Business Details
Executive Search Services in Costa Mesa, CA
Sterling Search, Inc. has established itself as a premier executive search firm specializing in placing transformative leaders within healthcare, nonprofit, and education sectors. Our team brings over 115 years of combined experience in executive recruitment, offering a collaborative approach that prioritizes transparency, cultural alignment, and measurable outcomes. We work closely with search committees to develop tailored candidate criteria, leveraging our national network to identify high-impact professionals who drive organizational success. With a milestone-based fee structure, we ensure accountability through regular candidate prospect reports and rigorous evaluation processes, including reference checks and performance assessments.Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion informs every search, fostering environments where candidates and clients thrive. Headquartered in Southern California but operating nationally, we deliver timely, strategic placements that reflect our deep understanding of sector-specific challenges and opportunities. Our track record of successful placements, including roles at American Family Housing and Catholic Charities, demonstrates our ability to connect organizations with leaders who create lasting community impact. By combining personalized service with industry expertise, we empower nonprofits and educational institutions to achieve their missions through exceptional leadership.
Services
Executive Search
Healthcare Recruitment
Nonprofit Leadership
Education Sector Placements
Retained Search Services
Highlights and features
- We specialize in executive placements for healthcare, nonprofit, and education sectors
- Our team has 115+ combined years of executive search experience
- We implement a milestone-based partnership model for accountability
- We conduct in-depth candidate performance assessments and reference checks
- Our DEI initiatives ensure inclusive, culturally aligned placements
What people say
Highly qualified candidates
Terrific references
Great problem solver
Unparalleled service
Excellent slate of candidates
Services
Executive Search
Our executive search services specialize in identifying transformative leaders for mission-driven organizations. Through a structured process involving committee interviews, candidate assessments, and performance evaluations, we ensure cultural alignment and leadership excellence. Our milestone-based approach guarantees transparency and accountability throughout the placement journey.
Nonprofit Leadership
We focus on connecting nonprofit organizations with executives who understand community impact and organizational sustainability. Our process includes developing position criteria, conducting nationwide candidate outreach, and facilitating comprehensive evaluations to ensure leadership alignment with organizational missions and strategic goals.
Healthcare Recruitment
Our healthcare recruitment services target executive roles in wellness and medical organizations. We prioritize candidates with proven track records in patient care, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance, ensuring placements that enhance organizational capacity and community health outcomes.
Education Sector Placements
We specialize in placing education leaders who drive institutional excellence and student success. Our candidates demonstrate expertise in curriculum development, institutional advancement, and educational equity, creating lasting impacts across diverse learning environments.
Retained Search Services
Our retained search model offers dedicated, end-to-end recruitment solutions for critical leadership roles. Clients receive exclusive access to our network, regular progress updates, and customized candidate evaluation reports, ensuring optimal placement outcomes for high-impact organizational positions.
People
Sarah Agee
Founder & CEO
Sarah Agee founded Sterling Search with a vision to transform nonprofit and education leadership through strategic executive placements. Her 25+ years of search experience and commitment to DEI initiatives drive the firm's mission-focused approach.
Vanessa Petersen
Associate Director of Executive Search
Vanessa Petersen leads executive search initiatives with expertise in nonprofit governance and leadership development. Her background in organizational strategy ensures candidates align with client missions while maintaining rigorous professional standards.
David Martin
Managing Partner
David Martin oversees strategic operations at Sterling Search, combining financial acumen with executive recruitment expertise. His leadership ensures the firm maintains its commitment to excellence while expanding its national impact.
Greg Agee
Director of Administration
Greg Agee manages operational infrastructure, ensuring seamless service delivery across all client engagements. His administrative leadership supports the firm's growth while maintaining strict compliance with industry standards.
Crystal Smith
Administrative and Outreach Manager
Crystal Smith coordinates client communications and outreach initiatives, serving as a key liaison between search committees and candidates. Her organizational expertise ensures efficient, transparent recruitment processes for all stakeholders.
Questions
What industries does Sterling Search specialize in?
We focus on healthcare, nonprofit, and education sectors, placing executives who drive organizational impact in mission-critical roles.
How does your executive search process work?
Our process includes committee interviews, candidate assessments, milestone-based reporting, and performance evaluations to ensure optimal leadership matches.
What makes your firm different from other search agencies?
We combine 115+ years of collective experience with a DEI-focused approach and milestone-based accountability for measurable outcomes.
Do you offer retained search services?
Yes, our exclusive retained services provide dedicated recruitment solutions for critical leadership positions with regular progress updates.
How do you ensure candidate quality?
We conduct reference checks, performance assessments, and multi-round interviews to verify candidates' track records and cultural alignment.
Where are your current search opportunities?
Current openings span healthcare, education, and nonprofit sectors nationwide. Visit our Current Searches page for specific listings.
Reviews (1)
Abubakar Lawan Iliya
Nov 08, 2021
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