In today’s competitive job market, finding top-tier talent is more challenging than ever. Organizations are constantly searching for individuals with the knowledge, skills, experience, and perspectives needed to drive productivity, innovation, and excellence. Pathways Executive Search specializes in uncovering exceptional candidates who might be overlooked by traditional executive recruitment methods.

“There are so many highly qualified people waiting to be discovered; they’re just not necessarily found in and through conventional networks,” observes Laurie Sterritt, Pathways’ founder and managing partner. “Our business model focuses on expanding the talent pool – to everyone’s benefit – by connecting our clients with candidates they might never have found on their own.”

Indigenous professionals represent a significant source of untapped potential. These individuals often possess valuable skills, experience, and cultural insights that can enrich any organization. However, accessing this talent requires a strategic and culturally sensitive approach.

With a proven track record in Indigenous recruitment and successfully sourcing highly qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds and geographic locations, Pathways’ unique approach combines broad and deep industry knowledge with a commitment to building relationships with community organizations, Indigenous leaders, and throughout the private and public sector.

“Over the last year, we’ve placed people in roles in financial services, higher education, healthcare, economic development, government, and more” observes Sterritt. “And while we were heavily focused on the Canadian market, we have experienced a significant uptick in inquiries from organizations in the United States and elsewhere. This is exciting because it challenges us to develop strategies that support our clients’ specific contexts and embrace the recruitment realities of different jurisdictions.”

Earlier this year, Pathways successfully completed two executive searches for clients who were struggling to find qualified candidates with extremely specific experience.

Grand Challenges Canada (GCC), a global impact-first investor funded by the Government of Canada, sought a Senior Director, Indigenous Innovation Initiative and Transition. The organization needed an Indigenous leader with proven experience in fundraising and developing innovative community solutions. Pathways broadened the talent pool creatively, leading GCC to hire a candidate who, while initially an unexpected choice, proved to be the perfect fit.

Similarly, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), the umbrella organization for Canada’s provincial and territorial securities regulators, was looking for an Indigenous Engagement Senior Advisor. This new senior role was critical for incorporating the voices of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities into securities regulation and investor education. Despite the role’s specific requirements, including deep understanding of the financial industry, Pathways’ search team presented a strong shortlist. The successful candidate brought a robust background in finance and natural resources, coupled with proven experience in policy and regulation concerning Indigenous community impacts from resource development.

Check out Pathways’ current opportunities here. 

“Our focus is always going to be on finding the best-fit candidate for each role, regardless of their background,” continues Sterritt. “But we need to ensure we’re searching for people who might be missed, despite having qualifications and experience aligned with the opportunity. Because we believe that a diverse workforce – in the broadest sense of the word – brings a wealth of perspectives and ideas that can lead to greater innovation, problem-solving, and overall success.”