The Nature Conservancy

Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is one of the largest conversation organisations in the world with a mission to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. TNC is committed to a culturally diverse workforce throughout its global office network.

Client:  The Nature Conservancy

Service:  Exclusive Executive Search

Role:  Associate Director of Development, Asia Pacific

Placement:  Mike Liu

Challenge

TNC needed to strengthen its Asian donor network with the appointment of an Associate Director of Development, Asia Pacific, based in Sydney, to meet fundraising objectives, collaborate with the Asia Pacific team and travel to the Asia Pacific region. The ideal candidate profile was very specific with rare skillsets, including the requirement to be a native Mandarin Chinese speaker.


The ideal candidate also had to have an in-depth understanding of donor development strategies and proven revenue generation or fundraising experience. In addition, TNC required an experienced client relationship manager who had nurtured relationships to deliver positive financial outcomes with a strong finance background.

Solution

TNC approached NGO Recruitment Asia Pacific with this challenging assignment given our proven international search capabilities and proficiency in Mandarin. We designed an advertising strategy targeting relationship managers in Australian banks and financial institutions, Mandarin-speaking NFP professionals and fundraising executives. Very few candidates met all the criteria for this position. Our extensive search process made sure we uncovered and screened all potential candidates.

Results

2-month executive search campaign - from brief to placement

100 applications

Shortlist of six senior candidates all selected for interview

Mike Liu, a native Mandarin speaker and Chartered Financial Analyst, was successfully appointed

A strong client relationship manager with leading financial institutions and familiar with both the NFP and corporate sectors, Mike was the ideal candidate and continues to thrive in his role

< Previous article

Next article >

More Case Studies

Yellow daffodils in full bloom against a blue sky with clouds.

Cancer Council Victoria

By Shazamme System User • January 9, 2026
Cancer Council Victoria is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to reduce the impact of cancer in Victoria. It is an independent body that advises various groups, including government, on cancer-related issues.
Four women in discussion, two are looking at each other, one holds a coffee cup, and another is in the background smiling.

Butterfly Foundation

By Shazamme System User • January 9, 2026
Founded in 2002 by Claire Middleton, a mother of two daughters who had suffered from anorexia nervosa, Butterfly Foundation is the national charity for all Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them.
White cat being held by a person wearing a

Four Paws

By Shazamme System User • January 9, 2026
FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. The organisation’s vision is a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding.