In September of 2025, Talent Citizen turned 10—and as we look forward to 2026, we’re also taking stock of a decade of growth. From day one, we’ve pushed the search field to think bigger. What happens when firms, clients, and leaders across civil society, philanthropy, nonprofits, and corporate spaces use their positional power not only to hire, but to create collective good?
Beginning with Design Thinking: Opening the Pipeline
In our early days, we built a methodology centered on expansive, equity-forward searches. We went beyond the “known networks” to identify exceptional leaders and transferable competencies across sectors. We focused on widening the talent pipeline and elevating voices historically shut out of leadership spaces.
What I remember most about those first few years were the courageous early clients: organizations willing to experiment with a fledgling firm that believed deeply in shifting access and opportunity. Their willingness to champion underrepresented leaders helped us prove what intentional, inclusive search could make possible.
Doubling Down on Transparency: Calling People In, Not Out
But identifying great talent wasn’t enough. We needed to ensure our placements—and our clients—were set up for lasting success. That meant getting rid of the search “black box,” strengthening communication, and creating processes that made every part of the search more transparent.
We asked tough questions: How do we call organizations into inclusive change rather than calling them out? How do we build trust with candidates and clients? How do we tell the truth with care?
These questions shaped a key guiding principle for us—clarity, alignment, and open communication became the foundation of our work.
Partnered Learning: Aligning for Impact
Then came our next evolution: alignment. What does success look like for a role not just on paper, but institutionally? How do all stakeholders share responsibility for achieving it? And how do we shift discovery conversations from “inputs” into meaningful, actionable learning?
To explore these questions, we launched our partnered learning approach, teaming with clients who were brave enough to self-reflect, iterate, and pursue impact that extended beyond their walls. We tested whether a search firm could contribute to field-building—not just talent placement—and discovered the answer was a resounding yes.
Looking Inward: Growing Through a Changing World
As we supported clients, we were also evolving internally. We navigated the same seismic shifts that the world faced: a racial reckoning, a global pandemic, widening ideological divides, and a democracy still striving for full inclusion. We learned that discomfort, when rooted in shared values, can be a catalyst for growth.
We deepened our internal trust, celebrated TC promotions, expanded our ecosystems, and partnered with funder collaboratives, place-based initiatives, cross-disciplinary leaders, and nonprofits committed to pluralism. These relationships sharpened our practice and grounded our purpose.
As we tracked our progress, one metric related to both TC placements and clients stood out: retention.
- 76% of TC placements are still at their hiring institution over a span of six years.
- 60% of TC Placements remain in place since the firm’s founding.
- 75% of TC Projects are with repeat clients or in partnership with prior candidates and placements.
Fresh perspectives matter, but long-term success also depends on institutional cultures that foster trust, reflection, and inclusion. We aren’t just “matchmakers.” We align people, expectations, cultures, and aspirations.
Where We Are Now: The Collaborative Change Era
As a client- and candidate-centric firm, we celebrate wins alongside our partners and stay present through challenges. We’re proud to be recognized as a 2025 Top 3 boutique search firm by Women of Color in Philanthropy for our work partnering with female leaders of color. And we’re thrilled to expand our community of talent and communications consultants who support leadership transitions across the sector.
Today, in a time defined by disruption, disinformation, and division, we believe deeply that intentional search can advance common cause and collaborative change. We’re committed to using our positional power to bring fresh perspective, elevate shared purpose, and align people, organizations, resources, and ideas around a more inclusive, human-centered future.
This is our collaborative change era—and we’re just getting started.
As a learning organization, Talent Citizen would love to hear more about the goals and impact you envision for yourself and your organization. For a conversation to explore how we can be a resource for you, contact us and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.
We at Talent Citizen are proud of what we’ve built, deeply grateful to the partners who have grown with us, and excited about what’s ahead.