What if every leadership transition sparked transformation?
That’s the heart of Avra.
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Founder & Managing Partner
Career: Chartise Clark is a proven executive recruiter and leadership advisor specializing in social impact and nonprofit organizations. Over the past 12+ years, she has built a career that spans every facet of executive search and nonprofit recruiting, from early operational roles to senior leadership, giving her a 360-degree perspective on what it takes to lead effective, inclusive searches. Her expertise includes CEO, President, Executive Director, and senior leadership searches across sectors including philanthropy, arts and culture, advocacy, education, and human services.
Chartise began her search career as a recruitment coordinator and advanced steadily, holding positions that encompassed research, project management, and ultimately Managing Director roles. She spent nearly 8 years at one of the nation’s premiere nonprofit executive search firms during a period of remarkable growth, where she contributed to the firm’s scaling and transformation as it tripled in staff size, expanded nationally, and underwent strategic acquisitions and ultimately, a major acquisition by a global legacy firm. In every role, Chartise focused on embedding equity-centered practices into the search process, championing diverse leadership pipelines, and partnering with clients to build executive and boards teams reflective of their missions.
To date, Chartise has led over 150 executive searches for mission-driven organizations across the U.S. and globally. She is known for her ability to connect high-impact organizations with visionary, values-driven leaders, and for her strategic counsel on governance, succession planning, and leadership development. Her clients include organizations working at the forefront of racial justice, LGBTQ+ advocacy, climate action, education equity, and community development.
Board & Volunteer Service: Chartise is passionate about community engagement in her home communities on the West Side of Chicago and in Brooklyn, NY. She serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of Center on Halsted, the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ+ community center. She previously chaired the Compensation Committee and served on the Development Committee.
Chartise is also the co-founder of the West Side Giving Circle, supported by the Chicago Foundation for Women. Her previous volunteer roles include service with the Women’s Board of the Chicago Urban League and the Joffrey Ballet’s Auxiliary Board.
Education: Chartise holds a BA with thesis honors from Tufts University and pursued graduate studies in business and organizational development at Howard University.
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Sector Advisor: Philanthropy, Performing Arts & Organizational Transformation
Blake-Anthony Johnson contributes as a Sector Advisor philanthropy, performing arts, and organizational transformation, guiding turnaround and change management strategy for Avra Search Partners.Career
Blake-Anthony Johnson serves as CEO of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, where he advances the intersection of cultural heritage, community empowerment, and economic development. A recognized leader in the arts and civic sectors, he was named to the New Orleans CityBusiness 2025 New Executives Power List and honored in The New Orleans 500 for shaping regional economic growth. His leadership has been celebrated with the 2025 Titan Awards, the 2023 Black Men in Excellence Award, and numerous fellowships from Harvard Business School Club of Chicago, University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and Leadership Greater Chicago.Previously, Johnson served as President & CEO of Chicago Sinfonietta, a nationally recognized leader in equity-driven arts leadership. Under his tenure, the orchestra expanded its community impact through initiatives like the Artist-in-Residence program and the Freeman Fellowship. He introduced the Pay-What-You-Can Program, removing economic barriers to arts access and serving as a national model cited by The New York Times. His tenure also saw Chicago Sinfonietta’s first major tour in over a decade and establishment of the historic Auditorium Theatre as its new home.
A former cellist who performed internationally with ensembles including Chineke! Orchestra and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Johnson integrates his artistry with an executive vision focused on culturally responsive, community-centered leadership. His early career included advisory roles with Carnegie Hall and El Sistema, with a strong commitment to expanding access to music education in underserved communities.
