Cornerstone Kansas City traces its roots back more than 40 years to its formation by founder, Michael Shirley, who began his career in Executive search in 1980. The firm rapidly grew a solid reputation in the Midwest as a prolific retained executive search specialist with a primary focus on financial services, banking, healthcare, and industrial manufacturing.
40+ years later, Cornerstone Kansas City is still locally owned and proudly operated by Dan Heiman who joined the firm in 2007 and fully acquired the firm in 2009.

From the beginning, the firm’s influence has extended far beyond its immediate market in the Central Midwest with mandates in 39 states of the U.S. as well as in Canada, the U.K., New Zealand, Australia, Russia and Panama City among others.
“Under Michael’s leadership, the company built a very successful brand and portfolio,” says Heiman. “I believe strongly in the Cornerstone business model and I believe this association positions us strongly — both at home and abroad — to build on our success in a business world that has become increasingly global and more complex.”
Michael Shirley remains active as an advisor to the firm. More than 1,600 retained searches have been successfully completed in a broad variety of industries. Clients include: WireCo World Group, Lockton Companies, MetLife, Orscheln Products, First National Bank of Omaha, Mutual of Omaha Bank, the Kansas City Zoo, Koch Industries as well as many other local and regionally headquartered public, private and not-for-profit companies and organizations.
Cornerstone Kansas City is Sought After
Our Kansas City executive recruitment services have been described by Executive Recruiter News as having, “major market sophistication and resources with Midwestern style and small firm, high-service orientation.”
More than 1,600 search assignments have been completed since 1980, making Cornerstone Kansas City one of the more prolific retained search firms between Chicago and Dallas.
We are a member of one of the world’s leading executive search networks but still deliver that “high-service orientation”. The power of many, the focus of one.
We share best practices and high-end resources to continuously enhance our offering to our local clients yet bring global solutions to those clients who need them along with border-less sourcing of their human capital needs.
Our Kansas City Executive Recruitment Services also serve the Central Midwest!

Cornerstone Kansas City is Balanced
Assignments have been completed in 39 states as well as several international locations to include Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Central America, Russia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Our forward focus is increasingly global as demand has increased. Salary ranges have typically been between $90,000 – $350,000+.

You only see the best.
Cornerstone Kansas City is Trusted
A high percentage of our assignments have been completed for previous clients and most new assignments are client referred because we don’t just send you resumes. We carefully analyze the requirements of the job, the culture of your company and the skills and compatibility of the candidate. You only see the best.
We further back up our “retain” and “develop” goals with customized coaching, including an on-boarding schedule that can be added to any completed search.
Cornerstone Kansas City is Expert
Our Partners and Consultants have formed long-term alliances within the key industries we serve and maintain a cadre of highly-experienced specialist contacts who contribute to very narrowly targeted campaigns. Specialty Practices include most industries and job functions with an emphasis in Banking, Industrial/Manufacturing, Financial Services, Consumer Products, Healthcare and Non-profit.
Cornerstone Kansas City is Successful
Cornerstone Kansas City has a record of success. Our executive search close ratio is 95% compared to the industry norm which is below 80% (Executive Recruiter News).
That’s because we never quit until your search is completed. To quote one of our clients, “We are in it for the marathon, not the sprint."
Our goal is your satisfaction. Period!
Cornerstone Kansas City traces its roots back more than 40 years.
To learn more about what our services could do for you and your team, contact us today.