About Us
About Us
Dedicated to Strengthening Nonprofit Leadership, Charity Search Group is driven by a passion for helping nonprofits succeed through strong leadership. Our team combines deep expertise with a commitment to mission alignment, ensuring every placement is a perfect fit.
Vision
A world where every nonprofit has the confidence to attract and retain exceptional individuals who advance their mission and foster meaningful, lasting change.
Mission
To champion diversity and mission alignment, by leveraging our unparalleled expertise, extensive network, and proven candidate screening process to connect nonprofits with the skilled talent they need to transform the world.
Clients
Placements
Completion Rate
Retention Rate
Values
Integrity
We believe in always doing the right thing, staying honest, and being transparent in everything we do. Trust is built through actions, and we’re committed to earning it every day.
Ambition
We’re driven by big goals. Our determination to make an impact keeps us pushing forward, always looking for better ways to serve nonprofits and their missions.
Collaboration
We work together with others, knowing that teamwork makes us stronger. Open communication and partnership help us achieve great things.
Inclusion
We value diversity and ensure everyone feels seen, heard, and respected. We believe in creating spaces where all voices matter.
Our team is our Superpower
Mariya Yurukova, MBA, CFRE
Co-Founder, President & CEO, Bethesda, MD
Husani Bastien, MIS
Co-Founder & COO, Bethesda, MD
Tanya Henry
VP, Client Relations
Orlisha Fox
Senior Search Consultant, D.C.
Rae Gallagher
Senior Search Consultant
Kelly Stevens
Senior Search Consultant
Kelly MacKenzie
Talent Recruitment Manager
Jennifer Heiss
Succession Planning Consultant
Mariya (Maria) Yurukova
Mariya has a rich background in fundraising, having managed various fundraising programs throughout her career. With over $20 million raised for the organizations she has represented, Mariya has a proven track record of success in growing fundraising portfolios through a wide range of fundraising programs. Her fundraising style is authentic, open, and strategic, which also reflects their approach to recruitment.
As an executive recruiter, Mariya is dedicated to identifying the best fit for organizations of all sizes and candidates with varying levels of skill and experience. With a deep understanding of non-profit management, Mariya collaborates closely with boards and hiring managers to identify the most suitable candidates for success. Having developed an extensive network of professionals across North America, Mariya takes the time to get to know each candidate and their career aspirations to ensure the best possible cultural fit. Mariya has worked with a broad range of organizations looking to transition leadership, with a particular focus on small and medium sized nonprofits.
Mariya’s educational background includes a B.A. in Psychology and an MBA with a concentration in Marketing, both obtained from Brock University. Additionally, she holds a Certified Fundraising Executive designation and is an active member of AFP, CCAE, and CASE. Mariya enjoys presenting at conferences and mentoring fundraisers as part of their ongoing commitment to the fundraising profession. Her speaking engagements and publications include: Currents Magazine, Foundations Magazine, Advancing Philanthropy, Hilborn Publications, and many more.
Husani Bastien
Husani is the co-founder of the non-profit the Centre for Human Success. He is a graduate of Sidwell Friends and George Washington University with a Masters in Information Systems. At the National Medical Association (NMA) he helped organize, manage/create events and recruited fundraisers. He has volunteered extensively at the Children’s Inn at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda. Husani has been involved with multiple volunteer groups in the community. He is also the founder of several startups including A2Digital and 321 AppLabs. At Charity Search Group, he manages the day-to-day operations and the technical aspects of the firm. His entrepreneurial spirit and an eye for innovation create amazing solutions to maximize our talent outreach capabilities.
Tanya Henry
As Vice President of Client Engagement at Charity Search Group, Tanya Henry leads some of the firm’s most complex and high-impact executive searches and leadership transitions. She partners closely with nonprofit boards and senior leadership teams to design thoughtful, equity-centered search strategies that align talent with mission, culture, and long-term organizational goals.
Tanya brings deep expertise in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and organizational development. Known for her strategic insight and collaborative approach, she guides clients through every stage of the search process—from stakeholder engagement and candidate cultivation to finalist selection and successful onboarding. Her steady leadership and strong relationship-building skills ensure that even the most sensitive and multifaceted searches are managed with clarity, professionalism, and care.
