Diversity Equity and Inclusion

We believe in the power of people and their unique perspectives.

DEI is our DNA

In 2000, only 3.6% of Fortune 500 CEOs were women and/or people of color. Two decades later, that number had risen… to a whopping 14.2%.

Meanwhile, in 2021, 96% of Ellig Group’s candidate placements contained women and/or diverse executives. Over the last 20 years, 80% of our executive appointments and 85% of our board appointments were women and members of underrepresented communities.

These numbers are real and they are not reactions to recent shifts in public opinion. To Ellig Group – a certified women-owned business and a premiere purpose-driven NYC executive search firm – this is hardly news. We’ve been leaders in the push for diversity and gender parity since our inception as a firm. That’s why we say DEI is our DNA. That is why we want our legacy to be we helped companies achieve gender and diverse parity.

The world has finally realized that diversity is good for business. Diversity is our reality. Equity is our moral compass. And Inclusion is a skill we’ve cultivated over years of practice.

DEI at a Glance

DEI is our Mission, Mandate, and Methodology.

Year after year, the impact is clear.

0 %

diversity placements in 2021

# 0

the only Top 10 recruiting firm that is women-founded and women-led

0 %

of our team are women/diverse

Say it–Target It–Measure It. Janice Reals Ellig speaks to CCTV America

Ellig Group's DEI Ripple Effect

Ellig Group’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion informs and motivates our executive and board search processes at every step. We cultivate relationships with external organizations and their diverse networks.

We present the most outstanding candidates and never marginalize any group. We help build strong organizational cultures with talented leaders. We never compromise and always overdeliver.

Our commitment is stronger than ever

At Ellig Group, we work at every turn to build partnerships with our clients and candidates that reflect values of DEI as well as foster environments of belonging and accountability. Just as the public conversation about DEI continues to evolve, so does our expertise, under the leadership of one of the most diverse executive teams in the search industry.

Leadership Insights

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Leo Tilman & General Jacoby – Smart Corporate Infrastructure

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Episode 47: David Chun

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Your business transformation starts with a conversation

Janice Reals Ellig

Chief Executive Officer

As the head of the Ellig Group, Janice is dedicated to increasing the placement of women and diverse candidates on corporate boards and in C-suites by 2025. Janice joined the legacy firm in 2000 and became Co-Chief Executive Officer in its transition to Chadick Ellig in 2007; she assumed sole ownership of the company as the Ellig Group in 2017 with a new focus on Reimagining Search. Prior to her career in executive search, Janice spent 20 years in corporate America at Pfizer, Citi and Ambac Financial Group, an IPO from Citibank, where she was responsible for Marketing, Human Resources, and Administration.

Heralded by Bloomberg Businessweek as one of “The World’s Most Influential Headhunters,” Janice is often consulted for her expertise and her commitment to gender parity, inclusion, and diversity. She frequently appears at speaking engagements and as a media guest, and she has penned multiple articles for outlets such as Directors & Boards, Directorship, Corporate Director, The Huffington Post, and Forbes.com. Janice also co-authored two books: Driving The Career Highway and What Every Successful Woman Knows, acknowledged by Bloomberg Businessweek as “the best of its genre.”

A tirelessly active member of the industry and champion of her causes, Janice is Founder of the Women’s Forum of New York’s Corporate Board Initiative and its signature event, Breakfast of Corporate Champions. Since 2011, Janice continues to spearhead this event to honor companies committed to board diversity and to encourage CEOs to sponsor board-ready women for the Women’s Forum database. (LINK: www.womensforumny.org).

Janice is personally committed to several NFP organizations: Board Director of the National YMCA and Past Chair of the YMCA Board of Greater New York; Trustee of the Actors Fund and Committee For Economic Development (CED); Incoming Chair, University of Iowa Foundation; Women’s Forum of New York Past President and Chair of the Corporate Board Initiative; member of the Steering Committee, US 30% Club and The Economic Club of New York.

In recognition for her many philanthropic activities, Janice received the University of Iowa Distinguished Alumni Award in 2011 and the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) Eleanor Raynolds Award for Volunteerism in 2008. Named one of the “21 Leaders for the 21st Century” by Women’s eNews, she was also a recipient of the Channel 21 Award In Excellence for her contribution to “Excellence in the Economic Development for Women.”

“Listening to our clients’ needs, learning their business and understanding their culture is how we present the best talent and provide a competitive advantage. We place candidates with the character, competencies, commitment, (intellectual) curiosity and courage to make a difference. Our goal is always to go beyond the expected and deliver valuable advice, measurable results and great talent!”

– Janice Reals Ellig

Champion of gender parity, diversity, and inclusion
Industry expert, speaker, and author
Founder of the Women’s Forum of New York’s Corporate Board Initiative
Committed board and committee member and philanthropist

T: (212) 688-8671 ext. 226
E: Janice@ElligGroup.com