Michelle Kristel is a former nonprofit executive who understands the impact a great hire has on an organization. She believes placing the right leader in the right position builds stronger and more effective teams. Michelle has a keen eye for matching talent to opportunity and is driven by a fierce commitment to advance her clients’ missions. Through her experience in both executive search and nonprofit leadership, she has seen firsthand the impact great placements have on programs, fundraising, governance and fiscal health. She is proud to bring her clients the essential talent to meet their goals and realize their vision. 

Michelle is the former executive director of In the Life Media (ITLM), a nonprofit organization producing documentary programming to raise awareness of issues related to gender, HIV/AIDS and LGBT rights. She joined ITLM in 2002 in the position of production manager. In 2006, following a succession of promotions, she was appointed executive director. ITLM's signature series, IN THE LIFE, was broadcast nationally on PBS from 1992 through 2012. 

Currently, Michelle serves on the Board of Directors of CenterLink, the national association of LGBT community centers. She is a proud member of the Network of Nonprofit Search Consultants, with which she serves as a Co-Chair of the Program Committee and a member of the Executive Committee. 

Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Master of Arts from New York University.

Dr. Zaria Davis is a mentor, educator, and advocate. She serves as a coach and consultant for nonprofits and corporations servicing directly impacted communities. Previously, Zaria served as Executive Director of Lincoln Heights Outreach, Inc. She is actively engaged in her local community in developing and training new advocates, especially those impacted by the criminal legal system. Zaria is a Subject Matter Expert with Jamii Sisterhood and serves on the Dignity LeadHERship Alliance team and the Ed Trust's Justice Fellows Advisory Board. 

Zaria holds a DSW (Social Work) from Capella University, MSW from University of Cincinnati and BA in Sociology from Wilberforce University. She is currently enrolled in Eden Theological Seminary pursuing her MDiv. Dr. Davis is a member of Leadership Ohio 2021 Class and graduate from Leadership Cincinnati Class 44, JLUSA’s Leading with Conviction, and EXCEL.  

She serves as a board member for Dress for Success Cincinnati and served as chair of the program committee which included hiring new team members, Ohio Justice and Policy Center, ReNForce, and the Robert O'Neal Multicultural Art Center (ROMAC). Zaria is a member of the International Coaching Federation, National Association of Social Workers, National Association of Community & Restorative Justice, National Association of Black Social Workers, and Life Member.  

Bryan Epps began his career as an organizer on environmental issues. Since then, he's remained committed to impact by serving as executive director of a nonprofit with an international mission, developing a capacity-building unit for nonprofit executives, and consulting with leaders in the field. Through these experiences he's come to both understand and support the unique needs of the nonprofit sector.  

As Executive Director,  Bryan led The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center through an extensive process of financial, programmatic and staff development, raising the profile of the institution. He developed a manifold understanding of the responsibilities nonprofit leaders hold through his previous roles which include Serving as an Account Executive with Yoswein New York where he represented the public affairs of nonprofit organizations, as a Senior Policy Analyst supporting contracting nonprofits under Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s Administration, and as a Performance Analyst for Mayor Cory A. Booker’s Office. 

As a volunteer, Bryan crafted research for the Black Census Project which surveyed over 30,000 African Americans to inform public policy, launched People’s Prep a standalone high school, and serves as Board Chair of Garden State Equality, New Jersey’s leading LGBTQ civil rights organization. 

Bryan earned a B.A. from Rutgers University and a M.S. from the Milano School of Urban and Public Policy at the New School in New York.  

Catie DiFelice joined McCormack + Kristel in January 2016 as Senior Associate, bringing more than five years of retained executive search experience. Catie’s search career includes work in the Technology, Healthcare, and Consumer markets in addition to her primary focus in Nonprofit and Higher Education. 

