Diane Carlyle is a consultant in Spencer Stuart’s New York Office and a core member of the Education & Social Impact Practice. With more than 15 years of experience in the education and nonprofit sectors, she focuses on executive recruitment assignments broadly across the practice, including arts and cultural institutions, community-based nonprofits, foundations, colleges and universities, and national and international nonprofits, with a focus on the CEO assignments and functional roles in the C-Suite such as chief operating officer, chief communications officer, chief marketing officer and chief development officer.

Educational and social impact organizations face new and increasingly complex challenges, and Diane brings expertise in leadership transitions that require drawing on talent from multiple sectors, within and outside the practice. She is also adept at advising clients on designing and executing an inclusive and equitable process that supports strong outcomes and the long-term success of any new leader and the organization as a whole.

A focus in arts and culture, community-based organizations and fundraising

  • Diane has led leadership transitions at a wide range of arts and cultural organizations, including performing arts centers, museums, regional theaters and libraries. She has also done significant work for foundations and educational institutions that have a focus on the arts, either through funding or through developing the next generation of artists. Recently, she has partnered with a number of organizations seeking to replace a long-serving leader or founder.
  • An invested and longtime New York City resident, Diane has more than 15 years of experience supporting leadership transitions within an array of nonprofit organizations based in the city. She has advised on leadership transitions for some of New York’s most impactful organizations in arts and culture, health and human services, higher education, philanthropy and community and business development.
  • Diane’s experience partnering with place-based nonprofit organizations extends beyond New York City. She has done CEO searches for a range of community-based nonprofits, including community foundations and local chapters of federated organizations, throughout the United States.
  • Earlier in her career Diane served as a fundraiser for Columbia University. Since joining Spencer Stuart, she has led assignments for fundraising leaders for organizations across the Education & Social Impact Practice.

Diane holds an A.B. in mathematics from Mount Holyoke College and an M.S. in mathematics from the University of Virginia.

Practice Areas