Introducing Society’s Head of Consulting and Not-for-Profit Practice

We are pleased to announce that Tanya Stevens, Society’s former Head of Not-for-Profit Practice, has been promoted to the new role of Head of Consulting. In this leadership position, Tanya will work closely with Chief Executive Simon Lucas to support our EMEA consulting team to build a socially anchored search portfolio spanning the commercial, not-for-profit, higher education, schools, health and public sectors.

Tanya remains focused on enabling open and inclusive recruitment practice, and bringing an honest, reflective and impact-focused approach to her team and executive search partnerships. She will continue to consult on select C-Suite and Board-level appointments, while building new talent acquisition and leadership development collaborations for Society.  

Tanya commented: “I’ve had the privilege of working with a fantastic team, supporting a diverse portfolio of charities, development organisations and social enterprises tackling everything from global health inclusion to environmental sustainability and economic justice for young women. I’ve learned loads and remain inspired by the challenge of connecting talented people with purpose-driven roles. I’m excited to now do this across a broader portfolio alongside our ambitious fee earning team, which includes Sarah Engerer, our brilliant new Not-for-Profit lead consultant. I also look forward to working with new clients and exploring partnerships focused on leadership development and inclusive recruitment across the cross-sector social change landscape. Contact me on tanya.stevens@society-search.com to explore how we might work together.”

Sarah Engerer joined Society in January 2023 as the new Head of Not-for-Profit Practice. With experience across C-Suite and non-executive appointments, Sarah brings extensive executive search experience spanning the not-for-profit, health, education and public sectors. She joined Society from her role as Head of Oxford HR’s Board Practice, where she built and developed a non-executive search offering from scratch, which also included a board effectiveness review and salary benchmarking service. Sarah previously led client and candidate partnerships for search firms including Hays, Peridot Partners, having started in executive search in 2007 as one of Gatenby Sanderson’s graduate interns. Sarah has particular expertise in leadership, board effectiveness and strengthening diversity through appointing younger people to board roles; supporting organisations to be ready for board diversity.

Sarah has worked with for-purpose organisations that range from large national UK charities, INGOs, climate organisations, umbrella bodies and health charities. She applies her energy to driving diversity, equity and inclusion across all appointments, citing her best achievements as those where she has been able to support and develop individuals from under-represented groups to leadership roles within the charity sector.

Sarah’s team includes Shehrazade Zafar-Arif, Usma Collins and Alyce Brogan.

Shehrazade has worked with Society for over six years starting as a Researcher and now holding the role of delivery consultant. She is particularly interested in leading appointments within the arts and heritage and fundraising and development arenas, or that have a significant international dimension. She speaks English, French, Urdu, and Hindi. Her clients include the National Children’s Bureau, Impetus and Teenage Cancer Trust.

Usma joined Society in 2022 as Principal Researcher and brings direct experience from the community and voluntary sectors before recruiting for several years within the UK and international independent schools’ space. She is particularly passionate about appointments linked to community, women and girls’ development. Her clients include KIDS and Q at The Health Foundation.

Alyce joined Society in 2022 as Principal Researcher following an earlier career in international contingent recruitment. She has subsequently supported on several executive search assignments in sub-Saharan Africa on a freelance basis, working within the Not-For-Profit sector before leveraging these skills for our team. She is also passionate about working with organisations improving conditions for women, girls and families. Her clients include I-DAIR - the global health and AI collaborative, Royal Star & Garter and the International Federation of Library Associations.

Sarah commented: “What drew me to Society was the integrity and thoughtfulness embedded in the business. As a B Corp, sustainability and planet friendly approaches are at the fore. The Society Foundation, which channels 10% of profits back to grassroots charities, and the commitment to the programme 10,000 Black Interns, all put action behind the values Society talks about. The team have an impressive roster of successful appointments, and act as true consultants, unafraid to ask difficult questions, lean into the challenges and embody support and kindness. It is a positive environment to work in and aligns with my own principles of inclusion and innovation towards a more equitable world.”

If you would like to discuss how we can apply our work to your Board or charity you can reach me at sarah.engerer@society-search.com.