Our Approach
Building an exceptional board begins long before the search.
We start with the company
Most board searches start with candidates. We start with the company.
That’s why every Varuna Strategies engagement begins with discovery, not recruitment.
At Varuna Strategies, we believe the effectiveness of a board depends on how well it reflects the organization’s strategy, leadership, opportunities, and future challenges. Before we identify a single candidate, we invest the time to understand where the business is today and where it aspires to be tomorrow.
That foundation leads to stronger board performance more effective governance, and greater long-term value.
Tom Shields, CEO of Shields Health
- Approximately a year ago, we began interviewing candidates for our Board of Advisors. It was a long and time-consuming process but, I can tell you, it was well worth it! The board is engaged, focused and thoughtful. The dialogue continues to improve with keen insights and unique perspectives. Brian has proven to be a great chairman and a tremendous resource for me. The family will be meeting with the board in August which I'm excited about.... I really believe it will help make us better shareholders and custodians of our enterprise. I want to thank you for your leadership. You never questioned the value of the Board of Advisors and the promise it can fulfill.
We immerse ourselves in your business.
Every engagement begins with discovery.
We meet with company leadership, board members, owners, and key stakeholders to understand your business, industry, competitive environment, growth strategy, and governance objectives.
Together, we evaluate questions such as:
- Where is the company headed over both the short term and long term?
- What capabilities already exist on the board?
- Where are the experience and expertise gaps?
- What experience, perspective, judgment and other attributes will create the greatest value going forward?
Only after those questions are addressed do we create a board specification and begin the process of identifying potential board candidates.
We provide independent, objective advice.
Effective governance requires independent thinking.
Our recommendations are not driven by personal agendas or pre-selected candidate lists. We provide candid advice based on what will best serve the company, its shareholders, and its long-term success.
Sometimes that means challenging assumptions. Sometimes it means confirming the right course of action.
Either way, our role is to provide objective counsel throughout the engagement.
We recruit for fit, not just credentials.
Strong resumes do not necessarily create strong boards.
We evaluate candidates not only for their experience, expertise and accomplishments, but also for how they will contribute to the board as a whole. Judgment, independence, critical thinking, character and the ability to challenge constructively all matter.
Our objective is not simply to fill a seat.
It is to strengthen the effectiveness of your board.
Performance is the outcome.
Every recommendation we make supports one goal:
Helping organizations build a more effective board that makes a company successful
An effective board improves governance, sharpens strategic thinking, expands leadership capability, helps identify and manage risk and positions an organization for sustainable growth.
That is the work we do every day.
Why Companies Choose Varuna Strategies
- Deep immersion in every client’s business before recruitment begins
- Independent, governance-focused advice throughout the engagement
- Direct involvement from senior leadership on every assignment
- Board recruitment driven by strategy—not databases
- Senior-level personalized service without the bureaucracy of a large executive search firm
- A disciplined process focused on long-term board performance
Every successful board search follows a disciplined process.
Explore how Varuna Strategies guides organizations from board assessment through candidate recruitment and successful placement.