Strong organizations never stand still. We’re moving into 2026 with a full roster of people and a lot to celebrate. 

BoardWalk Consulting continues to grow and evolve, and with that growth come thoughtful changes we're excited to share. From welcoming exceptional new talent to celebrating the meaningful transitions of trusted team members, every evolution has been guided by a single purpose: serving you with excellence.

Whether you've walked alongside us for years or are just beginning your partnership with us, these changes underscore our deep commitment to advancing the missions of nonprofits and foundations, bringing you insightful thinking, dedicated people, and the kind of partnership that truly moves the needle in finding leaders that matter for missions that matter.®

Crystal Stephens

CEO and Managing Director

New Additions

We are genuinely excited to introduce the newest members of our team, chosen not just for their skills, but for who they are and what they care about. We are delighted to have them with us.

Sarah Gaines, Director



Sarah joined BoardWalk this year as a Director, bringing nearly two decades of nonprofit leadership experience spanning fundraising, marketing, and program development across education, museum, and social service sectors.

Before BoardWalk, she founded and led JUNE Partners, a retained executive search firm focused on colleges, universities, academic medical centers, and nonprofits, partnering with boards and senior leadership teams to identify mission-aligned talent. Her direct experience advising nonprofit boards during periods of transition informs her holistic approach to search.

Outside of work, Sarah enjoys reading, exploring new places, and spending time with her husband and their two college-aged daughters.  

Demeika Wheaton, Director



Demeika joined BoardWalk this year as a Director, bringing more than 25 years of experience helping mission-driven organizations strengthen their leadership and impact. She partners with nonprofits in health equity, youth development, education, the arts, and social justice—sectors where her deep subject-matter expertise makes her a trusted advisor.

Before BoardWalk, she served as Senior Vice President and Market Lead at Porter Novelli, where she led integrated teams and advised nonprofit, government, and corporate clients.

Demeika is passionate about developing the next generation of leaders and designing strategies that drive meaningful change for women, youth, and communities.  

A Well-Earned Promotion

Growth at BoardWalk isn't only about who joins us, it's about the people already here rising to meet new challenges. We're proud to celebrate a colleague whose talent and dedication have earned her a new chapter within our team.

Terri Kohan, Senior Consultant

We’re overjoyed to announce that Terri Kohan, previously a Senior Associate in our Recruitment and Research team, has transitioned into a Senior Consultant hybrid role, where she will lead C-suite and leadership searches for our clients and continue to support searches through research and recruitment.

Terri brings over 30 years of retained executive search experience across domestic and international markets. Before joining BoardWalk, she previously ran her own search practice and began her career as Director of Research at The Consulting Group, a global boutique firm, where she focused on investment banking, real estate, and professional services.

Terri resides in Rhode Island with her husband and an impressive collection of orchids and tropical plants. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, travel, and time with family.

With Gratitude

Behind every strong organization are the people who gave it meaning. We close this update by honoring two colleagues whose contributions have shaped BoardWalk in lasting ways, and who now step into well-deserved next chapters.

Kathy Bremer, Senior Advisor



Kathy joined BoardWalk in 2007 as Managing Director and, after 18 years of leading executive searches, is transitioning to Senior Advisor. She has led CEO searches for clients including ADL, The Carter Center, CDC Foundation, League of Women Voters, and Common Cause, and will continue to represent BoardWalk in the community. 



Before BoardWalk, Kathy served as General Manager of Porter Novelli Atlanta and Senior Vice President at CARE. She began her career as a journalist in Tokyo before joining three New York ad agencies, where her team helped propel Folgers to the number one coffee in America. She and her husband Alan have two sons. 

This new role will give Kathy time to travel and speak about her book, Headhunter Confidential: The Unwritten Rules for Landing a Job You Love.  

Diane Westmore, retired Recruiter



Diane, a brilliant recruiter who joined BoardWalk in 2019 as a Recruitment & Research Consultant, retired this Spring. She brought over 30 years of executive search experience to clients recruiting President/CEO, Vice President, and other senior leaders across all functional areas. During her tenure, she led large national searches including Sierra Club, Grove Park Foundation, Earthjustice, and Brain Tumor Network. 

Before BoardWalk, Diane spent 12 years at Spencer Stuart, where she developed a reputation for creative solutions to complex assignments for academic medical centers, health systems, nonprofits, research institutes, and government agencies.

A Wisconsin native and lifelong Green Bay Packers fan, Diane looks forward to spending more time on the South Carolina coast with her extended family. 

The 2026 BoardWalk Team

Different paths, one purpose. Meet the people behind BoardWalk's work in 2026.

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