Stanton Chase Names North America Practice Leader for Diversity & Inclusion

Becky Heidesch, a career executive search professional, has joined Stanton Chase as a Director and North American Diversity & Inclusion Practice Leader.

 

The announcement was made by Daniel Casteel, Managing Director of the Nashville office and Vice President of North America. Stanton Chase is a global retained executive search firm with more than 70 offices in 45 countries.

 

In this capacity, Heidesch will work with all of the North American offices focusing on senior-level women and diverse executive placements. In addition to her practice group specializations in financial services, technology and consumer products, she brings a wealth of experience from the sports, entertainment and higher education industries.

 

“It is a distinct pleasure to have Becky join Stanton Chase,” said Casteel. “Stanton Chase is an advocate for Diversity & Inclusion. As we support our clients, it is important to have diversity in the C-suite and on boards. We have found Diversity & Inclusion initiatives give our clients a competitive edge as they move into domestic and international markets. Becky’s experience will be a great asset to Stanton Chase as we continue to identify and introduce executives who are leading our client companies into the future.”

 

Heidesch was the founder & CEO of WSS Executive Search, a women and diversity owned executive search firm.  During the past decade, Heidesch built WSS Executive Search into a nationally recognized firm that places senior-level talent across multiple industries with a strong specialty in financial services, banking, technology, consumer products and sports.  Heidesch and her team have completed search assignments with many of the nation’s Fortune 500 companies and extending into private industry and non-profit sectors.

 

A female entrepreneur for over 20 years prior to search, Heidesch founded several women and diverse-related businesses including a women’s sports marketing agency, which published the Women’s Sports Wire.  Heidesch and her team also launched two diversity related online career centers.  Her unique career path has encompassed a variety of roles spanning higher education, sports marketing, consumer product goods, human resources, and eventually executive search.

 

In addition to her search work, she has been a consultant for a variety of large corporations and received national recognition as a resource and speaker.  She was also the head coach of an NCAA No. 1 nationally ranked fast-pitch softball team that was one win shy of advancing to the NCAA championship game, a past recognition she credits to the outstanding athletes on the field.  She holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Concordia University and Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

 

“I’m excited and honored to be joining Stanton Chase in this capacity, said Heidesch.  “Stanton Chase is an innovative and progressive organization.  I am very impressed with the leadership and the top tier industry consultants.  I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues.  The entrepreneurial and boutique nature of the global offices is a perfect platform for us to continue to lead the way in this important work.  Our goal will be to expand our Diversity & Inclusion efforts in all of the practice groups, both in North America and globally.”

 

“Diversity & Inclusion has been a business imperative at Stanton Chase for many years,” said Mickey Matthews, Stanton Chase Chairman and Managing Director of the Baltimore office. “There are many ceilings still to break and that is why the addition of Becky Heidesch is a game-changer for us. She understands this issue from multi-generational, market and cultural sensitivity perspectives. Becky seamlessly relates to her clients and helps them meet these challenges.”