Nonprofit Talent is a boutique executive search firm with a deep understanding of the cultural, political, and economic landscape of our region.

We know the organizations and the people of the region: what it means to work, play and live in our communities. Our clients are located in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland and West Virginia. Our candidates, while nationally recruited, most frequently come from the same communities as our clients.  

NPT is committed to supporting organizations through a leadership transition with a high touch and personal approach. The President of the firm, Michelle Pagano Heck, oversees each engagement with a team assembled from our cadre of search professionals. Three consultants contribute to every search process through research, interviewing, writing, data analysis and client interaction.

Michelle Pagano Heck, President

President and Owner of Nonprofit Talent, Michelle works with the social sector to improve the capacity of organizations through transition management and executive recruitment. Mission-driven, Michelle listens to the needs of clients and works as a partner with organizations to fulfill their vision.

Prior to launching Nonprofit Talent in 2013, Michelle was Senior Consultant with Dewey & Kaye. Previously, Michelle worked as the Executive Director of WQEDfm, Community Relations Director of WQED Multimedia, Director of Development for the Children’s Home, Director of Corporate Relations for the American Cancer Society, and various other positions of leadership in the nonprofit community.

A 2019 Pittsburgh Women of Influence Award recipient, Michelle is a 2021 “Women & Business” honoree of Pittsburgh Magazine. Michelle is also on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO). She is a guest lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon and various associations and organizations.

Michelle graduated from the College of Wooster and received her Master’s Degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

The Team

The Search Consultants of NPT bring passion and commitment to nonprofit leadership transition.  With a focus on working as a team to support the needs of clients, the experience and tenure of NPT consultants ensures high quality research, data analysis, candidate identification and best practices in recruitment.

Sarah Deibler

Sarah Deibler has been part of the Nonprofit Talent team since 2014 following four years in the nonprofit sector and two in accounting. With degrees from Bryn Mawr College and the University of Pittsburgh, she has lent her talents to institutions such as the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and ParenteBeard LLC. Sarah brings a wealth of research and administrative expertise to the team and uses that knowledge to rapidly and effectively respond to clients’ needs. In addition to her work on executive searches, she also serves as the primary administrator for both the Nonprofit Talent website and its sister Job Board. Sarah is a former children’s librarian and directs that passion to supporting literacy organizations in the Pittsburgh region.

Rachel Vinciguerra

Rachel Vinciguerra, part of NPT since 2021, has worked with nonprofit and international organizations for the past seven years focused on gender equity, social inclusion, and program design and evaluation. She has lived and worked in countries including Haiti, Thailand, and India and speaks Haitian Kreyol. Rachel has worked with organizations including the United Nations Development Programme, Strong Women, Strong Girls, YWCA, and The FISA Foundation. She currently serves on the boards of the Jane Addams Peace Association, The Birmingham Foundation, and Write to Be (a girls’ empowerment nonprofit she co-founded in Haiti). She currently leads the Hello Neighbor Network, a coalition of grassroots organizations working with refugees and immigrants across the U.S. convened by Hello Neighbor. She is also a writer and yoga instructor. Rachel has a bachelor’s degree in history from Ohio Wesleyan University and a Master of International Development and Master of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh.

Paige Hepple

Paige has been working in the nonprofit sector for over 15 years. Prior to joining the Nonprofit Talent team in 2013, Paige managed the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute to Enhance Palliative Care. At the Institute, she worked to improve care for seriously ill patients and their families through developing and managing palliative care education and research programs in the region and building stronger community awareness and understanding about this kind of care. Before her work at the University, Paige provided administrative, research and project support for the team at Dewey & Kaye’s executive search and organizational development work. She holds degrees in Writing and French, a certificate in Nonprofit Management, and completed graduate coursework in Public Policy and Management. In addition to her executive search work, Paige consults on executive resumes, particularly for those working in the nonprofit sector and coordinates inpatient neurology clinical research studies looking at upper extremity motor recovery after stroke.

Rebekkah Ranallo

Rebekkah Ranallo joined the Team in 2021 as a leader in coalition building, social impact program delivery, and community and economic development strategy. She brings 15 years of experience and relationships from across the Southwestern Pennsylvania public, private and nonprofit ecosystem. Rebekkah is passionate about achieving results for clients through active listening, empathy-based relationship building, a commitment to lifelong learning, and a fierce love of the details.

Rebekkah served as the Director of External Affairs for Maitri Medicinals, a vertically integrated medical cannabis company. As a member of the founding leadership team, she helped recruit a talented, diverse staff, built the company’s community partnerships, and created a robust marketing and education program. Prior to joining Maitri, she served as the Director of External Relations for Oakland Planning and Development Corporation. At OPDC, she led advocacy, communications, and fundraising to support the organization’s affordable housing, workforce development, and community organizing programs.

Rebekkah’s board and volunteer service includes the Equity Trade Network, Proactive Citizens for Pittsburgh’s Northside, Bidwell Training Center, Tree Pittsburgh, Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, and the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition. She is a bilingual Mexican-American, and a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.