Michelle Bonoan
Education & Non-Profit Practice Leader
GK&A clients rely on executive search consultant Michelle Bonoan for her resourcefulness, resilience, creative instincts, and how she applies all of these talents to strategizing, especially for education and non-profit clients. She consistently applies the highest work standards, innovative thought, and effective methods of communication to ensure complete, ongoing client satisfaction.
As a senior member of the firm and skilled expert in client management and business development, Ms. Bonoan has both led and executed executive search assignments nationwide. Through this work, she has developed an astute understanding of contemporary corporate, education, and non-profit organizations, gaining an in-depth knowledge of the dynamics of the recruiting marketplace as a whole.
Initially a search generalist, Ms. Bonoan has served GK&A clients across a wide range of industries and functions. She has significant experience in entertainment, technology, consumer products, pharmaceuticals/biotech, financial services, manufacturing, and natural resources. During her tenure, she has successfully completed executive-level searches for senior management, finance, marketing, human resources, and public relations positions.
After expanding her depth of expertise from generalist to education and non-profit specialist, Ms. Bonoan quickly became an invaluable asset to the firm in these areas. She has conducted searches for executives at the highest tiers, including: president/CEO, executive director, chief financial officer, fundraising leadership, program management, and a wide range of other key positions. Her clients encompass major non-profit organizations dedicated to education, social services, arts and culture, children and family services, environment, and health-related issues, as well as prominent educational institutions such as research universities, small liberal arts colleges, and independent college preparatory schools.
Having fine-tuned her skills through years of successful search assignments, clients continue to benefit from her ability to comprehend their needs, and provide counsel throughout the search process. She brings to GK&A a passion for her work, high energy, and a natural ability to relate to others, essential advantages both to the firm and its clientele.
Ms. Bonoan began her tenure with Gary Kaplan & Associates in 1996. Prior to joining the firm, she managed an on-site training program for a Fortune 500 manufacturing company. Subsequently, she held positions of increasing responsibility in sales and marketing with a major Los Angeles-based petroleum equipment distributor. Ms. Bonoan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management from California State University, Northridge.