About Heather
Heather leads the firm’s expansive Academic, Not-for-Profit, Social Enterprise, and Culture (ANSEC) Practice. Having completed over 500 searches, she is an expert in supporting committees through the process of leadership transition and truly loves the combination of head and heart involved in working with volunteer committees.
Working across North America, Heather focuses primarily on leadership roles in higher education (both academic and functional leadership roles), arts and culture organizations (including museums, art galleries, theatre companies, presenting houses, ballet companies, and festivals), social services, foundations, associations, healthcare, and government agencies. Heather is also a member of Caldwell’s Board & CEO; Data, Digital, and Technology Officers; and Life Sciences and Healthcare practices. In June 2022, Heather was named one of North America’s Top Academic Executive Recruiters and one of North America’s Top Not-For-Profit Executive Recruiters by Hunt Scanlon Media.
Experience
A founding member of Caldwell’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, Heather has been instrumental in the development of Caldwell’s inclusive search process. Her work with boards and committees and her research experience have earned her a reputation for careful listening and a passion for reaching a deep understanding of the organization and its culture.
Following an early career in academic publishing, Heather joined Caldwell from the Research Department of Dean Witter Reynolds (now Morgan Stanley).
Education
She is a graduate of Western University, and her professional development includes training in organizational behavior, unconscious bias, behavioral interviewing, psychometric assessment, and negotiation.
More About Heather
Heather served eight years on the board of The Arthritis Society (Ontario), including three years as Chair. Passionate about the performing arts, she is a Governors’ Council member of The Shaw Festival.
Recent Feedback
“Heather has an impressive keen eye for talent and her responsiveness and professionalism throughout the recruitment process was greatly appreciated. It was clear to us that she was committed to finding the right candidate and was always available to answer any questions or concerns we had along the way.” – Client feedback, Executive Director, Human Resources
“Heather has an uncanny ability to understand and synthesize what the disparate voices of senior staff and board members are saying they want in their next CEO. Being given the chance to hone in on what you find most important is a rare gift. You feel her commitment to your success in every email and every meeting.” – Noreen Taylor, Board Chair, SE Health
“Professional, thoughtful and timely partnership with the Caldwell team led to a very successful CEO selection process and result. Heather and Adam were excellent listeners and used their extensive experience to guide us and their deep contacts to bring us impressive candidates for consideration.” – David Guscott, Chair, Governance & HR Committee, Technical Safety BC
“Unparalleled customer care, professionalism and people placement – for culture and competency. What more can you ask? Heather Ring is among the best in the biz, with strategy and smile, barely showing a bead of sweat.” – CEO, Greater Toronto region not-for-profit organization
“We received very professional, great service. We were led and guided through the recruitment process well, challenged when we needed it, provided guidance as appropriate but also let us work through the process as a team. Most importantly Kelly and Heather provided us a great pool of candidates.” – Chair, CURIE (Canadian Universities Reciprocal Insurance Exchange)
