What TM2 Executive Search does

TM2 Executive Search is a retained executive search firm that exclusively serves Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), and Historically Black Community Colleges (HBCCs). Founded in 2016 and operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the firm is headquartered at 901 F Street N.W., Washington D.C., and has completed more than 60 executive searches since inception. Its client base includes institutions such as Southern University System, Fort Valley State University, Paul Quinn College, Cheyney University, Winston-Salem State University, and Arkansas Baptist College, with engagements spanning presidential, vice president, provost, and C-suite placements.

TM2's core offering is retained executive search delivered through a concierge-style, relationship-led process grounded in person-organization fit theory. The firm holds AESC accreditation, was named to Hunt Scanlon Media's Select Guide to America's Top 250 Executive Search Firms in 2025, and reports differentiated placement outcomes: 66% of presidential searches yielding women, 100% of appointments from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds, and a 6.3-year average tenure (approximately 3x the ~2-year HBCU presidential benchmark). Complementary offerings include Executive Services (leadership advisory), Media & Events (thought leadership), AESC accreditation positioning, and an HBCU Board Governance Excellence Initiative funded by a Lumina Foundation grant awarded in March 2026.

TM2 generates revenue primarily through retained executive search fees on a per-engagement basis, billed as multi-year contracts with negotiated rates not publicly disclosed. In March 2026, the firm added a non-dilutive philanthropic revenue stream via the Lumina Foundation grant funding an 18-month governance initiative. Go-to-market is exclusively enterprise direct sales to HBCU boards of trustees, presidents, and chancellors, sourced through TMCF referrals, AESC network visibility, Hunt Scanlon recognition, and direct relationship-building within the Black College Community. There is no proprietary technology platform; the firm operates as a high-judgment professional services practice.

Name

TM2 Executive Search

Legal name

TM² Executive Search

Website

https://tm2search.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TM2 Executive Search is a retained executive search firm exclusively serving HBCUs, PBIs, and HBCCs, operating as a subsidiary of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. It has completed 60+ executive searches and added a Lumina Foundation-funded governance advisory initiative in 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Search Services

NAICS

Executive Search Services (561312), Employment Placement Agencies and Executive Search Services (56131)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Sector, Education & Nonprofit Leadership Search (BPACAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

C-Suite & Board Search (BPACAAAA), Functional Leadership Search (HR/Finance/Legal/Marketing/Sales/Ops) (BPACAAAB)

Keywords

• Executive search services
• Retained search firm
• Higher education leadership
• HBCU executive placement
• Diversity talent acquisition

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Retained Executive Search: TM2 operates as a retained executive search firm engaged by HBCUs, PBIs, and HBCCs to identify and place senior executive leaders (presidents, provosts, C-suite, and other senior administrators). Revenue is generated through retainer fees associated with exclusive, dedicated search engagements. TM2 was also awarded a grant from the Lumina Foundation to fund an 18-month HBCU board governance excellence initiative.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

TM2 Executive Search is a retained executive search firm exclusively dedicated to HBCUs, PBIs, and HBCCs. The firm partners with institutional leadership (boards of trustees, presidents, chancellors) to identify and place senior executive leaders, including presidents, provosts, vice presidents, and C-suite executives, combining 35+ years of Black Higher Ed experience with 15+ years of executive search expertise. The firm operates as the Official Educational Talent Search subsidiary of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF).

Product overview

TM2 Executive Search is a leadership solutions firm exclusively serving HBCUs, PBIs, and HBCCs, operating as a subsidiary of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The core offering is Executive Search services, complemented by Executive Services (leadership advisory), Media & Events (thought leadership), the AESC Accredited Partners program (professional standards), and the HBCU Board Governance Excellence Initiative (Lumina Foundation-funded governance assessments). Since its founding in 2016, the firm has completed over 60 executive searches guided by person-organization fit theory.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Executive Search Specialized retained executive talent acquisition and placement services for HBCUs, PBIs, and HBCCs, including presidential searches, provost placements, vice president placements, and other senior leadership appointments. The firm has completed over 60 executive searches with a focus on diverse candidate placement.
• Executive Services Leadership advisory services complementing executive search, including strategic consulting on leadership development and institutional excellence for the Black College Community.
• HBCU Board Governance Excellence Initiative

Quantifiable outcome

• 66% of presidential searches yielded appointment of a woman; 83% of all searches yielded appointment of a woman
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTM2 Executive Search operates as The Official Educational Talent Search subsidiary of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the nation's largest organization exclusively representing the Black college community. TMCF member schools include publicly supported HBCUs, PBIs, and HBCCs enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending Black colleges and universities. Dr. Harry L. Williams, TMCF President & CEO, has publicly championed TM2's growth and mission.
• Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC)coreOthersTM2 is a proud member of AESC, the gold standard in the executive search industry. AESC membership is not purchased — it is earned through rigorous, ongoing vetting ensuring adherence to the highest levels of ethics, quality, and professionalism. This accreditation reflects TM2's commitment to integrity, transparency, and results-driven practices.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Spencer Stuart: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm with a higher education practice. A broad incumbent rather than direct HBCU peer, but a credible competitor for presidential and senior administrator searches at major universities, including HBCUs.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search firm with an education and social enterprise practice. A broad incumbent competitor that could credibly enter TM2's HBCU niche if the market opportunity grows.
• Korn Ferry: Global executive search and organizational consulting firm. A broad incumbent in the leadership advisory market; competes indirectly for higher-education senior leadership searches and represents a potential threat if it focuses on the HBCU segment.

Direct peers

• Isaacson, Miller: A leading national retained executive search firm specializing in education, nonprofit, and social-impact sectors. Directly comparable because it conducts senior leadership (president/provost) searches for colleges and mission-driven institutions — TM2's President previously worked at a peer firm (True Search) in the same space.
• AGB Search: The executive search arm of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. Directly comparable to TM2 as a higher-education-focused retained search firm serving colleges, universities, and institutional boards — though it serves the full higher-ed market rather than only HBCUs/PBIs/HBCCs.
• WittKieffer: Retained executive search firm with deep higher-education and healthcare practices. Directly comparable as it routinely runs presidential and senior administrator searches for universities and colleges, competing for the same institutional clients as TM2.
• Greenwood/Asher & Associates: Retained executive search firm dedicated to higher education leadership placements. Directly comparable in service line (presidential and senior administrator searches for colleges and universities) and in exclusive focus on the education vertical.
• Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates: Specialist retained search firm focused exclusively on higher education and education-related associations. Closely comparable to TM2 in target market (presidents, provosts, cabinet officers at colleges) and in dedicated education-only positioning.
• True Search: Retained executive search firm with dedicated education and mission-driven practices. Directly comparable in service model; notably, TM2's current President (Dr. Amanda Washington Lockett) previously served on True Search's People, Talent, and Legal team, indicating tight talent and competitive overlap.

Others

• Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF): Not a competitor but the parent/affiliate organization — included because it functions as the dominant ecosystem enabler for HBCUs/PBIs/HBCCs and is the channel through which TM2 sources the majority of its client relationships.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TM2 Executive Search