Cook Silverman Search

Cook Silverman Search is a retained executive search firm that works only with nonprofits. Based in San Francisco, it was formed by long-time colleagues Pamela Cook and Victoria Silverman and has recently marked ten years of recruiting leaders for mission-driven organisations.

What Cook Silverman Search offers

• Executive search: retained searches for chief executives and other senior nonprofit posts.
• Fundraising and advancement hires: development, advancement and major gifts leadership.
• Marketing, communications and finance roles: senior specialists for nonprofit teams.
• Candidate assessment: screening and interviewing led by people who have held these roles themselves.

Who it serves

Clients include independent schools, universities, conservation and environmental groups, health care, social service and social justice bodies, museums, science and animal welfare organisations, faith-based groups and the arts.

Key facts

• Based in: San Francisco
• Founders: Pamela Cook and Victoria Silverman
• Track record: more than 550 searches completed
• Experience: team members have served as nonprofit executive directors and development directors
• Recognition: listed in Hunt Scanlon search-firm rankings for 2023 to 2025