DALLAS, TX – May 27, 2025 — FaithSearch Partners, the leading executive search firm for faith-based healthcare, education, nonprofit, and corporate organizations, proudly announces the appointment of Terry Shaw and Stephen F. Wright as independent members of its Board of Directors.
These two seasoned healthcare executives bring a legacy of leadership, mission-driven service, and a deep commitment to advancing faith-based organizational excellence. Their addition marks a significant milestone for the firm as it continues to elevate its reach and impact in the values-driven executive search space.
Terry Shaw: Visionary Leader in Faith-Based Healthcare
Terry Shaw recently concluded a remarkable 40-year career at AdventHealth, serving as President and CEO from 2016 to 2025. Under his leadership, AdventHealth—recognized as the largest Protestant health system in the world—completed a bold brand transformation centered on consumer-focused, whole-person care. With more than 100,000 team members across more than 50 hospital campuses and 2,000+ care sites, Shaw’s influence on faith-based healthcare delivery has been extensive.
“Terry is a strategic thinker and a mission-driven leader and has championed holistic well-being through compassionate, high-quality care for body, mind, and spirit,” says Ed Fry, FaithSearch Founder and CEO. “He brings to the board not only extraordinary insight but also a heart for purpose-driven leadership.”
Stephen F. Wright: Advocate for Global Mission and Local Impact
Stephen F. Wright brings more than 37 years of healthcare and nonprofit leadership, most recently serving as CEO for CHRISTUS Health Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Overseeing a network of hospitals, surgical centers, nursing homes, and more, Wright led more than 6,500 associates and 2,000 medical staff in delivering excellent, compassionate care.
Wright is also a passionate servant leader. As Co-Founder and Board Chair of Coastal Connection of Louisiana, he has extended his impact to underserved communities in Haiti, Puerto Rico, Nigeria, Uganda, and beyond. An educator, CPA, and former Chair of the Louisiana Hospital Association, Wright also served healthcare’s next generation as an adjunct faculty member at LSU’s medical and public health schools. He also serves on two university foundation boards.
Fry said, “Stephen brings strengths and experiences to all three of our major service lines: Non-profit, healthcare and education. He has a unique perspective to share, including an understanding of the challenges facing Catholic healthcare facilities in today’s difficult environment.”
Strengthening a Mission-Driven Board
Shaw and Wright join a board deeply committed to FaithSearch’s mission of identifying and empowering faith-based leadership that transforms lives and organizations. As independent board members, Shaw and Wright join two other independent members who have served for several years:
- Leon Leach, former long-time EVP and Chief Business Development Officer at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Arthur Rice, longtime healthcare innovator, entrepreneur, and business leader
“The appointments of Terry and Stephen reflect FaithSearch’s ongoing commitment to excellence, integrity, and spiritual leadership at the highest level,” Fry said. “They both embody the servant-leadership model that is the foundation of our work. “Their wisdom, values, and proven track records in mission-driven organizations will be instrumental as FaithSearch continues to grow in scale and significance. We are honored to welcome them.”
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Founded in 2007, FaithSearch Partners is the premier executive search firm in the U.S., focusing exclusively on serving faith-based educational institutions, healthcare organizations, nonprofits, ministries, and faith-oriented businesses. Based in Dallas with locations in Houston, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham, Redding, and Rochester, FaithSearch serves faith-based clients in all regions.
