Brett Barbour

Consultant

pronouns: He, Him, His

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Brett Barbour is a seasoned executive recruitment professional with more than 15 years of experience spanning the nonprofit, higher education, and corporate sectors. He brings a thoughtful, relationship-driven approach to his work, guided by a deep respect for mission-driven leadership and the transformative impact of strong organizational partnerships.

Before joining Development Guild, Brett served as a Director on the Global Executive Recruitment team at American Express, where he managed executive-level searches across the enterprise and partnered with senior leaders, HR business partners, and retained search firms to attract and hire top talent. He also co-designed and implemented initiatives to enhance collaboration, strengthen internal mobility, and embed inclusive best practices throughout the recruitment process.

Previously, Brett was an executive search leader at Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm serving the higher education and nonprofit sectors. There, he managed searches for C-suite and senior functional leaders, working closely with clients to understand their strategic needs and guide them through every stage of the search process. He also mentored junior associates and supported firm-wide initiatives to refine search operations and strengthen client engagement.

Earlier in his career, Brett worked in development and advancement roles at Roundabout Theatre Company, New York University, and the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. These experiences deepened his appreciation for organizations that foster creativity, education, and community connection.