Board and Volunteer Service
Johnson’s board service reflects his commitment to culturally inclusive leadership, serving organizations advancing arts, heritage, and community development. He sits on the boards of The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, the League of American Orchestras, and Vanderbilt University’s Dean’s Advisory Circle. His civic involvement includes Co-Chairing Chicago’s Cultural Advisory Council, leading cultural diplomacy initiatives in Japan and Canada, and contributing to World Business Chicago’s economic development strategy. His leadership extends to The Sir Georg Solti Foundation U.S. and the Toronto Sister City Committee.Education
Johnson holds a Bachelor of Music from Vanderbilt University, a Master of Music from Cleveland State University, and a Professional Studies Certificate from Manhattan School of Music. He trained under mentors including Felix Wang, Bryan Dumm, and Alan Harrell. -
Sector Advisor: Board Governance, Political Advocacy, and Guest Experience Innovation
Victor Ravago advises in board governance, political advocacy, and guest experience leadership, specializing in transformational change and culturally responsive hospitality strategy.
Career
Victor Ravago is Co-Founder and CEO of Bravo Hospitality Group, a Midwest-based hotel ownership company focused on guest-centered experiences and operational excellence. With nearly two decades of leadership across hospitality and advocacy sectors, Ravago brings a unique lens to equitable business practices and community-centered development. His career began with immigrant rights advocacy as a founding member of the San Diego Dream Team, working to advance social and economic justice for immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities of color—a commitment that continues to shape his leadership today.In the hospitality sector, Ravago serves as Treasurer-Secretary of the Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association and sits on the policy committee of the Illinois Hotel Association, shaping industry standards and legislative priorities.
His combined expertise in commercial hospitality and community advocacy positions him as a leader in strategic guest experience and inclusive community engagement.
Board and Volunteer Service
A longtime advocate for LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities, Ravago currently serves a repeat term as Finance Chair for Center on Halsted, the Midwest’s largest LGBTQ+ community center, where he previously served as Board Chair.Nationally, he has served on the boards of United We Dream, the San Diego LGBT Community Center, and the Human Rights Campaign’s Board of Governors, advancing intersectional equity and justice.
His prior public service includes a mayoral appointment by Pete Buttigieg to the St. Joseph County Hotel Motel Tax Board, supporting strategic tourism and economic initiatives.
Education
Ravago holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from California State University, East Bay, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame.
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Sector Advisor: Nonprofit Strategy, Organizational Development, and Humanitarian Leadership
Breanna Rodriguez advises in nonprofit strategy, organizational development, and humanitarian leadership, with a focus on equity-informed practices and capacity-building for human service organizations.
Career
Breanna Rodriguez is a nonprofit strategist and organizational leader with extensive experience guiding human service organizations through strategic planning, leadership transitions, and capacity-building initiatives. With extensive experience in both domestic and international NGO sectors, Rodriguez offers end-to-end expertise across the program cycle—from conceptualization to closeout. She specializes in leadership transitions, strategic planning, grant acquisition, and operational improvements that enhance impact.Rodriguez currently serves as Interim Executive Director at Firebird Community Arts, leading through a period of organizational transition. Her prior leadership roles include managing disaster relief and humanitarian initiatives across Latin America and the Caribbean with Save the Children International and the American Red Cross. She has directed emergency response, climate resilience, and migration programs in six countries, overseeing multi-million dollar grants and U.S. government funding while managing multicultural, multilingual teams.
Her humanitarian experience also includes directing recovery efforts in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria, where she led long-term recovery programs impacting over 3.5 million residents, managing teams, grants, and community-based recovery projects.
Rodriguez’s work emphasizes operational efficiency, community resilience, and equitable access to resources, with consulting roles at organizations such as Heartland Alliance International and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
Board and Volunteer Service
Throughout her career, Rodriguez has led capacity-building and leadership coaching for nonprofits supporting immigrant, refugee, and marginalized communities. She co-founded the Chicago Immigrant Transportation Assistance initiative and has developed leadership workshops focused on community resilience and inclusion.Education
Rodriguez holds a Master of Science in International Public Service from DePaul University. She earned dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Sociology and Spanish Language & Literature from Northeastern Illinois University, including study abroad experience at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. -
Sector Advisor: Operations Strategy, Government Relations, and Wealth Equity Innovation
Marcus Switzer advises clients in operational strategy, government relations, and wealth equity innovation, with a focus on cross-sector leadership and system-level transformation.
