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Case Study: Guided by Culture, Driven by Mission: UAII CEO Placement
Company Background
United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII) was founded in 1974 by Marian Zucco (Paiute) and Babba Cooper (Lakota) in response to the challenges created by the Indian Relocation Act of 1956. Based in Los Angeles, the city with the largest American Indian population in the U.S., UAII remains the only Urban Indian health center in the region.
For nearly 50 years, UAII has provided culturally competent healthcare and social services by integrating traditional healing with modern medicine. Its programs address health disparities, housing instability, and intergenerational trauma while promoting wellness through ceremony, language, and cultural identity. Today, UAII continues to be a vital resource for urban American Indians, honoring resilience and strengthening community for future generations.
The Challenge
UAII faced a revolving door of CEOs who struggled to understand and champion the organization’s mission. Leadership drifted away from the organization’s core mandate of healthcare delivery and leaned heavily into community programs. As a result, UAII began losing critical government funding earmarked for Native Tribal Health Organizations.
The board recognized the urgent need for a new CEO who could restore focus, secure funding, and unify stakeholders under a shared vision.
Failed Attempts
UAII had partnered with search firms in the past but found little success. Prior firms, operating on a contingent model, delivered unqualified candidates without true engagement or partnership. After repeated misalignments, the UAII board decided to engage Cowen Partners Executive Search on a retained basis, seeking a more strategic and hands-on approach.
Our Approach
Strategic Partnership
Cowen Partners Executive Search began with a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process, including:
- Hosting a town hall with board members, tribal leadership, staff, and the Los Angeles Native community. This created transparency, trust, and alignment around the CEO profile.
- Conducting confidential surveys and one-on-one interviews with key leaders, including the retired Tribal Chief, the Board Chair, and individual board members. This surfaced critical insights about past leadership challenges and expectations for the future.
- Developing a detailed candidate scorecard to objectively evaluate all finalists, including the interim CEO, who was also a candidate. This ensured fairness, rigor, and community buy-in at every stage.
This process produced a candidate profile that reflected not only operational needs, but also cultural values and the unique role UAII plays for the 145,000 Native youth, adults, and elders it serves in Los Angeles County.
The Solution
Placement: John R. Reeves, CEO
Cowen Partners Executive Search successfully recruited John R. Reeves, a Native healthcare executive with over 20 years of experience leading Tribal healthcare organizations. A proven “fix-it” leader, Reeves specialized in turnaround strategies, funding stability, and sustainable healthcare transformation.
As a Native leader himself, Reeves brought lived experience and deep cultural understanding to the role, making the mission personal. His vision and track record gave the UAII board and community immediate confidence.
Results & Impact
- Time to Hire: Three months from engagement to offer.
- Engagement signed: March 16, 2025
- Offer extended: June 13, 2025
- Engagement signed: March 16, 2025
- Community Buy-In: Immediate approval from stakeholders, board members, and the broader Native community.
- Operational Improvements: Reeves implemented a daily structure, served as the single point of accountability, stabilized funding, and began building out a sustainable leadership team.
Cultural Alignment: As Reeves stated, “UAII’s dedicated team has provided life-changing, comprehensive services in the urban Los Angeles community for over 50 years. I’ve dedicated my career to the integration of medicine with culturally grounded, holistic care, and I look forward to working in this community to continue to provide these critical services in a way that honors and strengthens Native traditional values.”
Outcome
- Community-Driven Process: Heavy stakeholder involvement required close communication and coordination to avoid delays. Cowen Partners Executive Search and the UAII Board Chair maintained consistent touchpoints to keep the search on track.
- Sensitive Candidate Pool: The interim CEO was also a finalist. Cowen Partners Executive Search handled this with objectivity and respect, ensuring she was fairly considered while preventing conflict or bias. The use of candidate scorecards proved invaluable in guiding the final decision.
Results
Client Feedback
- “Wow!!!! John is definitely a good hire.” – Hope Craig-Corlew, Board Chairwoman, United American Indian Involvement, Inc.
- From UAII’s press release: “We are excited to welcome John as the new CEO of UAII in this important time for our community and organization. His visionary leadership and passion have already had a lasting impact on healthcare in Indian Country, making him the ideal candidate to lead UAII with integrity, innovation, and a profound commitment to our communities.”
Final Thoughts
This was a highly complex and sensitive search requiring cultural fluency, transparency, and trust-building with the Native community. By partnering deeply with stakeholders, honoring UAII’s history, and committing to a rigorous, values-driven process, Cowen Partners Executive Search was able to deliver not just a CEO but the right leader to guide UAII into its next chapter.
About Cowen Partners Executive Search
Cowen Partners Executive Search is a premier executive search firm in all 50 states, delivering top-tier talent to help organizations achieve their strategic objectives. We provide access to the top 1% of leaders across industries, specializing in C-Suite and board placements.
With proven processes and guaranteed results, Cowen Partners Executive Search has successfully placed hundreds of executives across various industries, including manufacturing, technology, financial services, healthcare, and private equity. Contact us to discover how we can assist you in finding world-class talent to drive your success.
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