Naree W. S. Viner
Naree has over two decades of experience in executive recruiting, with an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients. Widely regarded as one of the leading search consultants in the field of arts and culture, Naree possesses particular expertise working with cultural institutions.
Naree places seasoned executives as well as next-generation leaders in critical roles for a variety of clients. She has partnered closely with board members at prominent public and private organizations to identify, develop, and evaluate executive talent. She has recruited chief executives and senior team members at regional, national, and international art, education and social service organizations. She routinely networks internationally to identify and attract candidates.
Prior to joining DSG | Koya, Naree worked at global search firms Korn Ferry and Heidrick & Struggles. She started her search career at a boutique generalist firm in Pasadena, co-leading the firm’s education and nonprofit practice.
Naree has placed many accomplished leaders at art, academic, and cultural institutions across the US and internationally. Representative clients include: American Folk Art Museum; the Clark Art Institute; Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens; Colby College Museum of Art; the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum; Harvard Art Museums; the Kimbell Museum; the Menil Collection; The Phillips Collection; Saint Louis Art Museum; the Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Museum of African Art, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Museum of American History, and SITES (Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service); the University of Michigan Museum of Art; and Yale University Art Gallery.
Before moving into search, Naree gained varied experience spanning nonprofit and for-profit organizations. She began her career at the J. Paul Getty Trust, where she was a principal developer of one of the first websites featuring art images and associated educational materials for K-12 teachers. Naree then spent time in the dot-com arena, serving as producer for the parent channel of a K-12 education web portal and manager of instructional design at an online executive education company. She next became a senior project manager at Crystal Stairs, a nonprofit organization offering childcare services, research, and advocacy in support of families in South Los Angeles.
Naree earned a BA in Art History from Williams College and her MA in Art History from the University of Washington. She has served on the Williams College Alumni Association Executive Committee and has been a Class Agent for over 30 years. Civically involved, Naree is a member of the Westport (CT) Young Women’s League where she served as Chair of the WYWL Grants Committee.
Naree was born in Chicago while her parents were training as doctors; her family later moved back to Bangkok, where they lived for several years before returning to the US. As a result, English was not her first language. She grew up in Northwest Indiana amongst a community of other Thai families who had immigrated to the US. As an Asian-American woman, Naree brings a unique perspective as an executive recruiter with a keen understanding of utilizing cultural competency and expertise in supporting and guiding BIPOC candidates through an executive search process.
