews, and performance analysis to provide objective insights about leadership strengths and development areas. This data-driven approach supports informed decision-making for promotions, development programs, and team composition strategies.
People
David Clapp
Managing Partner
25-year business career including leadership roles at Xerox, Coca-Cola, and Thomson Reuters. Founded and scaled software company to enterprise success. Specializes in cross-industry executive searches for global corporations and mission-driven organizations.
Andrea McDaniel Smith
Partner
Former White House Office of Presidential Personnel advisor. Led recruitment for hundreds of senior government positions. Founded nonprofit organization in Rwanda and produced award-winning documentary 'Mama Rwanda'. Specializes in nonprofit and public policy sector leadership searches.
Bill Peterson
Partner
25+ years executive search experience placing university presidents and nonprofit leaders. Former partner at national recruiting firm where he established healthcare and higher education practices. Focuses on aligning organizational missions with leadership capabilities.
Jennifer Poole Sobocinski
Partner
25-year track record placing C-suite executives in Fortune 1000 companies. Recognized by Catalyst Magazine as Atlanta's Top 50 Entrepreneur. Specializes in manufacturing sectors and family-owned business transitions. Active in Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Price Harding
Chairman
30-year executive search career with 1,000+ completed C-level searches. Co-leads university and nonprofit practice. Former Director of Operations for equipment manufacturer. Active angel investor and board member for multiple private companies.
Questions
What industries does CarterBaldwin specialize in?
We serve six core sectors: Business Services, Education, Industrial, Nonprofit, Private Equity, and Technology.
How does CarterBaldwin's performance retainer work?
Our success fees are milestone-based, ensuring full payment only upon successful executive placement.
What makes CarterBaldwin different from other search firms?
We prioritize candidate treatment, use proprietary metrics-driven processes, and maintain smaller client rosters for focused service.
Do you work with international organizations?
Yes, our consultants have completed placements across North America and in 22+ countries globally.
How do you ensure cultural fit during searches?
Our process includes comprehensive organizational assessments and behavioral interviewing techniques to match leadership styles.
What leadership levels do you place?
We specialize in C-suite, board-level, and VP positions across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Reviews (2)
Whatsis Incognito
Sep 22, 2021
Report
Very Little Value Add
Let's start with the positive: They saved us some administrative work and administered a personality test to a handful of people. Our organization would have done better on our own. We expected a more efficient, more professional process, but instead we found the finalists on our own and their process took too long and ended without a candidate ... literally, we couldn't in good conscience pick from the finalists their process brought us, so we started over and did it ourselves. I and the rest of our search committee wasted a lot of time because of their process ... a LOT
Let's start with the positive: They saved us some administrative work and administered a personality test to a handful of people. Our organization would have done better on our own. We expected a more efficient, more professional process, but instead we found the finalists on our own and their process took too long and ended without a candidate ... literally, we couldn't in good conscience pick from the finalists their process brought us, so we started over and did it ourselves. I and the rest of our search committee wasted a lot of time because of their process ... a LOT
Brian Stann
Sep 06, 2020
Report
All around incredible experienced. They quickly sourced hundreds of qualified candidates, and we were blown away with the national attention they brought to our executive search. Ultimately we found the right person and continue to be extremely pleased with our new CEO. Great process and communication all around as we got down to the final hire. Will absolutely send my business to them in the future.