Although she has helped recruit C-suite and other senior executives in many markets and sectors, Catie has always felt most connected to her work on behalf of mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations. Her broad nonprofit search experience cuts across the healthcare, civil rights/social justice, education, and arts & culture sectors. Functionally, Catie’s professional expertise includes CEO/ED and general management roles, senior development, fundraising, advancement leadership, chief programmatic and financial officers, and both academic and administrative leadership in higher education.  

Prior to joining McCormack + Kristel, Catie was an Associate – and previously Research Associate – in the Los Angeles office of Diversified Search, a “Top Ten” U.S. retained executive search firm. During her tenure at Diversified, Catie played an integral role in more than 200 successfully completed executive searches across multiple industries. In addition to candidate identification and development work, Catie provided market assessment, search strategy, talent mapping, and relationship management support on dozens of senior-level searches. 

Catie grew up in South Carolina and now lives in El Paso TX, with her daughter. She is a strong supporter of Point Foundation and has enjoyed volunteering with local organizations such as Union Station Homeless Services and Five Acres. She has served as a Board Member and Board Development Chair for the South Pasadena Educational Foundation. 

Isabella Cruz is an Associate with 4+ years of experience in onboarding, retention, talent acquisition, and executive search. As an inclusive recruiting and HR professional with experience in technology, healthcare, and sustainable infrastructure and energy private equity verticals, Isabella focuses her practice with a foundational lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Isabella has volunteered with local non-profit organizations such as Feed the Mass, Oregon Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, and helped execute a week-long expungement workshop event with Expunge Oregon.

Isabella earned a B.A. from Oregon State University in Communications and a minor in Spanish language.

Enrique Campos is the Recruiting Coordinator for McCormack + Kristel with five years of experience in the non-profit sector. Having grown up in the Inland Empire, Enrique has made it his goal to help underserved populations, including LGBTQ+ youth, homeless individuals, and people living with HIV.  

Enrique earned his Bachelor of Arts in Languages in Literature with concentrations in Spanish and French from the University of California, Riverside, where he was a Safe Schools Scholar and a winner of the Steven Schum Activist Award for his volunteer work with the campus LGBTQ Center. 

Kristine Papp joined McCormack + Kristel in August 2021 as Director of Finance and Administration following an accomplished career in marketing, branding, and advertising. A seasoned account executive committed to upholding the highest standards of customer service, Kristine’s passion for our clients is reflected in her long dedication to volunteer service.

During the fall of 2020, Kristine worked with the U.S. Census Bureau to count people experiencing homelessness in New York City. She is a long-serving volunteer at the Meatloaf Kitchen and Pantry at University Community Social Services in Manhattan, and she has prepared and served Thanksgiving dinners to individuals and families in need at the Saint Stephen of Hungary School for many years. She is a current Board Member of First Avenue Owners Corporation. 

Kristine earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Marketing from Ithaca College. 

Joe’s 30+ years of search experience include positions in New York and Los Angeles as Partner with Ward Howell International, Vice President with Ray & Berndtson and with Billington, Fox & Ellis, and Manager with Ernst & Young. A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Joe McCormack served in the U.S. Navy and, following training in the Department of Defense Information School, was a Navy public affairs officer on the staff of Commander, U.S. SECOND Fleet. Joe served for four years on the national Board of the Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), which advocates for respect for all in our nation’s schools. He also served on the Board of Regents for The Point Foundation, the first national LGBT scholarship fund, for six years and was the first Chair of its Board of Trustees. He served for three years as a board member and member of the Development Committee for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network in Washington, DC, which successfully advocated in 2011 for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Previously, he served as Vice Chair of the Board of PHFE (Public Health Foundation Enterprises) in Los Angeles. Joe has served as Vice Chair of the Board of the LGBT Center of the Desert in Palm Springs and served on the Center’s Capital Campaign Committee for its successful $3.5 million campaign.

Since his retirement in 2022, Joe continues to be a sage strategic advisor and mentor to the McCormack + Kristel team.