What went into the nationwide search for NJDA's next CEO?
(pictured is Reva Brennan with the Board of Trustees on Jan 3, 2023)
NJDA recently announced that Revira (Reva) Brennan has been named the organization's new CEO and will begin work on February 13. What goes into a nationwide search like this? Let’s take a look at the process from the beginning.
"The Board of Trustees began the task of seeking the NJDA’s next leader about a year ago," said NJDA President and Chair of the Search Committee Dr. Peter DeSciscio.
The first step the Board took was deciding to seek the services of a professional search firm. After interviewing three firms, the Search Committee unanimously recommended that we partner with Megan Lewis, Principal, and Carolyn Roche, Senior Associate, at Kittleman & Associates. In May, the Board voted unanimously to approve that recommendation.
"After the Board contracted with Kittleman, Megan immediately got to work understanding what the position entailed and what type of leader we wanted," added Dr. DeSciscio. Megan interviewed each member of the Search Committee, other key stakeholders, and all members of the senior staff, including outgoing Executive Director Art Meisel. This research led to the development of a Position Guide and Candidate Profile.
With NJDA's needs finalized, the search went live on August 31, 2022. Kittleman & Associates posted the position on their website as well as other nonprofit leadership job boards. The search was promoted via Kittleman and personal social media outlets. Candidate cultivation was conducted through outreach in the form of over 300 personalized emails to nonprofit leaders in the association and nonprofit communities and through contacting Kittleman’s best sources.
Ultimately, forty-nine applications were received with interest expressed from around the country.
"Obviously our goal was to find the best person to lead our Association - not just the best person in dentistry or the best in New Jersey," said Dr. DeSciscio. "We were happy that the position attracted a large pool of qualified candidates from a variety of industries and locations."
The Search Committee initially reviewed seven candidates at the Candidate Credential Review meeting on October 26. At that meeting, the Search Committee identified six candidates to invite for first-round interviews. Those interviews were hosted on November 9 and 11 via Zoom. The Search Committee invited the top three remaining candidates for second-round interviews.
On November 29, the Search Committee met in person with each of the final three candidates. The Search Committee unanimously selected Revira (Reva) Brennan as the final candidate to recommend to the Board for approval.
"Reva stood out because of her impeccable credentials and track record of success in association management," added DeSciscio. "It was a nice bonus that her experience includes 9 years at a state dental association (South Carolina)."
On January 3, the Board of Trustees held a special meeting at NJDA Headquarters to meet Brennan and hold a vote. She was officially approved as the next NJDA Chief Executive Officer that night.