A search for the new leader of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation is underway, and executives say candidates from within and outside the organization will be vetted and reviewed. A national search will be led by the firm Spencer Stuart, a world leader in executive searches, along with a committee made up of Gulf Coast Board of Directors members. “It is important that we conduct a thorough search to find the right leader to advance Gulf Coast’s vital and growing philanthropic work in our region,” said Gulf Coast Board Chair Ben Hanan.  “Our community, our donors and our nonprofit partners can count on us for that.”

Teri Hansen, retiring CEO of Gulf Coast, said more than one sound candidate for the job could come from within the organization, but whether a new leader comes from inside the foundation or from across the country, a competent staff is in place to make sure there is no lapse in momentum or efforts on the part of Gulf Coast as an organization. “There are no bounds on this search,” said Hansen. Spencer Stuart will both conduct head-hunting efforts and vet unsolicited candidates; resumes may be sent to gulfcoast@spencerstuart.com.

Hansen herself previously worked as vice president of gift planning and donor relations at the Cleveland Foundation before heading Gulf Coast, and also previously served as chief executive of a smaller community foundation in Indiana. Hansen’s own criteria for this job are simple: “For this particular position, most important is the ability to adapt to our culture, and to provide leadership to the board and the staff, then basically get out of staff’s way.”

Hansen announced in March that she would leave Gulf Coast on June 30 to become the president and CEO of the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation.