Three Questions With: Julio Suárez, Managing Director, DRiWaterstone Human Capital
Meet DRiWaterstone’s senior team! This week, we’re sitting down with Managing Director, Julio Suárez, to find out, in his own words, what drives him and why DRiWaterstone is one of North America’s top executive search firms for the non-profit, philanthropic, and social impact sectors.
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DRiWaterstone Human Capital (DRiW): How do you describe what DRiWaterstone does?
Julio Suárez (JS): We are an executive search firm dedicated to helping mission and purpose-driven organizations build high performance teams. We do this by matching our non-profit, philanthropic, and corporate social responsibilitiy (CSR) clients with experienced leaders who are passionate about making a positive impact in the community and environment.
DRiW: What surprises people most about working with DRiWaterstone?
JS: That all the leaders within our team have come from the non-profit, philanthropic, or CSR fields. That means that we are familiar with the opportunities and challenges that they face, because we come from similar organizations.
Something else that surprises them is the wide range of mission and purpose-driven organizations that we’ve supported across the country, including foundations, associations, think tanks, healthcare, arts and culture organizations, human service agencies, higher education, and public media.
DRiW: Why should mission and purpose-driven organizations consider working with a firm like DRiWaterstone to fill their leadership roles?
JS: Because we can help streamline your search process and help save you and your team time and resources. Rather than you having to filter through hundreds of applications and resumes, our team can do that and we’ll do it through the lens of what’s important to your team and to your organization and its culture. In addition, because of our years of experience, our professional networks, and the tools that we use, we can cast a wide net that’s still targeted. We will only bring you leaders that match your qualifications and who are just as driven as you are about making an impact. And we’re here to help right through the offer and onboarding.
At DRiWaterstone, we work with mission and purpose-driven organizations across the U.S. to help them build mission and purpose driven teams. We’d love the chance to work with you – reach out today and book a meeting with our team and find out how we can help.
Meet DRiWaterstone’s senior team! This week, we’re continuing our conversation with Managing Director Julio Suárez about what drives him and why DRiWaterstone is one of North America’s top executive search firms for the non-profit, philanthropic, and social impact sectors.
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DRiWaterstone Human Capital (DRiW): How do you describe your role at DRiWaterstone?
Julio Suárez (JS): I lead DRiWaterstone’s social impact business, which focuses on helping clients that are foundations, social enterprises, or corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ESG teams embedded within private businesses.
I leverage my experience running foundations and CSR programs to help clients determine the skill sets they need to add to their teams to grow, meet their goals, and drive impact. I also leverage the professional network I’ve built in these sectors to help find high-performance leaders for our clients working across the sector.
DRiW: How does your background in the non-profit/social impact sector influence your approach to executive search?
JS: I bring 17 years of experience in the philanthropic, CSR, and DEI fields. I’ve led two corporate foundations, including the Anheuser-Busch and Darden Restaurants Foundation. I also led several CSR and ESG initiatives such as cause marketing partnerships, workplace giving and volunteering programs, established and supported Employee Resource Groups, and led an employee disaster relief fund.
So, when I am meeting with clients, I understand their priorities and challenges. I’ve been there. I’ve worked in similar organizations that are just as committed to driving an impact. I understand the responsibilities and challenges of running a foundation. I also understand the complexities and potential opportunities that come with running CSR, ESG, and DEIB programs – I understand what it means to have to work with so many people and departments across an organization and to have to get them to buy into your program and ultimately become champions, even when it is not their responsibility. The work is not easy, but it is very rewarding, and I understand that because I’ve been there.
DRiW: What do you want candidates to know about working in the non-profit/social enterprise space?
JS: Everyone can make a positive impact in the community and on the environment. You don’t have to have a fancy title to make a positive impact. Also, non-profits, foundations, and ESG/CSR teams all have objectives. To reach these goals, they need talented and experienced people who can serve as leaders within their organizations. Leaders who have the skillset, the know-how, and the commitment to the mission. If you are a passionate, talented, purpose-driven person, there is a lot of potential for you in this sector.
-- At DRiWaterstone, we work with mission and purpose-driven organizations across the U.S. to help them build mission and purpose-driven teams. We’d love the chance to work with you – reach out today and book a meeting with our team and find out how we can help.
