Case study: Building development leadership to support growth at West Cancer Foundation

As West Cancer Foundation expanded its reach and impact across the Mid-South, its leadership team recognized the need for dedicated development expertise to support growing fundraising demands. To ensure this critical hire aligned with the organization’s mission, values, and long-term goals, West Cancer Foundation partnered with Adams Keegan Recruiting Services (AKRS) to lead a thoughtful, equitable, and strategic search for a new Vice President of Development.

Before Adams Keegan
West Cancer Foundation’s need for a Vice President of Development emerged from a position of momentum. The organization was expanding programs, increasing community engagement, and raising more funds to support cancer research, education, and patient services. With that growth came the realization that development efforts required senior-level leadership.

Initially envisioned as a Director of Development role, the position evolved into a Vice President-level role as the scope and strategic importance became clear. This was a new leadership position designed to strengthen fundraising infrastructure and support long-term sustainability.

The search presented unique challenges. As a well-connected and respected nonprofit, West Cancer Foundation received significant interest from the community. While encouraging, this volume of applicants increased the need for a process that was unbiased, equitable, and accessible, ensuring every candidate was evaluated consistently and fairly.

Because Adams Keegan already served as West Cancer Foundation’s HR partner, the organization turned to AKRS with confidence, knowing the recruiting team understood both the internal culture and the broader nonprofit landscape.

The Adams Keegan solution
AKRS team partnered closely with West Cancer Foundation leadership to define the role clearly, refine the job description, and establish a structured hiring process aligned with the organization’s mission and values.

Key elements of AKRS’s approach included:

• Developing a clear job description reflective of the organization’s growth goals.
• Implementing standardized interview templates and evaluation criteria to reduce bias.
• Conducting pre-screening and behavioral assessments to evaluate leadership style and cultural fit.
• Leveraging deep knowledge of the Memphis nonprofit and philanthropic ecosystem.
• Supporting offer development, onboarding, and transition planning.

Because of AKRS’s ongoing HR relationship with West Cancer Foundation, the recruiting team brought insights no transactional firm could – understanding funding realities, organizational structure, and the importance of resourcefulness in nonprofit leadership roles.

The Adams Keegan Difference
Stephanie Douglas was selected for the role of Vice President of Development after a thorough and collaborative search process. With nearly 20 years of experience in sales and philanthropy, including leadership roles at United Way of the Mid-South, Stephanie brought both technical expertise and pre-established relationships within the Memphis community.

Beyond experience, she demonstrated the qualities West Cancer Foundation prioritized most: autonomy, resourcefulness, and a deep understanding of the socio-economic landscape. Her personal connection to the mission further strengthened the alignment.

Since joining West Cancer Foundation two years ago, Stephanie’s impact has been significant. She has helped set a new standard for development hiring, expanded fundraising platforms, and played a key role in building out the development team, including additional hires supported by AKRS. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing the organization’s growth and capacity.

Recruiting leadership for mission-driven growth
For West Cancer Foundation, filling the Vice President of Development role was centered on building leadership capacity to support a growing mission. Adams Keegan Recruiting Services’ comprehensive, mission-driven approach ensured the organization hired the right leader at the right time, with a foundation for long-term success.

Client perspective
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Adams Keegan Recruiting Services for the past two years, and they have consistently proven to be one of our most valued partners. Their commitment to our mission — and to our employees — goes above and beyond what I could ever expect. 

I highly recommend Adams Keegan to any organization seeking a full-service advisory partner. Their team is not only incredibly skilled but also genuinely caring, and they have been instrumental in helping us streamline our operations with confidence and ease.”

 – Leighanne Soden, President of West Cancer Foundation

Key takeaway: By combining nonprofit expertise, local market insight, and structured, equitable hiring practices, Adams Keegan helps organizations like West Cancer Foundation build leadership teams that drive impact, growth, and sustainability.