Dallas, TX — FaithSearch Advisors is pleased to announce the addition of Dean Kato and Connie Bonner to its team of senior advisors. Together, Kato and Bonner bring deep expertise in board governance, financial stewardship, and executive leadership to support mission-driven organizations pursuing sustainable growth and long-term impact.Mr. Kato brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience spanning business development, global sales, and governance. He previously served as Vice President of Business Development at Triman Industries, where he helped lead a period of transformational growth, contributing to a 99 percent increase in revenue. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles at Esterline Systems, directing global sales efforts and supporting strategic market expansion.
In addition to his corporate leadership, Mr. Kato has extensive board experience, including service as Chair of the Board of Trustees at Seattle Pacific University. In this role, he partnered closely with senior leadership during key seasons of institutional strategy, governance decision-making, and leadership transition, bringing a strong marketplace lens to mission-centered oversight.
Ms. Bonner brings more than three decades of financial leadership experience in higher education and nonprofit organizations. She most recently served as Vice President for Finance and Treasurer at Huntington University, where she provided executive leadership in strategic budgeting, capital planning, debt strategy, and long-range financial sustainability. A Certified Public Accountant, she is widely respected for her disciplined and transparent approach to financial stewardship and her ability to translate complex financial realities into clear guidance for boards and senior leaders.
In addition to her financial leadership, Ms. Bonner is an ICF-trained executive coach who brings a developmental lens to her advisory work. She partners with mission-driven organizations to strengthen fiscal health while also investing in leadership capacity and organizational effectiveness.
“Dean and Connie each bring exceptional clarity and credibility to their advisory work,” said a FaithSearch Advisors representative. “Together, they strengthen our ability to serve boards and senior leaders with practical wisdom, financial discipline, and confidence in complex decision-making.”
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Founded in 2007, FaithSearch Partners is a 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, Durango, Redding, and Rochester, FaithSearch is able to serve faith-based clients in all regions.
