Our Experienced Recruiting Team

DRG was originally founded in 1987 by David Edell and Linda Low in response to their concern about the personnel crisis in the nonprofit sector.

DRG Partners

"Having worked in nonprofit organizations and been members of nonprofit Boards, we recognize that what search committees want is confidence in our expertise and judgment . . . and in our capability to conduct and complete top level searches. We´ve developed an approach and the resources designed to build that confidence. Our references and referrals speak volumes about the results."

- David E. Edell, President

David Edell, President and cofounder of the Development Resource Group, views his work at DRG as a natural extension of his successful career in nonprofit management, consulting and fundraising.

Mr. Edell's own priority, as well as the firm's, is the conducting of high-level, creative executive searches. He is involved in developing the strategies and monitoring the progress of all senior executive searches conducted by the Development Resource Group. His own portfolio reflects DRG's growth areas which include the recruiting of CEOs and development specialists, as well as work with human services, public policy and Jewish community organizations and foundations.

Mr. Edell lectures and writes often on hiring trends, recruitment and retention strategies, organization change, management, human relations, communications, fundraising and leadership development. He has advised many agencies and professional associations and is often sought out by media to discuss topics affecting the nonprofit sector.

A graduate of Boston University, with an M.S.W. from the University of Maryland's School of Social Work and Community Planning, Mr. Edell spent twelve years in several senior executive positions at the UJA-Federation of New York before founding DRG.

David Hinsley Cheng, DRG's Managing Partner, conducts searches nationally for chief executive officers and C-suite staff executives. While he has worked within all sectors of the nonprofit sector including human services and advocacy organizations, David's practice has centered on working with boards of national voluntary health organizations, grant-making foundations, and hospital foundations.

Prior to joining DRG in 1995, David served as a nonprofit executive and board member to organizations such as Artists Space, H.T. Dance Company, and The Center for Modern Dance Education. David is a TAAC Fellowship Recipient for Talented Arts Managers and served as a panelist for the New York State Council for the Arts Dance Partnership Program.

As DRG's Managing Partner, David also oversees the firm's daily operations, marketing, and branding efforts. He has also been an invited speaker at the regional and national conferences for Association for Fundraising Professionals, at New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies, the Heyman Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising, and the Center for Nonprofit Management at Baruch College. In addition to his work with AFP, David is also a member of the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy.

A graduate of New York University, David holds academic degrees in both Economics and Political Science.