Career
Marcus Switzer brings deep experience advising public, private, and nonprofit leaders on operational strategy, stakeholder engagement, and wealth-building initiatives. Most recently, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at the U.S. Department of Transportation under Secretary Pete Buttigieg, overseeing core operations and guiding agency-wide priorities across a $140 billion budget and 57,000-person workforce. His portfolio included external stakeholder strategy, wealth equity initiatives, and systems optimization to drive organizational effectiveness.Previously, Switzer served as Deputy Chief of Protocol of the United States at the U.S. Department of State, managing ceremonial, diplomatic, and international engagement with global leaders in coordination with the President, Vice President, and Secretary of State.
A veteran of political fundraising and development strategy, Switzer directed the record-breaking $22.1 million raised for the Biden-Harris Transition team and led major fundraising efforts for the Pete for America presidential campaign, securing over $100 million. As Executive Director of Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s Win the Era organization, he guided the transition from presidential campaign to leadership PAC and 501(c)(4) entity.
Earlier in his career, Switzer served at Valor Equity Partners, where he co-led the firm’s $1 billion capital raise for its fourth fund, driving investor strategy and communications. His work focused on institutionalizing scalable marketing and investor engagement systems.
Switzer’s political leadership includes key roles with Hillary for America, where he raised over $55 million as Deputy National Finance Director, and prior positions supporting Mrs. Obama’s When We All Vote, the Collective PAC, Collective Future, and Congresswoman Lucy McBath’s campaign.
Board and Volunteer Service
Switzer’s civic engagement spans political, economic, and community development sectors, with past service on finance and advisory committees for national campaigns and community-based initiatives focused on racial equity and wealth-building.Education
Switzer earned his Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Studies and Psychology from Duke University. -
Sector Advisor: Community Investment, Financial Inclusion, and Capital Strategy
Tiffany Taylor advises in community investment, financial inclusion, and capital strategy, with a focus on expanding access to capital and supporting economic mobility in historically underserved communities.
Career
Tiffany Taylor is Executive Director of C3 Impact Fund, where she leads strategic planning and capital raising to advance mission-driven investments. Her career has been defined by a commitment to economic justice and capital accessibility, working to bridge funding gaps for communities of color and low-to-moderate income populations.Prior to joining C3 Impact Fund, Taylor served as Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Investment Officer for Wintrust Financial, managing a $200 million+ investment portfolio spanning multiple asset classes including CDFI loan pools, Small Business Investment Companies, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and Equity Equivalent Investments. Her work focused on capital deployment strategies that foster affordable housing, small business growth, and workforce development in disinvested neighborhoods.
Earlier in her career, Taylor built her credit and underwriting expertise through roles in middle market lending, franchise financing, capital markets, and wealth services at Wintrust Financial and J.P. Morgan. Her investment leadership extended to governance roles, including serving as Loan Committee Chair for Community Investment Corporation’s (CIC) 1-4 Unit Loan Committee and as a Loan Committee Member for CIC’s Multifamily Lending Program.
A certified Money Smart instructor, Taylor actively facilitates financial literacy workshops designed to support economic empowerment in undercapitalized communities.
Board and Volunteer Service
Taylor serves on the Associate Board of One Million Degrees (OMD), supporting community college students from low-income backgrounds to build pathways to economic security. She is also a leadership mentor, fostering professional development for emerging leaders.Education
Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics from DePaul University and is a 2019 graduate of the IMPACT Leadership Development Program, a joint initiative of Chicago Urban League and University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Why Avra?
At its root, Avra means "breeze" or "aura" in several languages, representing a subtle yet powerful force of movement and presence. We chose this name to reflect our belief that transformation can be intentional and human-centered. Like a breeze, change can be steady, refreshing, and forward-moving without being disruptive.
As a Black and queer-led search firm, Avra reflects our commitment to bringing in leadership that reshapes industries and uplifts communities. We aim not just to fill positions but to facilitate leadership transitions that feel like fresh air: vital, restorative, and catalytic.
Avra is more than a name. It is our philosophy: change with presence, purpose, and ease.
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Whether you’re exploring new leadership, navigating change, or building a more inclusive future, we’d love to connect. Reach out to start a conversation.