ABOUT US

Martha Montag Brown

Martha founded Martha Montag Brown & Associates, LLC more than 25 years ago, after a successful career in philanthropy and corporate affairs heading up the Levi Strauss Foundation and global Community Affairs group.

Since launching her own business, Martha has worked with more than 60 foundations, companies and nonprofits nationally. Having worked directly in foundation and corporate social responsibility roles earlier in her career, Martha brings unique insight into the field and a deep national network of colleagues and experts. She has advised a wide range of organizations from some of the world's most recognized corporate philanthropic and social responsibility brands to start up foundations and family philanthropic organizations.

Prior to starting her executive search business, Martha served as Executive Director of the Levi Strauss Foundation and Director of Community Affairs. In this role, she led a staff of 25, managed an annual giving program of more than $20 million, and had responsibility for seven offices in the United States, Asia, Europe and Canada. She had lead responsibility for all of Levi Strauss & Co.'s many philanthropic and charitable functions, as well as local government and community relations efforts.

Martha received her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University, where she currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Regents. She is active in advocacy and fund-raising efforts to secure more funding for research, and the development of treatments and a cure for Myotonic Dystrophy, a rare genetic disease that has significantly impacted her family. She is the Vice-Chair of the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation, and has served on, and chaired several other non-profit boards. In addition, she has served on the Council on Foundation's Committee on Inclusiveness which addresses issues of diversity in philanthropy. She has donated many hours, and the resources of her practice, to numerous pro bono searches for a variety of non-profit organizations. Martha and her husband live in La Cañada, CA, and she is the mother of three adult children who all work in technology.

Elissa Kittner

Elissa has spent the last 15 years working in the executive search field with a focus on senior level searches in philanthropy and corporate responsibility. Elissa came to executive search after working directly in the field of corporate responsibility for a decade. She spent five years in Corporate Affairs at Levi Strauss & Co. where she worked on a variety of corporate responsibility issues including global sourcing, human rights, environmental policy and philanthropic programs. She went on to serve as a Vice President with Business for Social Responsibility where she was integrally involved in strategic planning and leadership efforts during a critical period of growth for the organization. Earlier in her career, she served as the Director of Planning and Development at the Community Action Commission in Santa Barbara County, a countywide nonprofit social service agency.

Elissa has a B.A. from Brown University and has a M.A. in Organizational Development from City University. Elissa served as president for the board of directors of Oakland Hebrew Day School, and has chaired capital campaigns and fundraising efforts for various Jewish organizations. She lives with her husband in Berkeley, CA and is the mother of two teenagers.