Bryant Group Fills Senior Post for the University of Oklahoma Foundation
May 14, 2026 – Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has assisted in the recruitment of Laura Ketchum as assistant vice president of advancement, OU Health Campus, at the University of Oklahoma Foundation. The search was led by Sarah Hempen, vice president of search. “Laura brings an extraordinary combination of campaign leadership, principal gift expertise and a proven ability to inspire high-performing teams — all qualities that will strengthen our momentum as we work to improve the lives and health outcomes of Oklahomans,” said Jay Kahn, senior assistant vice president for advancement and campaigns. “We are confident she will be a tremendous partner to our talented team and a transformative force in deepening donor relationships across the OU Health Campus.”
Ms. Ketchum is a seasoned advancement professional with 19 years of experience in higher education and nonprofit fundraising, holding a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credential. She brings deep expertise in major and principal gifts, campaign strategy and team leadership.
Previously, Ms. Ketchum served as assistant vice president of campaign & signature initiatives at the Oklahoma State University Foundation, where she led all efforts related to The Code Calls campaign — the institution’s most ambitious comprehensive fundraising initiative with a $2 billion goal — while maintaining a personal portfolio of principal gift prospects and overseeing campaign marketing, communications and cross-functional fundraising collaboration. She previously served as senior director of development & team lead at the OSU Foundation for more than six years, leading a team focused on the College of Arts and Sciences and achieving $17.5 million in production in her final fiscal year, surpassing her team goal by 184 percent. Earlier in her career, Ms. Ketchum served as major gifts officer at Oklahoma City Community College and employee giving manager at the Allied Arts Foundation.
In her new position, Ms. Ketchum will lead major and principal gift fundraising efforts on behalf of the OU Health Campus, connecting donors with opportunities to advance academic medicine, clinical research and the healthcare workforce pipeline. She will partner closely with colleagues across the OU Foundation and OU Health leadership to deepen donor relationships and help philanthropically accelerate the university’s impact on health outcomes for Oklahomans.
“I’m honored to join the OU Foundation and to serve the OU Health Campus, connecting generous donors with work that truly changes lives,” Ms. Ketchum said. “Helping people see the human impact of their philanthropy is my guiding force, and this role provides the chance to do that every day. I’m excited to partner with dedicated colleagues to advance academic medicine, propel research, bolster the healthcare workforce pipeline and expand hope and healing for people in Oklahoma and beyond.”
Related: Bryant Group Fills Senior Finance Role for HonorHealth Foundation
Established in 1944, the University of Oklahoma Foundation is an independent non-profit organization that manages philanthropic gifts to support the University of Oklahoma. The Foundation plays a crucial role in ensuring the University’s continued success and impact by aligning donors’ passions with the University’s mission, acting as a catalyst to empower the delivery of excellence in higher education at the University of Oklahoma.
Finding Senior Leaders
Bryant Group specializes in advancement, fundraising, and leadership for universities, hospitals, and other non-profits. Its services include recruiting, talent development, and leadership coaching. The organization’s higher education clients include Stanford University, Harvard University, Michigan State University, Baylor University, the University of New Mexico, and others. Its healthcare clients include UCLA Center for the Health Sciences, the Mayo Clinic in both Minnesota and Arizona, Henry Ford Health Systems, Betty Ford Center, to name just a few. Its other non-profit clients include the American Heart Association, March of Dimes in both California and New York, the J. Paul Getty Trust, and more.
Bryant Group Fills Senior Post for Belmont University
Bryant Group has assisted in the recruitment of Michele Miller as associate vice president for advancement services at Belmont University. Executive search director Colleen Rogers Aivazian conducted a nationwide search. “I am thrilled to welcome Michele Miller to Belmont University as our new associate vice president for advancement services,” said David Rosselli, executive vice president for university advancement at Belmont. “Throughout our conversations with her, it was clear that Michele brings the leadership skills, operational rigor, strategic mindset and collaborative spirit that we need in this role. We are excited to have her join the team in this key leadership role as we continue to grow the advancement program at Belmont and achieve even greater success through the Hope Transforms campaign.”
Bryant Group is led by CEO Sally Bryant. She joined the search firm in 2007 and brings 30 years of experience in advancement management, consulting and recruiting, as well as achievements from the corporate sales arena and success in other entrepreneurial activities. Christopher P. Bryant, co-founder and advisor of Bryant Group, is a leader in the recruitment of advancement, development, and fundraising professionals. In 1988, he helped start what the firm describes as the country’s first executive search firm to specialize exclusively in philanthropy recruitment.
Bryant Group is the successor firm, established in 2002. Now under the leadership of Ms. Bryant, the woman-owned firm focuses on advancing great leadership through executive search, leadership coaching and interim leadership services. Bryant Group has impacted more than 10,000 leaders and served more than 270 organizations.
Ms. Hempen has over 20 years of fundraising and advancement leadership experience, serving most recently as assistant vice president of development at the University of South Florida. Having served both public and private universities, she has developed and led annual giving teams that consistently exceeded goals and created new revenue channels focused on building a pipeline for major gifts.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
