Development and Advancement

Development and Advancement

Exceptional development and advancement leaders can truly transform an institution of higher education, enabling critical campus initiatives and capital projects. Now more than ever, chief development and advancement leaders have a profound impact on a college or university’s ability to advance its vision, mission and goals. 

 WittKieffer’s consultants, many of whom have served as senior development officers themselves, are c to today’s top development and advancement leaders and have deep, valuable and relevant experience in placing them and supporting their growth. In the past decade, we have recruited hundreds of philanthropic leaders, including vice presidents, major and principal gifts officers, campaign leaders, directors of planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, development operations, marketing and communications and alumni relations.  

Our search consultants and leadership advisors pride themselves on truly understanding the philanthropic goals and challenges of our clients. We understand that the advancement and development leaders we help to employ will play an outsized role in shaping the long-term futures of their institutions.  

 

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Success Story

Martin Jarmond – Director of Athletics, UCLA
Jarmond Embracing Expectations at UCLA, Connecting with Fans

Since taking over as Director of Athletics at UCLA in 2020, Martin Jarmond has embraced the challenge of returning Bruins athletics to glory, and made it a priority to create excitement around the teams with alumni and fans. This commitment was front and center during the early rounds of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament when Jarmond connected with a UCLA fan via Twitter to provide tickets to the team’s “first four” match up on March 18th, a game where the opponent had significantly more fans in attendance. If history is any indication, UCLA fans can expect more of this in the future.

Victoria Chun – Thomas A. Beckett Director of Athletics, Yale University
Academics, Social Justice Top Priorities for Trailblazing Yale AD

In 2018, when Victoria M. “Vicky” Chun, was appointed Thomas A. Beckett Director of Athletics, following a nationwide search in partnership with WittKieffer, she became the first woman and first Asian American to serve in that role at Yale University. Under her leadership, 17 Bulldog teams earned Public Recognition Awards in the latest NCAA Academic Progress Rates (APR) report. In just over a year and a half of athletic competition during Chun’s tenure, Yale has won 10 conference championships, 10 postseason victories and two national titles. Furthermore, the Athletic Department promotes social justice and inclusion through Yale Bulldogs for Change, an initiative designed to celebrate diversity and encourage positive change through the shared experiences of participating Yale athletes.

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Connect with a Practice Leader

Our expertise in college athletics executive search comes from our search work as well as experience in athletics leadership roles. Practice leader Jeff Compher is a former NCAA Division I athletic director who supports each client with insight and candor.

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