With a career rooted in advancing mission-driven organizations, Tanya understands the critical importance of finding leaders who can navigate change, inspire teams, and drive sustainable impact. Her commitment to excellence, transparency, and inclusive hiring practices has made her a trusted partner to nonprofits across the country.
Orlisha Fox
Orlisha Fox has over a decade of fundraising experience working for various non-profit and government agencies specializing in workforce development and social services programs. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive with her Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in Government and Policy, and two certifications in both Non-Profit Management and Professional Fundraising. Orlisha has extensive experience developing donor and partner relations programs, campaign management, strategic development initiatives for sustainable funding and retention analysis. Additionally, she has experience in public policy research, strategy and advocacy on local, state and federal levels. Orlisha previously served as the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the AFP Maryland Chapter from 2019-2021. She is an advocate for D & I research, practice and implementation with a passion for equity and social justice. She is excited to return as a Senior Search Consultant!
Rae Gallagher
Rae is a community-focused nonprofit professional based in Maryland, with a 20-year background in youth development, education, and mission-driven leadership. Throughout her career, Rae has worked across nonprofit and school-based settings, supporting programs that center social-emotional learning, physical activity, and equity for young people – particularly girls and young women. Rae holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in public administration with a focus on nonprofit management. Rae has served on the leadership team for the Board of Education in Frederick County, MD, and on multiple nonprofit boards, as well as statewide advisory councils focused on increasing equity and student achievement. Rae is an active member of the Key City Rotary and serves as a volunteer mentor for young professionals.
With a background in program development, partnership building, volunteer engagement, and fundraising, Rae helps nonprofits strengthen capacity and increase sustainability. She prioritizes collaborative leadership, data-informed strategies, and community-responsive solutions.
Kelly Stevens
As an organizational strategist with over 18 years of experience, Kelly brings a deep understanding of how people, systems, and culture shape organizational impact. Her collaborative, coaching-oriented approach is grounded in the belief that lasting change is most effective when leaders and teams are supported to identify, own, and implement solutions that align with their values and needs. She brings this same perspective to talent acquisition, supporting mission-driven teams in identifying and attracting the people who can help move their work forward.
Previously, Kelly served as Director of Capacity Building and Leadership Development at AIDS United, a national HIV advocacy and grantmaking organization, where she supported HIV, harm reduction, and social justice nonprofits and FQHCs across the United States. She also brings extensive governance experience, having served for six years on the board of HIPS, a Washington, DC–based sex worker advocacy and harm reduction organization, including three years as board chair, where she developed deep expertise in leadership transitions and values-aligned decision making.
Kelly holds a master’s degree in organizational development with a concentration in organizational psychology and is the founder of Zahara Consulting, a strategy design and program management firm.
Kelly MacKenzie
Throughout my career, I have worked with a multitude of international partners and clients, including non-profit organizations in New York City. My experience includes collaborating on initiatives and programs to improve organizational efficiencies.
I pride myself on my ability to match clients with the right candidates and believe communication is critical to building successful relationships.
My educational background includes a BBA in Marketing from St. Francis Xavier University and a Management Certificate in Human Resources from the University of Calgary.
I am thrilled to be joining a talented group of individuals who make matching talented people with important causes their top priority.
Jennifer Amoroso Heiss, MBA, LSSBB
Jennifer is a succession planning consultant with more than 15 years of experience in operational leadership, strategic planning, and organizational effectiveness across nonprofit and institutional environments. She serves on the Board of SPLASH Classroom in Lambertville, New Jersey, and brings a systems-oriented, mission-centered approach to leadership transitions.
Partnering primarily with mission-driven nonprofit organizations, Jennifer works with boards and senior leaders to assess leadership needs, align succession plans with organizational strategy, and support thoughtful, well-managed leadership transitions. Her approach emphasizes clarity, stakeholder engagement, and practical planning to ensure continuity and long-term organizational stability.
Download our 5 Certified Nonprofit
Hiring Tips to Attract the Best Executive Directors