Bio

With more than 25 years of experience building talent acquisition strategies and leading executive search efforts across a broad spectrum of industries, Bettina McDavid is a trusted advisor to boards, C‑suite leaders, and hiring executives seeking high‑impact leadership. As a Senior Leader of Bolton Executive Search, she focuses on transforming organizational potential by connecting the right people at the right time with the right opportunities.

In earlier roles with respected organizations such as McCormick & Company, Ernst & Young, SC&H Group, and RSM, Bettina led global talent acquisition, campus recruiting, employer‑branding, and diversity hiring initiatives. At McCormick, she managed a team, oversaw substantial TA operations, and drove process improvements, filling hundreds of roles annually while significantly reducing external search‑firm reliance and elevating hiring quality and process excellence.

Bettina has built a boutique executive search practice grounded in research-driven outreach, deep industry networks, and a white‑glove candidate and client experience. Her placements span a wide range of functions including marketing, brand, communications, customer success, government relations, information systems, legal, operations, HR, finance, and other leadership roles across middle‑market companies, privately‑held firms, professional services, and mission-driven organizations.

Beyond successfully filling critical roles, Bettina is known for her forward‑thinking mindset: she helps organizations “future‑proof” their leadership benches by identifying emerging talent, anticipating succession gaps, and proactively building pipelines before hiring needs become urgent.

Her consultative, transparent, and integrity‑driven approach makes her a trusted partner for organizations undergoing growth, transformation, or market shifts. Bettina combines strategic perspective with hands‑on execution to ensure a smooth, structured, and highly professional search process from start to finish.

Bettina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Roanoke College, studied abroad in Salzburg, Austria, and is fluent in German. She lives in Baltimore County with her three children and enjoys time at the beach, fitness, and supporting her youngest son’s sports teams.