Press Release
Chatham University Names New Vice President of Advancement
Boyden is pleased to share the appointment news of Michael E. Braxton, a recruitment co-led by Wendy Wilsker and Holly Wolk
Dan Valenti
Senior Advisor, United States
Dan Valenti is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience, including global business unit CEO and other senior roles at Fortune 500 companies. He brings a blend of strategic, commercial, and operational depth shaped by leading large product‑driven businesses. In growth and turnaround environments, he drives tangible improvement and fosters engaged, execution-focused teams.
Professional Focus
- More than 25 years’ leadership experience, including senior executive roles in operations, product management, and sales & marketing at Fortune 500 companies
- Proven track record of leadership in diverse business contexts, including large‑scale growth initiatives, complex transformations, and performance turnarounds
- Extensive experience in consumer and residential markets, spanning product‑driven industries, global manufacturing environments, and branded consumer and residential solutions
- Global leadership experience overseeing multi‑region operations, large matrixed organizations, and high‑performing teams across functions and geographies
Business Expertise
- Executive Vice President and President, North America at global building products manufacturer JELD-WEN; promoted from Executive Vice President, North America Doors and Distribution
- Senior Vice President and General Manager - KitchenAid Small Appliances at Whirlpool Corporation; led major turnaround as global business unit CEO; prior roles included Vice President Sales - Retail and Builder Channel, General Manager - Cooking, Senior Director Category Merchandising - Refrigeration, and Senior Director Product Development - Dishwashers
- Director of Marketing - New Business Development and Licensing at Stanley Black & Decker (Black & Decker and The Stanley Works prior to 2010 merger); prior roles included Group Channel Manager - Power Tools & Accessories, Group Product Manager - Automotive & Electronics, Senior Product Manager - Cordless Power Tools, and Channel Manager - Outdoor Products
Additional Expertise
- P&L Leadership
- Consumer Products
- Durables & Home Improvement
- Industrial Goods
- Retail - Brick & Mortar and eCommerce
- Sales & Marketing
- Product Development
- Transformation & Turnaround
- Performance Improvement
- Large Scale People Leadership
Education & Certifications
- BSBA (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration) from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Case Studies
View All
Building Leadership Capacity for a High-Growth Defense Services Company
Boyden partners with a second-generation, family-owned defense services company to appoint a Vice President of Human Resources, strengthening leadership infrastructure and supporting the organization's growth toward $200 million in revenue.
Navigating the Nuances of Philanthropic Leadership: The Search for a Major Gifts Officer
Through a highly targeted, relationship-based search, Boyden successfully identified a Major Gifts Officer whose fundraising approach, mission alignment, and donor engagement style matched the organization's long-term philanthropic goals.
A Time-Critical CFO Hire for a Scaling, PE-Backed Manufacturer
Boyden partnered with a private equity-backed leader in automated test systems to execute a Partner-led search with disciplined assessment and rapid momentum, identifying a finalist within two weeks and closing the mandate within 60 days.
Thought Leadership
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Articles & Papers
Navigating Uncertainty: Private Equity's Next Phase of Value Creation
In this edition of Navigating Uncertainty, explore how private equity's continued evolution is redefining operational leadership, talent, and value creation, while AI accelerates the next phase of transformation.
Blog
Private Company Boards Then and Now: From Bodies of Representation to Engines of Strategic Capability
Private company boards have moved from relationship‑based oversight to capability‑driven leadership, responding to the demands of faster, more complex operating environments.
Newsletter
The CFO Leadership Lens
Expert insights directly from Boyden’s Financial Officers Practice
Q2 2026 Edition
Blog
The High-Stakes Season of Hiring
A clear-eyed look at today’s nonprofit hiring landscape, where heightened risk, talent shortages, and cautious candidates are reshaping how organizations approach retention, recruitment, and long-term workforce strategy.
Media
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Why Grit Is Killing Your High Performers And What Elite Teams Do Instead | Dr. Amy Athey
Podcast
Executive Search Insights: How CPG & Retail Companies Find the Right Leaders
Podcast
Boyden CEO Chad Hesters Joins Dr. Amy Athey on the Still Evolving Podcast
Podcast
Boyden CEO Chad Hesters Joins Candice Bourne on 'The Journey of a Search CEO' Podcast
Podcast
News & Events
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Event
How Boards Select New Directors - A BlueSteps Webinar featuring Boyden's Karen Kosiba Edwards
In the Media
McDonald’s Just Promoted an Insider to Fix Falling Foot Traffic. Experts Say the Real Test Is Much More Complicated.
Boyden’s Issy Perez says Skye Anderson’s success at McDonald’s will depend less on her operational expertise and more on her ability to challenge the company’s existing playbook amid falling traffic.
Contact Dan Valenti today and let's get started