Ayanna Grady-Hunt

In 2020, Ayanna launched Anise Search to support the advancement of a next generation of emergent leaders. Since then, Anise Search has been honored to partner with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Communities in Schools of GA (CIS of GA) and the Penn Center among others on C-suite level searches.

An Anise Search point of pride is our record of establishing repeat business with clients. As lead consultant, Ayanna has led multiple executive searches for the SPLC, including Director of Learning for Justice and Chief Policy Officer, as well as Active Minds, a national mental health nonprofit, where she has led searches for Senior Director of Marketing and Vice President of Equity and Inclusion.

Another Anise Search point of pride is our flexibility and nimbleness as a boutique firm. Our strength lies in our ability to curate a client and candidate list that mirrors our passions and expertise and also allows us to develop an intimate working relationship and iterative recruiting process with prospects, search chairs, and committees. Particularly, Anise Search clients receive the double benefit of national firm training combined with the agility of a search partner focused on your needs.

Prior to launching Anise Search, Ayanna served for a decade in roles of increasing responsibility with BoardWalk Consulting, a national executive search firm. Before search, Ayanna was a career communications professional, serving with Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin,  the Atlanta Tribune, and the Alliance Theatre. Ayanna holds a B.A. in Journalism, and a M.A. in Practical Theology. She is currently pursuing a PhD in comparative theology and ethics.