Leaders Shape Missions. Missions Shape the World.
At Noetic, we connect mission-driven organizations with executives who can carry their vision forward. Our story, values, and culture all begin with a simple belief: people first—always.
Our Story.
Noetic was founded on the belief that nonprofits deserve access to the highest caliber of search consultants available to them. From day one, we’ve focused exclusively on mission-driven organizations, helping to find leaders who bring both skill and heart to their work while impacting the future of the communities they serve.
The name Noetic speaks to our approach. It means relating to insight, intellect, and deeper ways of knowing. Some might call it intuition. For us, it’s the blend of experience and discernment that leads to lasting matches between leaders and missions.
Our Guiding Principles.
Our guiding principles define how we show up—for clients, candidates, and each other.
Human First. We listen deeply and connect people in ways that feel natural and true.
Excellence Always. High standards are the baseline, not the aspiration.
Personal Touch. We’re candid, responsive, and committed to earning trust.
Steadfast Partners. We stay with you through the process, no matter how complex.
Empower Potential. When the right leader steps in, the mission advances and its impact becomes transformational.
The Noetic Difference.
Every search is personal—to our clients and to us. What makes Noetic different isn’t just how we search—it’s how we partner: with clarity, care, and a commitment to excellence.
Senior-led, always. The team you meet is the one guiding your search from first call to final offer.
Tailored, not templated. Every organization has a unique mission and culture—we design the search around both.
Judgment meets technology. Research informs us. Experience refines us.
Midwest roots, national reach. Approachable, grounded, and well-connected across the country.
Our Process.
Every organization is different, and we believe every search should be too. From the first conversation through onboarding your new leader, we make sure the journey is clear and respectful of your time.
And because placement is only the beginning, we keep in regular touch after the placement to ensure the transition is on track and the partnership is thriving.
Our Culture & Commitment to Diversity.
At Noetic, our dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) is deeply woven into the fabric of our executive search practice. It reflects our fundamental belief that diverse leadership is essential for organizational excellence and social impact.
Our evaluation process acknowledges and values both traditional and non-traditional paths to leadership. We assess candidates through an equity lens that recognizes diverse forms of expertise, including community-based leadership, lived experience, and non-traditional career trajectories. Our interview style creates space for candidates to share their complete professional narrative authentically.
We view our role as more than just finding talented leaders – we seek to be true partners in advancing equity through leadership selection. Our DEIB commitment ensures we deliver a search process aligned with your values and mission, identifying leaders who can advance your impactful work with authenticity and effectiveness.
Since 2021, 21% of the CEO/Executive Director placements were people of color, and the average diversity of the candidate pools was 34%.
Meet Your Team. Partners, From Start to Finish.
At Noetic, you work directly with experienced search leaders—not passed along to layers of junior staff. Each of us brings years of search expertise and a genuine dedication to the organizations we serve.
We listen. We advise. We champion your goals until the right leader is in place. That’s the Noetic promise, and it’s why clients return to us again and again.
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Rhyan Zweifler
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT
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Bridget Verdun
SEARCH CONSULTANT
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Kiratiana Freelon
SEARCH CONSULTANT
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Debbie Levin
SEARCH ASSOCIATE
