Second Harvest
Recruiting & Advisory
We’re a human-led recruiting and advisory partner for leaders in transition and the organizations that want them. Our advantage isn’t a database. It’s proximity. We sit with people around campfires, at long tables, and in quiet one-on-ones during Second Harvest retreats—so we know who they are, not just what they’ve done. We help align who you are with what you do, and connect companies with leaders who are ready for their next chapter.
Who we serve
Leaders in transition
You’ve built, scaled, and succeeded. Now you’re asking, “What’s next?” We help you name the work only you can do—and step toward roles that match your stage, energy, and values.
We'll help you find clarity, momentum, and a role that feels like the next chapter, not a recycling of the last.
A narrative refresh
Your story, clarified and positioned for the roles you actually want.
Curated introductions
Meet founders, investors, and operators who value purpose and performance.
Tailored options
Across advisory, board, fractional, and executive roles—chosen for alignment, not just compensation.
Progress, not performance
A confidential, thoughtful process grounded in conversations, not forms.
Companies & funds
You’re building a leadership bench and you care about fit as much as capability. Through our retreats and community, we engage daily with operators, product leaders, GTM executives, and founders who have led some of the fastest-growing design-driven SaaS companies.
We recommend people we’ve spent time with in-person—leaders we’ve watched in real conversations, not just interviews.
Flexible support
Executive, fractional, and interim placements to stabilize or scale.
Curated advice
Board and advisor matches that bring both expertise and empathy.
Your perfect team
Discreet searches for values-aligned leaders who can transform a team from the inside out.
What makes this different
Intentionally analog
No algorithm, no platform. Just deep listening, careful curation, and long-form references from a community we know well.
Alignment > placement
We won’t “fill a role.” We align people and purpose—creating matches that endure beyond the first quarter’s metrics.
Context you can't manufacture
Retreats reveal who someone is under pressure, at play, and in service to others. That context is the unfair advantage.
How it works
For leaders
- Discovery – A confidential 60-minute conversation to understand your story, appetite, and boundaries.
- Decision Support – Perspective, references, and terms coaching—so the choice serves your next decade, not just your next deal.
- Story & Strategy – We refine your narrative and target map (roles, sectors, stage, geography).
- Warm Introductions – Curated connections to founders, funds, and operators where there’s real mutual pull.
- Advisory & Board Pathways – Explore fractional, advisory, and board options while you consider full-time roles.
For companies
- Intake – We listen for the job beneath the job: the real business need, cultural texture, and success conditions.
- Shortlist – 3–5 leaders we know personally, each with a pointed brief on fit, risks, and first-90-day plan.
- Working Sessions – Structured conversations (not interrogations) to test chemistry and problem-solving.
- Close & Onboard – Help with offer design, first-quarter goals, and team alignment to accelerate value.
Who will you work with?
Devon McDonald
Devon built one of the most trusted executive networks in SaaS, leading OpenView’s value-add platform and connecting exceptional talent with high-growth companies around the world.
“Devon is one of the most insightful and supportive leaders I’ve ever worked with… she understands what makes top talent thrive and how to match the right talent to the right companies.”
— Kyle Lacy, CMO, Docebo
Richard Banfield
Richard has spent two decades building and advising product and design-led teams, facilitating hundreds of brand, product, and leadership transformations. Together, we bring a rare, complementary lens on people and performance.
”You couldn’t ask for a better guide to reinvention than Richard. He’s brilliant, curious, empathetic, and a great friend. He constantly challenges himself and those around him to do better, to be better.”
— Martin Eriksson, CPO, and best selling author.
Engagement options
Executive & Fractional Search
Discreet, values-aligned leadership placements
Advisory & Board Matchmaking
Operators & domain experts who bring wisdom without ego
Founder & Team Coaching
Narrative clarity, decision frameworks, & org design support through pivotal transitions
Summit & Retreat Access
Priority invitations to Second Harvest gatherings where authentic relationships are formed
Note: We intentionally limit active searches to preserve focus and quality.
Fee structure
For companies
We partner with growth-stage and purpose-driven organizations to connect them with exceptional leaders from the Second Harvest network — executives who are experienced, self-aware, and ready for their next chapter.
A focused engagement designed to set your search up for success — perfect for teams that want to move quickly or start with strategic alignment before launching a full search.
We'll help you:
- Define the role and ideal candidate profile
- Align stakeholders on expectations and decision criteria
- Build a target company and candidate list
- Design an efficient and values-aligned process
- Equip your internal team to execute effectively
Ideal for founders, CEOs, or talent leaders who want to get it right from the start.
Full Search Options:
- Contingent Search: 20% of first-year base salary (fee paid upon successful placement)
- Retained Search: 18% of first-year base salary (50% paid upfront, 50% upon completion)
All searches include access to our curated executive network and direct partnership with Devon and Richard.
For executives & leaders in transition
We meet extraordinary leaders every day — people rethinking what’s next and ready to align their work with who they’ve become. Our programs help you clarify direction, strengthen your narrative, and stay accountable as you move toward new opportunities.
package
Three 1:1 sessions with Devon and Richard to help you find clarity and position yourself for your next chapter.
Includes:
- Intake & Discovery – Define your goals, values, and ideal path.
- Review & Application – Refine your professional story and LinkedIn to reflect your authentic value.
- Action Plan – Create a personalized roadmap and outreach strategy.
For leaders ready to align who they are with what they do.
Your ongoing accountability and growth partnership.
Includes:
- Monthly 1:1 coaching call with Devon or Richard
- Clear goal-setting and progress tracking
- Ongoing introductions to aligned opportunities
- Guidance on networking, positioning, and momentum
Stay focused, stay visible, and stay in motion as you design your next chapter.
Let's talk
Whether you’re a leader ready for your next chapter—or a company seeking the kind of talent that changes everything—let’s begin with a conversation.
FAQs
No. We’re a relationship-driven advisory that occasionally runs searches when the match is clear. We emphasize alignment, not volume.
Yes—when there’s strong values alignment—but retreat alumni receive priority because we know them deeply.
We offer two ways to partner, depending on how hands-on you want us to be. 1) Recruiting Foundation ($5,000): A focused, fast-start engagement where we help you define the role, align your team, and build your search plan. 2) Full Search: Contingent Search – 20% of the candidate’s first-year base salary, paid only upon successful placement or Retained Search – 18% of first-year base, split into two payments: half upfront, half upon completion.
We work directly with executives who want clarity and momentum in their next phase. Career Alignment Package ($1,500): Three one-on-one sessions with Devon and Richard to clarify your direction, strengthen your narrative, and design a roadmap for your next role. Search & Professional Development Partner ($380/month): Ongoing monthly coaching, accountability, and introductions to aligned opportunities within our network.