About

Quick Leonard Kieffer (QLK) is a retained executive search firm with unparalleled experience and expertise in finding leaders for hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, healthcare associations and professional societies, life sciences and insurance companies, and non-profit organizations and foundations. QLK is led by Founder and Chairman, Roger Quick, and President and CEO, Steve Derks. In addition, the firm boasts a talented team of managing partners and principals — all supported by an excellent research and production team. To learn more about the consultants who could best align with your needs, please visit the Consultant tab at the top of the page, where their individual biographies may be accessed.

QLK was founded in 1999 by a group of experienced executive search consultants committed to creating a niche firm that would help clients find and recruit top leadership for their critical healthcare and non-profit missions. From the beginning, QLK has focused on understanding client needs, remaining nimble and responsive, and ensuring the quality execution of searches; these are key reasons that our search consultants choose to be part of our team.

As a privately held firm, our only accountability is responsiveness to the needs of our clients; because of our choice to remain privately held, our clients and candidates receive our undivided attention.

In fact, 81 percent of our assignments come from repeat clients, while 90 percent of our follow-up client surveys rate our work as “superior to” other firms they have used in the past. We attribute this success to the dogged determination, market knowledge, and depth of experience and networks our executive search professionals bring to the process. Our goal is to serve our clients beyond their immediate recruitment needs; we strive to be partners for long-term success, based on our ability to build trusting and lasting relationships. We view our clients and our candidates as partners in search…for exceptional leaders™.

Search Success Rate

97%

Search Completion Rate

93%

Three-Year Retention Rate

62%

of all our placements are diverse


The work of QLK is guided by our vision to achieve a 100% satisfaction rate from our clients and candidates through successful long-term placements. We truly view ourselves as partners in the search process, and are committed to walking alongside our clients every step of the way, including through the onboarding stage and beyond.

We Invest Time in Your Organization

We take the time to get to know you – your needs, goals, challenges, and market, and what is unique about your organization.

Our Searches Are Executed by Experienced Search Consultants

With us, your search is handled directly by the senior consultant you know and hired.

We Limit Our Number of Simultaneous Searches

Consultants in our firm work on a limited number of engagements simultaneously. We believe every client deserves focused attention and sustained momentum.

Leadership

Roger A. Quick

Founder & Chairman

Steven M. Derks

President & Chief Executive Officer

Lisa Underwood

Vice President of Finance & Operations

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Need Help Finding A Strategic Leader?

If you are interested in learning more about Quick Leonard Kieffer’s service offerings, please complete the Contact Form or call (312) 876-9800 to speak to a QLK representative.

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