Sara Swisher-Anderson

Sara Swisher-Anderson is an accomplished executive search professional and human capital expert with more than 15 years’ experience and a strong track record of successful searches. Specializing in the non-profit and higher education sectors, she partners with leadership teams to develop strategies and recruit transformative leaders capable of driving organizational growth and resilience.

Professional Focus

Over 15 years’ experience in talent acquisition, executive search and recruitment
Specialized expertise in non-profit and higher education, with additional expertise in financial services, and legal, risk & compliance
Track record of successful searches for C-suite executives, managing directors, and other senior leaders
Broad human capital expertise including talent identification and acquisition, executive coaching, culture, change management, HR operations, employer branding, team development and training
Highly skilled in recruitment strategy, relationship management, talent pipeline development, project management, market research and analysis, DEI best practices, negotiation and onboarding
Proficient in advanced sourcing techniques and technologies such as recruitment databases and networks, applicant tracking systems, talent market mapping, competency assessment and learning & development tools

Business Expertise

Executive Search Recruiter & Consultant at another leading global executive search and leadership consulting firm, New York; promoted from Senior Associate
Executive Search Recruiter & Senior Associate at a global executive search and consulting firm, New York; focused on higher education and non-profits
HR Consultant to The Marshall Project non-profit news organization, New York; guided hiring and project management during COVID-19
Executive Search Senior Consultant at a global executive search firm specializing in the non-profit sector, New York; focused on senior-level fundraising executives; promoted from Consultant role
Chief Operations Officer at American Technion Society, an international non-profit organization, New York; oversaw executive search, HR/talent strategy, and organizational change management; promoted from Chief of Staff role

Chief of Staff/Executive Assistant at Columbia University, Office of Alumni & Development, New York; managed executive search process for recruitment of senior fundraising executives
Executive Assistant to Chairman & Co-Founder at consulting firm Innosight, founded by Harvard Business School Professor Clayton M. Christensen, Boston
Program Director at IntraMed Educational Group, New York

Additional Expertise

Social Impact
Not-for-Profit
Higher Education
Financial Services
Legal, Risk & Compliance
Asset Management & Alternatives
Payments
Banking

Areas of Expertise

Education & Certifications

Bachelor’s degree from University of Nebraska at Omaha
Mindset Advantage Certification, Matthew Syed Consulting
Maximizing Creative Leadership Certificate, CCL
Insights into Innovation Certificate, IDEO-U

Boston

75 Arlington Street
Suite 5000
Boston
United States

Case Studies

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Strategic Turnaround: A CFO’s Role in Rebuilding Culture and Financial Leadership

Boyden supports a major charter school network with the recruitment of the right CFO to bridge strategy, execution, and collaboration.

Strategic Leadership in Crisis: Elevating Communications and Protecting Reputation

Amid a politically sensitive crisis, our client, a major social impact organization, faced significant reputational risks. Lacking a Head of Public & Government Affairs for over three years, they turned to Boyden for urgent strategic communications leadership.

Strengthening Advancement Capacity and Culture Through a Long-Term Search Partnership

With Boyden’s support, Loyola Marymount University built a high-performing advancement team by filling 15 key fundraising roles over five years, strengthening collaboration, continuity, and campaign readiness.

Thought Leadership

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Boyden Report Series

As social impact organisations stir our conscience, where does your organisation stand?

Social Impact Report: Analysing the trends and companies reshaping the role of enterprise in society, with expert insights from Boyden's Global Social Impact Practice Members