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WittKieffer Announces Expansion Of Interim Leadership Services Into Education
WittKieffer announced the expansion of its Interim Leadership Practice into the field of higher education. The practice, first launched in 2018 in order to provide interim leaders to the firm's healthcare industry clients, now also serves those clients in academia needing temporary executives to ensure leadership continuity in what are very difficult times.
By filling an immediate operational need, interim executives provide institutions valuable time to assess an open or newly created position while also maintaining focus on broader strategic decisions that may impact students, faculty and staff. Interim leaders also help organizations to maintain momentum with ongoing projects and initiatives – especially those addressing changes taking place due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Interim executives have become a valuable resource for colleges and universities to tap during the uncertain environment produced by the pandemic,” said Andrew Chastain, president and CEO of WittKieffer. “By formally expanding our Interim Leadership Practice into education, WittKieffer offers our academic clients an adaptive and responsive executive talent strategy that takes advantage of both permanent and interim placements.”
"Academic institutions are looking to interim leaders to help them navigate increasingly complex organizational challenges when vacancies occur," said Zach Smith, PhD, managing partner of WittKieffer's Education Practice. "In addition, the interim can assess and refine the role and lay a foundation for the success of an eventual permanent hire."
WittKieffer’s higher education interim services are overseen by Brian Krehbiel, managing partner and head of the Interim Leadership Practice, along with Robert Luke, consultant in Education and Interim Leadership. Krehbiel, Luke and the interim team will work closely and proactively with both clients and interim placements to monitor progress, ensure success and build a bridge to clients' future leadership needs.
"I am thrilled to help lead the expansion of our interim services into higher education, especially at a time when the long-term continuity, flexibility, and strength of leadership teams is essential," said Krehbiel. "Through established relationships with senior-level interim leaders who have extensive experience within respected colleges and universities, WittKieffer is able to provide unparalleled service and exceptional quality."
WittKieffer's new services in education will initially support the placement of interim presidents, provosts, academic deans, CFOs, CHROs, advancement officers and enrollment management leaders. Clients may also request support for interim placement of other senior-level roles.
