Keith Southerland

Keith Southerland is the Managing Director at Focus Search Partners, a division of Vaco, where he has been since the acquisition of his previous firm, Southerland Group, in October 2021. He brings nearly four decades of experience in executive search, particularly in the healthcare sector, having conducted over 1,100 searches for various healthcare organizations, including multi-hospital health systems, academic medical centers, and managed care organizations.12

Career Background

Southerland began his career in executive search as a consultant for Witt/Kieffer, where he played a significant role in establishing the firm’s first regional office in Dallas, Texas, in 1985. He later became the Executive Vice President, overseeing all search practices across various sectors, including healthcare and higher education. After his tenure at Witt/Kieffer, he served as a Senior Partner at Korn Ferry International, focusing on high-profile CEO and COO searches for healthcare systems nationwide. In 2013, he founded Southerland Group, which specialized in executive search for healthcare organizations before its acquisition by Focus Search Partners.12

Education and Affiliations

Keith Southerland holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs from Indiana University and an MBA from the University of Dallas. He is also an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, reflecting his commitment to the healthcare management profession.12

His extensive background and leadership in healthcare executive recruitment have established him as a respected figure in the industry, known for delivering high-quality service and maintaining strong client relationships.2