Cheryl Bedard Executive Search

Connecting Talented Executives with
Deserving Companies

Years of Experience
0 +

BIOGRAPHY

MEET CHERYL

Cheryl specializes in connecting talented executives to deserving companies. Cheryl demonstrates great insight into the needs of both employers and candidates and uses those insights to drive mutually convenient solutions for both parties. ExecuBiz and Executive Mosaic have recognized Cheryl as one of the top recruiters in the government contracting industry.

Working with a wide range of employers from global consulting firms to public companies to small businesses, Cheryl brings an understanding of the critical challenges facing each firm. Whether searching for a CEO, a vice president, a practice leader or a business developer, Cheryl identifies the compelling components of client opportunities and matches it to the interests of confidential candidates. She regularly represents candidates transitioning from government to the private sector, as well as key executives in the public and private sector markets.

Cheryl began her executive recruiting career in 1999, when she joined The McCormick Group after fifteen years of service in corporate accounting and operations. She was an accounting software systems consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers. During the first administration of President Clinton, she served as Chief of Operations and Special Assistant to the Secretary at the United States Department of Energy as a political appointee. She was Regional Controller for Earle Palmer Brown and served as controller at several smaller advertising agencies. Cheryl attended the University of Maryland.

Born in Landstuhl, Germany, Cheryl is a proud Army brat. She is the lead singer and songwriter for the band Mojo Hounds and is the delighted grandmother of three.

Cheryl enjoys sharing insights into the process of recruiting and job searching with employers and candidates alike. She is a regular guest speaker and contributor to the Career Network Ministry and open to speaking invitations from other professional networking groups.

Our Services

Let Us Make The Connection

Successful executive recruiting involves using Science (researching markets, mapping talent) combined with Art (telling the story of an opportunity, developing relationships) to create Alchemy, the magical outcome where talented, qualified candidates are willing to consider the role.

Cheryl collaborates with clients to develop a compelling case for their opportunity by focusing on why the talented candidates they hope to attract would consider their company. Cheryl helps her clients go beyond the position description to convey performance objectives, accountability metrics, and a vision for the role tied to the organization’s strategic plan. 

Cheryl builds relationships with candidates by understanding their career goals and helping them consider roles. Cheryl helps candidates examine their current and potential roles by comparing three key factors: future, financial and fun. Future: does the role align with future career goals? Financial: is the compensation fair? Fun: will they enjoy the role?

Cheryl advises clients on strategies to attract talented candidates, efficient methods for interviewing and evaluating candidates, and processes to streamline decision making. 

For each search project, Cheryl creates a custom search strategy. Identifying the right people to talk with and leveraging existing contacts to meet new ones, Cheryl uses a network of sources to discover qualified, recruitable passive candidates. She vets the candidates against the clients’ preferred profile and recommends candidates for interviews.

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How we work

Core Values and Commitment to DEI

Cheryl Bedard’s core values are:

Cheryl’s core values are reflected in her approach to serving her clients and candidates. Treating everyone with dignity, offering honest information in a kind way, and doing the right thing every time are actions fundamental to Cheryl’s essence. 

As a recruiter, Cheryl always searches for the most talented and accomplished candidates on behalf of her clients. She makes an extra effort to identify and connect with a broad range of people so that her clients can meet with candidates offering a diverse array of accomplishments, experiences, problem-solving approaches, education, and personal identities. No prejudgment. No discrimination. No exclusions.

Who I Serve

The Heart of the Business

Cheryl’s career (corporate, government and recruiting) has been centered in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. As a recruiter for more than twenty years, she has built strong networks in government contracting and professional services public sector practices, as well as general corporations and non-profits. Conducting searches for companies with revenues ranging from start-up (pre-revenue) to $5 million to multi-billion, Cheryl has successfully recruited and placed Business Development executives, Line of Business/Practice leaders, C-Suite executives, Operations, Finance and Human Resources executives with titles including CEO, President, Vice President, Director, CFO, CHRO and Manager. If a role is designed to make a significant impact on a business, it is worth discussing how investing in Cheryl’s executive search services can help effectively, efficiently, and successfully deliver a diverse slate of candidates,

Testimonials

Success Stories

5/5
I have worked with Cheryl Bedard on 4 separate C-suite placements in both the Energy and Technology industries. From Fortune 500 to well-funded Start-Ups. At each placement I found Cheryl to be exceptionally well prepared, informative, and insightful. She always brings mutual value to me as a potential employee, and my ultimate employer as an objective voice resulting in clear position definition, right-fit, and proven positive impact for all parties. After my placements I have also hired 15 people through Cheryl, and I attribute much of their “hitting the ground running” success to her collaborative communication and thoughtful orchestration.

The level of depth that Cheryl takes to incorporate consideration for organizational history, going forward organizational plans, strategy, culture, inside and outside industry trends is unique and has set her apart from any C-Suite Recruiter I have experienced.
Louis Hutchinson
5/5
Cheryl Bedard is a top executive recruiter, specializing in the federal contracting and technology markets. Her extensive network, disciplined search methodology, and creativity meld together with her ethical and straight-forward style to deliver hidden gems. Cheryl's decades of experience and thousands of happy placements are testament to her exceptional ability to match deserving talent with quality companies.

Cheryl represented me on a search that landed my dream job at a great company. From our initial conversation about what I wanted through the final offer, she balanced pragmatism and enthusiasm along with a delightful sense of humor. She ensured I was well-prepared for each interview and for the compensation package negotiations. I benefited from Cheryl as a coach, mentor, and cheerleader throughout the process.
Ann-Marie Johnson
5/5
Cheryl approached my job search as an exciting opportunity for both of us. Her unique theories and opportunity design, development, and closure strategies resulted in a clear plan driving mutual success; and an incredibly valuable learning experience. Cheryl was the essential element in the effective marketing of my value to potential employers. Her unwavering commitment to my success, combined with her powerful reputation across a wide variety of companies and professions, were key aspects leading to a career-enhancing decision, and a ten-year friendship that continues today. Trust Cheryl as your partner to professional success beyond your expectations!
Larry Boland

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“Connect with Cheryl for Your Executive Search Needs”

Corporate HQ: 5000 Thayer Center, Suite C, Oakland, MD 21550
Local office: Beltsville, MD
Phone: (240) 354-5375