
Executive Search steeped in philanthropy & nonprofit sector expertise.
We help leaders make well-informed, contextual decisions for the executive leadership and strategic future of their organizations.


We understand what’s at stake – your organization’s future.
At Carlson Beck, we view leadership transition as an inflection point in an organization’s evolution. To this end, we see our role in the process as serving as your trusted adviser, offering objective, professional, high-value counsel.
OUR APPROACH
Purpose-Driven Executive Search for Mission-Driven Organizations
CONSULTATIVE
We engage deeply with our clients to gain insight into the “whole person” that each candidate brings to the search process and leadership role and responsibilities.
INQUISITIVE
Through strategic partnership, we establish a heightened sense of mindshare about the organization and its culture, opportunities, and challenges, to form key experiences and competencies, as well as attributes and characteristics required for success.
OBSERVANT
We create a finely honed lens through which we view strategic and prospective leadership talent; this lens reflects the acuity of our understanding of the client’s needs and the candidates’ skill sets and experience as well as motivations, aspirations, and values.
IMPACT ORIENTED
We are fully invested in whom we hold as the ultimate client, i.e., those whom our client organizations seek to serve and impact. Our goal is to find and place transformational leaders whose efforts have a positive impact on our ultimate clients; with this purpose, we are always in total alignment with our clients.
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We are fully invested in positive outcomes, acknowledging not only how we can influence an organization’s future success but also how our influence can affect an individual’s professional trajectory.
we love our clients
What Our Clients Have To Say
“Having been represented by search professionals in the past, I can say with assurance that Sally and her team are the best organized and most thoughtful search professionals I have ever worked with. With sophistication…
“Carlson Beck’s search for a CEO resulted in our hiring an amazing leader who has brought growth and expansive thinking to our organization. I really appreciated how Carlson Beck laid out their process; what we liked even better was how…
“I first engaged with Carlson Beck when they approached me to consider seeking out a CEO role. I was deeply reluctant, but over the course of time, they helped me realize it was the right…
“Working with Sally was a dream. She was always available — responsive, wise, charming and witty. Most importantly, we hired an amazing CEO who confided to me later that she wasn’t sure if she would’ve…
“I have had the pleasure of working with Carlson Beck on two CEO searches for Hamilton Families in San Francisco over the past several years. Both of the searches ended with amazing results and a terrific…
“Sally Carlson and her team at Carlson Beck are consummate professionals – excellent question-askers and listeners who take the time to understand their clients’ executive staffing needs (even when those needs are difficult to pin…
“Thirteen years ago, Carlson Beck recruited me to serve as the President and CEO of the Arizona Community. The success of that search, and the trust that developed through their recruitment philosophy and their highly…
“As a candidate, my experience with Carlson Beck was smooth, encouraging, honest, and provided clear communication about the needs of the organization. The team was focused on my candidacy and made sure the Board was…
“I have had the opportunity and the pleasure of working with Carlson Beck on a major national search for a CEO. Sally Carlson personally managed the search. Our expectations were not only met, they were…


FOR OUR CLIENTS
Beyond Executive Search
We also provide professional consulting and advisory services in order to optimize client organizations.