Diversified Search acquires Koya Leadership Partners

In a bid to create one of the larger executive search firms in the US, Philadelphia-based Diversified Search has acquired Newburyport, MA–based Koya Leadership Partners, a search firm which focuses on the non-profit and higher education sectors. The combined firm will clear $80 million in annual revenues.

Diversified Search provides executive recruitment services across industries, with a sizeable non-profit sector practice of its own. Koya will, however, retain its name and branding as a subsidiary. Koya’s eight US offices will join the nine US offices of Diversified Search.

The acquired firm prides itself on a specialization in “mission-driven” search; the company reports that one-third of its placed candidates are people of color, and two-thirds are women.

“We are thrilled to join with Diversified to re-imagine the impact a leading mission-driven executive search firm can have on our world. In addition to sharing a passion for client service, Diversified’s culture and values mirror Koya’s,” said Katie Bouton, Koya’s CEO and founder. “Joining our firms will enable us to offer our clients deeper and broader services that meet the needs of today’s employers and workforce. We are excited about the opportunity to expand our client service in the mission-driven field.”

As part of the acquisition, Bouton will become a president at Diversified Search, joining the firm’s leadership team.

Together, the joined firms create one of the nation’s larger non-profit and higher education recruitment practices. “We believe that Diversified and Koya together will create new and exciting models and opportunities in the higher education and nonprofit sectors,” added Dale Jones, CEO of Diversified Search. “We look forward to building a highly productive and innovative partnership.”

Both firms were among Forbes’ Best Executive Recruiting Firms in the US, with Diversified grabbing seventh place, and Koya ranking 24th. Industry heavyweights Korn Ferry and Heidrick & Struggles, meanwhile, took the top two spots.