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Your Search For Talent Starts – And Stops – Here

VP of Administration & Finance and VP of Programs

CFO and CEO
(National Search)

HR Business Partner

President/CEO
(National Search)

VP of Administration & Finance and VP of Programs

President & CEO
(National Search)

Executive Director (National Search)

Physician Assistant

President/CEO (National Search)

President/CEO

Executive Director

Find the Perfect Fit for the Culture You’re Creating

Recruiting, hiring, and onboarding a key team member can be a daunting process, and unsuccessful searches can be very costly – in terms of your culture and your cash flow.

Whether you’ve been trying to handle it in-house or have worked with an external partner, you may have already experienced some of these common problems:

  • being overwhelmed by a high quantity of low-quality applications
  • lacking the resources/proper process to efficiently identify, hire and retain the right person
  • losing people shortly after hiring them due to poor culture fit, communication issues, misrepresentations, etc.

With a process that’s so high-stakes, and in such a wildly competitive space, it’s the personal touch of an expert who truly cares about your culture that makes the difference in the end.  

Drawing from our decades of experience, we provide a proven process that’s structured, adaptive, and focused on hiring right the first time. 

Sure, we use proprietary tools and technology to be more efficient and cost-effective, but what sets us apart isn’t our tech, it’s our ingrained understanding of organizational culture and dynamics – and our humanity. Our ingenuity. Our flexibility. And our commitment – to you, your culture, and your overall success.

Working with your team, we start with a collaborative culture assessment session and competency modeling to help you distill exactly what you’re looking for in candidates, such as: 

  • Defining leadership traits & working styles that align with your organization’s long-term growth
  • Clarifying core competencies essential for success
  • Identifying motivators and values that align with your culture

That process is the foundation for our efforts going forward, from the internal audit of our proprietary international database, to external targeted search activities, to screening and interviewing candidates.

When you partner that people-first approach with our flexible terms & contingency pricing, Ascendant Retention Guarantee, and 90 days of complimentary executive coaching to further ensure successful onboarding, you get exceptional outcomes, guaranteed.

We care about culture, and we don’t get paid until you get your person. Sound interesting?

Years of Experience
Happy Clients
Roles Filled

Leaders, Found.

From the boardrooms of established companies to the offices of community nonprofits & family owned businesses, we’ve helped organizations of every sort. Regardless of your industry, size, or mission, our goal is the same: help you find the leader you’re looking for. 

Manufacturing
Healthcare
Tech
Non-For-Profit
Financial

Staffing Success Stories

“From the outset, MaryEllen demonstrated a profound understanding of our organization’s unique needs and culture. In the end, we found a CEO who not only meets but exceeds our expectations.”

– Tisha Luciani | Chair of the Board of Directors, CEO Search Committee Chair | Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

“Our company partnered with Ascendant when we were in need of a physician assistant. Amy Morphy quickly became a trusted resource. She took the time to understand our needs, delivered high-quality candidates, and maintained excellent communication.”

Joe Beang | Physician Assistant | Axis Neurosurgery and Spine of WNY

“Our search committee received a recommendation to engage Ascendant, and specifically, MaryEllen Carlo. Thanks to her efforts, we found an outstanding leader who is driving our mission forward with passion and excellence.”

– Nicholas Alberalla | Board Chair | Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western New York

“MaryEllen is a terrific partner who takes the time to listen to client needs. Not only does she focus on the technical requirements of the role but she also takes the time to understand the cultural aspects of the company. I gave her a difficult search and appreciated her tenacity.”

– Ed Moore | Former Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer | Rich Products

“I worked with Amy Morphy while filling a key position at Reichert during a time of transition. Amy was attentive, direct, and understood what we needed. She asked the right questions, communicated clearly, and delivered strong candidates quickly.”

Gina Orsini | Sr. Manager, Talent Development | AMETEK Reichert

“MaryEllen is terrific at using her network to source strong, diverse candidates for C-Suite employment opportunities in the WNY region. The results speak for themselves, with hundreds of placements in both the private and non-profit sectors in the region.”

– David Rust | CEO | Say Yes Buffalo

“Amy was instrumental in making the process seamless. She coordinated interviews, provided timely updates, and checked in along the way. Her support and guidance made what could have been a stressful experience very smooth.”

Katelyn Myka | Physician Assistant | Axis Neurosurgery

“Working with Amy was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. She guided me through every step of a lengthy interview process with professionalism, consistency, and genuine care. … I landed the job and couldn’t be more excited for this next step.”

Robert James Hunt, SHRM-CP | HR Business Partner | AMETEK Reichert

“Amy did an excellent job helping us hire a strong A&D Market Manager. She quickly understood our needs, delivered high-quality candidates, and guided the process smoothly from start to finish. I would highly recommend Amy for your recruiting needs.”

– Sara Evans | President | MidCity Furniture

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