Business Details
Trusted Executive Search Services in Tigard, OR
Acumen Executive Search is a woman-owned and operated executive search firm that transcends traditional recruitment by aligning organizational purpose with leadership excellence. With decades of combined experience, our team of seasoned professionals leverages deep market knowledge and relationship-driven strategies to identify executives who exceed expectations. Our proprietary approach emphasizes cultural fit, diversity, and long-term success metrics, evidenced by a 99% retained search success rate and 93% employee retention rate over three yearstriple the national average. We specialize in placing leaders across healthcare, professional services, and nonprofit sectors while maintaining a steadfast commitment to equity and inclusion.Our industry recognition includes multiple awards and a client retention rate of 92%, underscoring our ability to deliver transformative talent solutions. By limiting our headcount, we ensure agility and personalized service, positioning ourselves as strategic partners rather than mere recruiters. Our leadership team actively contributes to community initiatives, including mentorship programs for women in leadership and anti-racism advocacy. Through the Hiring for Good podcast, we share insights on impactful leadership practices that extend beyond organizational walls to create broader societal value.
Services
Executive Search
Leadership Recruitment
Diversity Hiring
Onboarding Support
Succession Planning
Highlights and features
- 99% success rate in retained executive searches
- 93% employee retention rate over three years
- 68% of leadership placements from underrepresented groups
- 92% of business from referrals and repeat clients
- Certified Woman-Owned Business with industry awards
Associations and certifications
- Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
What people say
Profound industry knowledge
Exceptional candidate quality
Transparent communication
Cultural alignment expertise
Long-term retention success
Services
Executive Search
Our executive search services identify transformative leaders through equity-focused methodologies and deep market insights. We specialize in placing C-suite executives who align with organizational culture and strategic objectives. With a 99% success rate, our process combines proprietary candidate networks with rigorous cultural and competency assessments to ensure long-term retention and performance.
Diversity Hiring
We implement data-driven diversity hiring strategies that prioritize underrepresented talent without compromising quality. Our approach includes targeted outreach to professional networks, bias-mitigation techniques in screening, and cultural competency training for hiring teams. 68% of our leadership placements represent women or minority groups, reflecting our commitment to equitable representation.
Onboarding Support
Our onboarding programs ensure seamless executive integration through structured transition plans and stakeholder alignment sessions. We provide cultural immersion resources, 90-day performance frameworks, and continuous feedback mechanisms to accelerate productivity. This support contributes to our 93% three-year retention rate for placed executives.
Succession Planning
We develop future-ready leadership pipelines through competency modeling and talent gap analysis. Our succession planning services include leadership development programs, board readiness assessments, and scenario-based continuity strategies tailored to organizational growth trajectories and industry challenges.
Cultural Alignment
Our cultural alignment methodology uses proprietary assessment tools and stakeholder interviews to map leadership traits against organizational values. We evaluate decision-making patterns, conflict resolution styles, and strategic vision alignment to ensure candidates thrive in their new roles and drive cultural continuity.
People
Suzanne Hanifin
Founder and President
With 20+ years in executive recruiting, Suzanne leads Acumen with strategic vision and a commitment to values-aligned hiring. She co-founded LEAP mentorship initiative and serves on multiple industry boards while maintaining a 99% search success rate through her relationship-based approach.
Molly Norton
Senior Director of Talent
Molly brings 25+ years of global HR and executive search experience, specializing in DEI resource development and panel interview facilitation. Her grassroots activism includes co-founding Lake Oswego Stronger Together, a BIPOC women's advocacy organization.
Farrah Burke
Director of Business Development
With 25+ years across government and tech sectors, Farrah leverages executive experience from Nike and A-dec to connect leaders with purpose-driven organizations. She serves on the Sherwood Senior Center Advisory Committee and multiple community charities.
Tanis Morris
Business Development
Tanis combines corporate sales expertise with nonprofit board leadership experience. As Hiring for Good podcast co-host, she champions mission-driven recruitment while maintaining active roles in educational and community development initiatives.
Christine Gunter
Operations Manager
Chris oversees Acumen's operational excellence with 16+ years of retail and management experience. Her digital expertise maintains the firm's technological edge while ensuring seamless client interactions across all recruitment processes.
Questions
What industries does Acumen Executive Search specialize in?
We specialize in healthcare, professional services, and nonprofit sectors, with deep expertise in placing executives who align with organizational culture and mission.
What is Acumen's success rate for executive placements?
Our retained search success rate is 99%, with 93% of placed executives remaining with organizations after three years—triple the national average.
How does Acumen ensure diversity in candidate selection?
We prioritize equity-focused practices, with 68% of leadership placements representing women or underrepresented communities through targeted outreach and inclusive screening.
What geographic areas does Acumen serve?
While headquartered in Tigard, OR, we operate nationally with particular strength in the Pacific Northwest and major metropolitan areas.
What is the Hiring for Good initiative?
Our podcast and methodology focus on placing leaders who create lasting impact through cultural alignment, ethical practices, and community-driven leadership development.
Videos
Reviews (1)
Doug Lundrigan
Sep 21, 2018
Report
The professionals at Acumen are excellent people who are really great at their work. I have had three business transactions with them. They take the time to really understand their clients and treat my business with the same level of care and responsibility as if it was their own. With no hesitation I highly recommend doing business with Suzanne and her associates at Acumen.