Client Partners
Donna Higgins
FOUNDER & CEO
Donna Higgins is founder and CEO of The Higgins Group, Inc., one of the oldest and most successful search firms in the life sciences. Founded in 1998, the firm has grown exclusively through referrals as a result of Donna’s simple but powerful business philosophy: to develop lasting relationships with a select group of clients by doing great work. This drive for excellence infuses every aspect of the firm’s work due to a culture that values superior results, exceptional teamwork, and doing the right thing. Although her team has diverse backgrounds and experiences, all of The Higgins Group employees share Donna’s energy, optimism, integrity, and grit.
Over her 30 years in the life sciences, Donna has gained a global reputation for her insight, expertise, and integrity. Prior to starting her own firm, Donna was vice president & life science practice lead for Howard Fischer Associates International, where she rapidly built the life science practice by consistently exceeding her clients’ expectations. Before becoming a search professional, Donna worked on commercial teams at both ends of the life sciences spectrum, dividing a decade between Abbott Laboratories, a Fortune 50 pharmaceutical company, and Immunex, an emerging biotech company at the time.
Donna holds an MBA from Drexel University and a BA from Penn State University. Committed to lifelong learning, she joined the Coaching Certification Program at Columbia University to continue sharpening the strategic coaching she provides to clients and candidates. She is an advisory board member for Life Sciences Cares and the Association of Women Entrepreneurs, and a board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region and AchieveAbility. She also serves as adjunct faculty at the Center for Positive Leadership, where she is a frequent speaker on women in business. Donna divides her time between the company’s Philadelphia and Boston offices.
Doug Roberts
Senior Vice President, Client Partnerships
Doug leads retained executive searches and heads the firm’s Interim and Fractional Search practice. He also serves on the firm’s Executive Leadership Team. Before joining The Higgins Group, Doug was an attorney who represented individuals and companies and criminal and civil litigation matters, and before that, he was a writer who typed a lot of words, but few of consequence.
Doug joined the Higgins Group because of the firm’s focus on relationships over fees and a strong sense of alignment with its core values. His favorite part of being an attorney was building trust with clients and finding creative ways to add value, often during hard times. He was known for connecting with people from all walks of life and crafting strategic solutions to problems before they arose. He is pleased to leverage those same skills to help build companies that do meaningful work for patients and their families.
Doug lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania with his wife, their two children, and their rescue dog, Luna. When he’s not working or chauffeuring the kids, he’s running trails, watching sports, or listening to music. His writing is limited to job descriptions and birthday raps.
Lizzie Schiel
Senior Vice President, Client Partnerships
Lizzie Schiel joined The Higgins Group in 2014. She specializes in the life sciences sector, working with organizations ranging from early-stage startups to large global pharmaceutical companies. With broad experience across therapeutic areas and a deep understanding of the R&D landscape, Lizzie has developed a reputation for helping clients secure transformative leaders who can drive both scientific innovation and organizational success.
Lizzie takes the time to listen closely to clients, developing a nuanced understanding of their organizational culture and team dynamics. She emphasizes cultural fit, carefully evaluating candidates to ensure the role supports both their career goals and the client’s needs. This thoughtful approach results in successful, lasting placements where candidates can quickly make a meaningful impact.
Before transitioning to executive searches, Lizzie built her career in higher education and collegiate athletics. She served as an academic advisor to the George Washington University men’s basketball team and previously coached Division I women’s basketball at her alma mater, William & Mary, where she was also a student-athlete. These early experiences in mentorship, teamwork, and leadership continue to influence the way she approaches client partnerships today.
Lizzie holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the College of William & Mary and a Master’s in Higher Education Administration from George Washington University. She lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia with her family. Active in her community, she serves on the board of her family’s nonprofit and enjoys cooking, playing golf, and cheering on Philly’s sports teams (Go Birds!).
Stephen Hanebury
Senior Vice President
Steve brings more than 15 years of experience building customized talent solutions across the retained and fractional search fields within the life sciences industry. Throughout his career, he has held roles spanning search execution, client partnerships, and executive leadership, consistently focused on innovating talent-based services to meet the evolving needs of enterprise clients.
A graduate of East Stroudsburg University, Steve’s passion for community impact began early in his career. His first post-collegiate role combined that sense of purpose with professional development, helping individuals secure their dream positions through thoughtful recruitment support. What began as a drive to help others find meaningful work evolved into a deep commitment to serving the life sciences community at large.
Since then, Steve has developed a vibrant passion for utilizing his experience to help empower the life science community by answering the need for highly specialized talent and the complex client strategies to achieve these needs. Today, Steve uses his mission-driven energy to create impactful relationships with tomorrow’s breakthrough companies in the Biotechnology, Biopharmaceutical and Pharmaceuticals industries.
Steve lives in Havertown, Pennsylvania with his wife Kerry and two daughters. When he’s not working, Steve can be found on the sports fields with his daughters or enjoying family time on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland.
