Alison P. Ranney

Alison Ranney partners with corporate and philanthropic organizations to lead their CEO and board director searches. A recognized expert, Alison is known for her effective, pragmatic approach that serves a broad range of corporations and organizations, as well as her proven track record for improving diversity at the CEO and board levels.

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Alison Ranney specializes in CEO, board, and C-suite searches. She also consults on leadership and talent. She is often tapped to craft teams of experts to address the needs of clients and manage key client relationships. She is particularly passionate about partnering with clients who are mission-driven.

Alison is known for her effective, pragmatic approach that serves a wide range of clients. Her work has been featured in numerous publications. In a cover profile, Crain's noted: “Alison Ranney is remaking what leadership looks like across the country.” With her clients, Alison focuses on desired leadership qualities, skills, and characteristics instead of qualifications. This serves to ‘open the aperture’ with impactful results.

Alison found her passion for executive recruiting at Russell Reynolds Associates in 2005. Early on, she was honored to receive the firm's inaugural award for Excellence in Client Service.

Alison spent a chapter leading the Chicago Office of a boutique executive search firm focused on mission-driven search. She served as Partner in Charge for a nine-year period of significant growth that culminated in the successful acquisition by a private equity firm.

Before executive search, Alison was a corporate attorney at Skadden, Arps, the global law firm. She also served as an executive with AT&T Wireless and Vice President of the firm responsible for Prairie Crossing, the award-winning conservation community. Immediately after graduating from college, Alison taught in Guatemala.

An experienced corporate Director, Alison has been involved with Wintrust Financial Corporation for almost two decades. She is on the Board of Directors of Wintrust Bank, where she serves on the Compensation & Nominating and Audit Committees.

With a deep commitment to civic involvement, Alison has served on numerous boards in her immediate community and well beyond, including the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry, World Business Chicago and Public Radio International, among others. She has sat on the Visiting Committee at the University of Chicago Law School and the Alumni Council of Phillips Andover Academy.

She is a member of The Commercial Club, The Economic Club, the Chicago Club and The Chicago Network, among others.

Alison was profiled in the book 'Life After Law: Finding Work You Love with the JD You Have'.

Alison received her BA from Brown University, where she graduated magna cum laude. She earned her MBA and JD at the University of Chicago, where she has been a member of the Visiting Committee of the Law School. She has also been part of the Alumni Council at Phillips Andover Academy.
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Areas of Expertise

Board Director and Chair Search Board Effectiveness Board of Directors CEO Succession Chief Executive Officers Education Executive Search Family Business Social Impact

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