Making the right hire can make or break a nonprofit. In this episode of the Nonprofit Counsel Podcast, host May Harris speaks with Trevor Blair, principal of Blair Search Partners, about the high cost of a bad hire, the first 90 days, and why human-centered recruiting is the future. From legal foundations and culture to executive search and staff retention, Trevor shares insights on building strong teams, avoiding costly mistakes, and leading with intention.

What You Will Learn in This Episode

• ✅ Why a bad hire can cost 2–5x the candidate’s annual salary

• ✅ The importance of the first 90 days for new nonprofit leaders

• ✅ How legal and cultural foundations prepare nonprofits for successful hiring

• ✅ Why human-centered recruiting helps attract and retain top nonprofit talent
  
  

👉 Want templates and step-by-step nonprofit leadership training
→ https://nonprofitcounsel.com/leadership-accelerator

Key Timestamps

• 00:00   Trevor Blair of Blair Search Partners

• 03:02   Executive search tailored for nonprofits

• 05:01   Why nonprofits can’t afford not to invest in search

• 08:08   The real cost of a bad hire

• 09:16   The first 90 days: success or failure window

• 12:02   Legal and cultural readiness before hiring

• 17:02   Retention beyond salary: mentoring, flexibility, and culture

• 29:15   Human-centered design in nonprofit recruiting
  
  

Key Takeaways

🔷 Bad hires are expensive – Costs can run 2–5x annual salary when you factor in turnover, productivity loss, and onboarding.
🔷 The first 90 days matter most – Leaders set the tone, build trust, and determine long-term success in this window.
🔷 Culture and mentorship drive retention – Beyond salary, employees value growth opportunities and strong leadership support.
🔷 Human-centered hiring works – Putting candidates at the center builds trust and attracts stronger, more diverse talent.

Guest Bio

Trevor Blair is the principal of Blair Search Partners, an executive search and recruiting firm based in San Diego that works exclusively with nonprofits and public agencies nationwide. Since 2016, Trevor and his team have specialized in helping organizations of all sizes—from startups to multi-billion-dollar agencies—recruit and retain top talent. With a focus on human-centered design, Blair Search Partners ensures that both organizations and candidates thrive in their partnerships.

Resource Links

• Nonprofit Counsel Website
  

• The First 90 Days – Book
  
  

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