Meet Michele

Michele Counter is a leading provider of retained executive search and strategic consulting to a range of nonprofit organizations throughout the US. With 25+ years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Michele's expertise includes senior executive search, Board governance, visioning and strategic planning, business opportunity analysis and financial modeling, succession/transition planning, and nonprofit executive compensation. She is dedicated to supporting nonprofit clients in achieving their missions and driving positive change in their communities.

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After beginning her consulting career in the Nonprofit Practice at A.T. Kearney in New York, NY, she joined the Nonprofit Practice at DHR Global in 2001.  At DHR, she helped launch  the firm’s first nonprofit-focused specialty group and served the firm's nonprofit clients for 15 years.

 

In 2016, Michele was recruited by Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF International), a $200 million national nonprofit and a long-time client, to the newly-created role of National Director, Talent Acquisition. At Breakthrough T1D, she built a Talent Acquisition team and oversaw recruitment strategies and programs across all functions. 

 

Michele returned to DHR in 2021 and now also works with DHR’s Leadership Consulting group on projects concerning strategy, business planning, governance, and executive compensation in the nonprofit sector.

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For Michele, developing a partnership with clients means that she invests the time to fully understand each client’s needs, culture, opportunities, and challenges. Working with Board Committees or senior leaders, she develops aspirational and creative strategies to attract the organization’s future long-term leader. Her approach is based on honesty, diligence, communication, inclusion, and treating everyone in the search process - - clients, candidates and networking contacts - - with respect and care.

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Michele earned an MBA and an MA in Arts Administration from Southern Methodist University and a BA in Art History from Duke University.