What We Do
Diversity Search Redefined
Transparency, integrity, and empathy are the pillars upon which we built our company. We believe in fostering an environment where every candidate and client feels valued, heard, and supported throughout the entire executive search process.
With our partnership, we will shape an Executive landscape for your organization where diversity thrives. When underrepresented voices are elevated, excellence knows no boundaries.
Choose us, a women minority-owned and operated recruiting firm that understands your needs for a diverse executive workforce.
Together, we will break barriers, unlock untapped potential, and build a brighter future one exceptional leader at a time.
About Bonn Search Partners
Diversifying your executive leadership strategy
Bonn Search Partners is more than just another recruiting firm. We are trailblazers.
In our belief, diversity and representation matter tremendously. We know that true innovation and success come from embracing a multitude of perspectives and experiences.
A greater purpose drives us; to set new standards for excellence and inclusivity. We are champions of diversity, forging a path towards a more inclusive future.
Meet the Team
Marie Manalansan-Bonn
Founder | Managing Director
Marie's dedication to breaking barriers and fostering an inclusive world inspired her to establish Bonn Partners, a company committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. With a profound understanding of DEI initiatives, she assists organizations in creating more equitable and diverse teams, one placement at a time.
Before founding Bonn Search Partners, Marie was a Senior Partner at Mogul, hailed as the “world’s largest platform for women and diverse professionals” by Business Insider and the “best partner for finding top talent” by Inc. and “top partner for marketing your company” by Forbes. In her role, she led Mogul's Diversified Executive Search practice, successfully placing underrepresented senior leadership, including roles at the SVP, C-Suite, and Board of Directors levels across multiple sectors such as Technology, Media, Consumer Products, Retail, Private Equity, and VC-backed ventures. Marie was among the pioneers in Mogul's Diversified Executive Search.
Before her tenure at Mogul, Marie spent 11 years at Lucas Group, a Korn Ferry company, as an Executive Senior Partner. She made successful leadership placements from the VP level to the C-Suite for a variety of companies, including Fortune 500 firms, fast-growing startups, and PE and VC-backed enterprises. During her time there, she was recognized with accolades such as the Platinum Elite (Top 10% in the company), President’s Club (achieved by only 5% of the company), and the Sterling Club. She contributed significantly to the company's growth, helping it scale from $40M to over $100M in revenue.
Marie earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Given her extensive experience and dedication to fostering a more inclusive world, Marie is an esteemed advocate for building diverse leadership teams that drive success for both organizations and individuals.
Kenny Rogers
Executive Account Senior Partner
Kenny, a native Texan, brings a unique blend of southern charm, independence, and cultural appreciation to his role at Bonn Search Partners. Prior to joining our team, Kenny served as a Global Partnership Lead at Mogul, where he excelled in placing high-profile C-Suite and Board roles within the technology sector, contributing to the company's global expansion.
Kenny's professional journey began at Dell, where he honed his skills in managing complex sales cycles as an Account Executive. His ability to navigate intricate business landscapes led him to roles at Fortune 500 companies like Oracle and Indeed, where he consistently exceeded sales targets and contributed to strategic growth initiatives.
What sets Kenny apart is his authentic communication style. He believes in transparency and sincerity, qualities that have helped him build trust and forge enduring partnerships with clients. His ability to understand and cater to clients' unique needs has been instrumental in his success. Beyond his professional pursuits, Kenny is a passionate sports enthusiast, rooting for the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Astros. His love for sports extends to his community involvement, often connecting with fellow Texans over shared sports interests. Kenny holds a degree in Radio & Television Production from Sam Houston State University. His educational background, combined with his diverse skill set and genuine Texas spirit, enriches every aspect of his professional and personal life
Jo Haines
Managing Director
As a seasoned veteran in the search industry, Jo knows that success comes from solid relationships based on trust and mutual respect that form lasting partnerships. Jo takes a strategic and hands-on approach to all she does, aiming to fit in that last piece of the puzzle and create successful results for clients and candidates alike.
Prior to joining Bonn Partners, Jo was SVP of Executive Search and Client Relations with CPC Talent, a boutique search firm specializing in Private Equity and Venture-backed companies within consumer goods, business services, and manufacturing.
Before her tenure with CPC Talent, Jo was the Practice Leader of Retail, eCommerce, and Consumer Goods with MOGUL, a VC-backed talent acquisition SaaS company offering Executive and Board Search Services with a focus on providing diverse talent.
Prior to MOGUL, Jo spent 17 years with C-Suite Corp, a boutique retained executive search firm offering high-touch, customized retained executive search services, as a fundamental partner conducting searches from the Director level up through the C-Suite. She earned a Bachelors in Education from Fitchburg State University.
Nelson Valencia
Senior Client Partner
Nelson's client portfolio is broad and diverse, spanning start-ups, pre-IPO companies, and Fortune 500 behemoths. His areas of expertise extend across various industries such as Software/Technology, Human Resources, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), Talent Acquisition, Finance, IoT, Insurance, Education, Construction, and Healthcare. Through his deep immersion in these sectors, Nelson has developed a profound understanding of the unique challenges his clients face. He excels in tailoring targeted solutions to these challenges.
