Carmel Napolitano is a Principal at ZRG, Aspen Leadership Group, focused on executive search and talent advisory for nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. With a network that spans local to global reach, she has completed leadership searches across advocacy, arts and culture, economic development, education, environmental, global health, and human services sectors.

Carmel built her foundation in higher education and nonprofit fundraising at the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University. Since entering executive search in 2003, she has led senior‐level leadership searches across advocacy, arts and culture, economic development, education, environmental, global health, and human services organizations, placing transformative leaders at mission-driven institutions nationwide and internationally.

Carmel partners with boards and senior leaders to place CEO, President, and Executive Director talent who can navigate complexity and deliver lasting impact. Her search completion rate is above average, and the leaders she places remain in their roles for an average of six years or more. She brings deep expertise in higher education, advocacy, international NGOs, donor advised funds, and arts and culture organizations. Actively engaged in the sector, Carmel has served on the boards of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater New York, Women in Development New York, Angelica Patient Assistance Program, and Dance to Unite, and currently serves on the national advisory board of Women of Color in Philanthropy.

Carmel is based in ZRG’s New York City office. She holds degrees from Villanova University and the University of Pennsylvania.

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