Courtney Disston

Courtney Disston is a proven executive search consultant with more than twenty-four years of experience recruiting senior leaders within the non-profit sector. She founded Disston Search in early 2020.

Previously, Courtney was a Principal in Heidrick & Struggles’ Philadelphia office in the Education, Non-Profit, Social Enterprise Practice. She began her career in executive search in 2001 with Heidrick & Struggles in New York focused on the fine and performing arts, foundations and higher education. Over the course of her career, Courtney has conducted high impact searches on the local and national level across all functions within foundations, NGOs, K-12 education, higher education, social services, advocacy and cultural institutions.

Courtney also spent several years with Korn/Ferry in Philadelphia in their Education, Non-Profit Practice focused on the placement of senior leaders. Before returning to Heidrick & Struggles in 2014, Courtney served as Senior Director for Executive Talent Acquisition at Aramark Corporation executing enterprise wide executive level searches.

Courtney earned a BA in American Studies from Trinity College in Hartford, CT. She is a former Board member of Success Academy Charter Schools and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Port Wardens of the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia.