Based in Boston, Sheila Murphy (she/her) brings extensive experience in academia to her role as search consultant, having served as an administrator at various leading liberal arts institutions. Sheila provides clients with a unique, informed insight into the roles for which she recruits, and is known for her genuine, collaborative manner. She supports searches for presidents, chancellors, provosts, and deans, as well as vice presidents for student affairs, academic affairs, finance and other areas.

Prior to joining WittKieffer, Sheila served as the Dean for Student Life at Simmons College in Boston. In this role, she was responsible for administration and management of all aspects of co-curricular life for undergraduate and graduate students, while supervising staff and managing facilities renovation and budget. Sheila has also served as Vice President and Dean of Students at Bradford College in Bradford, Massachusetts; Dean of Students at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts; Vice President for Student Affairs at Russell Sage College in Troy, New York; and Dean of Students at Mount Ida College in Newton Centre, Massachusetts.

Sheila has served on a number of education and nonprofit boards, and has published and spoken extensively on the topic of student affairs. She has also been active in the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) as well as other education and student affairs organizations.