Before joining Bonn Search Partners, Nelson built a solid track record as a Senior Enterprise Account Executive with Mogul. During his tenure, he forged partnerships with executive leaders from renowned companies such as Walt Disney, Walgreens, TELUS International, 2K Gaming, Cupertino Electric, SHI International, TTEC, Supercell, United States Institute of Peace, and many of the Fortune 50-1000 firms. He offered DEI executive and board search services, as well as talent acquisition software solutions. Nelson's strategic acumen significantly contributed to his success in driving go-to-market strategies, optimizing sales operations, and implementing effective marketing campaigns. His mission is to help organizations reach their goals and foster inclusive workplaces.
Nelson is a graduate of De La Salle University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a focus on Business and Technical Communication.
Shawna Rice
Executive Senior Partner
Leveraging a rich background in the fast-growing startup environment and workforce sectors, Shawna excels in orchestrating the entire recruitment procedure. She holds a particular niche in Accounting & Finance, managing every phase proficiently—from scouting and vetting candidates to negotiating and securing outstanding offers.
Shawna's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives over the past nine years stands as a testament to her strategic vision. Her unwavering quality, integrity, and readiness to go above and beyond have fostered resilient bonds with stakeholders at all organizational tiers, cementing her reputation as a trusted industry expert.
At the core of her success is her knack for nurturing personable relationships with both candidates and clients. Shawna adeptly handles multiple concurrent opportunities, maintaining a pipeline of highly qualified candidates ready to meet the dynamic needs of the industry. Her consultative approach, complemented by thorough research, deep industry insights, and cutting-edge recruitment technologies, enables her to pinpoint and introduce top-tier candidates to clients with efficiency and finesse, reinforcing her pledge to excellence in every endeavor
Rhonda Taylor
Board Advisor
Her broad experience extends across a wide range of corporate functions. Rhonda's skills are not confined to a single discipline but traverse through operations, digital, marketing, sales, creative, finance, and technology. This cross-functional expertise enables her to understand the unique needs and challenges of each sector, equipping her with the capability to propose effective solutions for a variety of hiring situations.
The journey of Rhonda’s successful career in recruiting started back in 2003. Over the years, she has formed invaluable partnerships with companies and brands spread across the nation, aiding their growth and leadership hiring. Her hands-on leadership experience in the past decade involves not only guiding high-growth start-up recruiting firms but also strategically scaling teams. She has exhibited her entrepreneurial spirit and knack for business growth by nurturing search industry businesses from their infancy to $30M powerhouses.
Moreover, Rhonda has showcased her versatility by establishing an Executive search division within a Software as a Service (SaaS) technology company. In the past couple of years, she has broadened her expertise by immersing herself in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) space. She passionately partners with organizations, striving to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion at the highest level. Her commitment to these principles is evident in her dedication to sourcing diverse talent pools, ensuring the representation and inclusion of traditionally marginalized groups in top-level leadership roles. Rhonda's expansive career and diverse expertise highlight her as a powerful player in the executive search and business development industry.
Clifton Richardson
Senior Client Partner
Clifton has over a decade of experience in sales, recruiting, and client-focused roles. He believes in building lasting relationships, making him a trusted advisor to top executives. He's especially skilled in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Clifton has worked with a wide range of clients. These include growing start-ups, pre-IPO companies ready for success, and Fortune 500 leaders. He's worked across many sectors like Technology, Healthcare, Financial Services, Manufacturing, Education, Food and Beverage, Media and Entertainment, Nonprofits, and Construction. This broad experience helps him understand his clients' unique challenges. He's great at creating custom solutions to overcome these hurdles.
Before joining Bonn Search Partners, Clifton was a Director of Partnerships at Mogul. There, he built strong relationships with top executives from famous companies like Warner Music Group, Dentsu, Consigli, Tommy Bahama, Henry Schein, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, The Honest Company, and many Fortune 50-1000 companies. His work went beyond DEI executive and board search services. He also implemented advanced talent acquisition software solutions. Clifton's strategic thinking was key in improving sales operations, creating successful go-to-market strategies, and running powerful marketing campaigns.
Clifton is dedicated to helping organizations succeed. He believes that a company's success is directly tied to empowering its people. This belief drives him to consistently look for ways to support teams, promote inclusivity, and make a positive impact.
Clifton is a graduate of Wilkes University and a former college basketball player. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, specializing in Management.
Our Mission
Champions of DEI in executive search
Our mission is to connect companies with the leaders they need to change the way they do business.
Creating opportunities in executive roles for those who have traditionally been marginalized sets us apart. When you partner with us, you're joining a movement.
Join us in rewriting the narrative of leadership. From boardrooms to executive suites, our relentless pursuit of diversity and inclusion propels organizations toward exponential growth and transformation. We are the bridge that connects visionary URG leaders with companies ready to embrace change and embrace their full potential.
Our Beliefs
Equity and Inclusion in Hiring for Successful Leadership Teams
We believe that a diverse and inclusive leadership team is essential to building successful companies and driving innovation in today's fast-paced business environment. As a minority-owned executive search firm, we are uniquely positioned to provide a fresh perspective on executive search and bring a new level of diversity and inclusion to all industries.
"Bonn Search Partners' dedication to inclusivity and meticulous search process led to exceptional results in placing our CFO, who not only possesses exceptional financial acumen but also brings a unique perspective to our team."
Victor, CEO at Medical Manufacturing Company