Bryant Group Leading Senior Search Assignment for the University of San Diego
January 8, 2025 – Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has been retained by the University of San Diego to lead in its search for an associate vice president for university events and partnerships. Sarah Hempen, vice president of search, is leading the assignment.
“On the heels of an exceptional 75th anniversary year, the University of San Diego is well-positioned to live out its vision of fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love,” said Richard P. Virgin, vice president of advancement. “University of San Diego’s inspiring surroundings bring together outstanding students, brilliant faculty members and impactful programs that are taking on humanity’s urgent challenges. We’re seeking an experienced leader who will help University of San Diego light the way forward by providing strategic vision on key institutional events, cultivating successful corporate and community partnerships, and working collaboratively across campus to inspire support for the university and uplift the people and programs that make it great.”
As a member of the vice president’s advancement leadership team, the associate vice president will increase the breadth and effectiveness of corporate and select benefactor support of university programs, while also providing a platform to support the overall advancement efforts of the university. This experienced, forward-thinking and strategic advancement professional will lead a team in developing and sustaining the University of San Diego’s strategic, multi-level corporate partnerships to advance institutional advancement goals, engagement strategies and partnership initiatives.
This role will also be charged with leading and advising on matters related to highly visible, overarching campus events that advance University of San Diego’s objectives, particularly those that raise campus visibility. The associate vice president will oversee a team of advancement professionals to ensure strategic outreach and communication of institutional priorities, signature events and partnership agreements.
With more than 9,000 students from 85 countries and 50 states, the University of San Diego is the youngest independent institution on the U.S. News & World Report list of top 100 universities in the United States. Its small class sizes, compassionate culture, unique learning opportunities and state-of-the-art resources support 43 undergraduate programs and 41 graduate programs.
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 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.
Bryant Group Tapped by the University of Washington to Fill Senior Role
Bryant Group has been selected to lead the search for the executive director for annual philanthropy for the University of Washington. Sarah Hempen, vice president of search, is leading the assignment. “We are looking for a people-first leader who understands and has a passion for public higher education; is skilled in segmentation with overlapping markets, building donor pipeline experiences; and is an expert at collaboration within a complex environment,” said Stephanie Doyle-Scroggs, associate vice president of development programs and strategy at University of Washington. “This is an opportunity to build an annual philanthropy program with a first-class organization comprised of dedicated colleagues. The successful candidate will be looked to as a voice at the highest levels, benefit from existing partnerships with marketing and have the full support of the development leadership.”
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.
Past Assignment
Bryant Group recently placed Tim Groff as the new chief financial officer for The Weingart Center. The search was led by firm president Chris Bingley. “Bryant Group worked to understand the needs of the organization throughout the recruitment process, resulting in a hire that will both complement current leadership and build a critical area of Weingart for future success,” said senator Kevin Murray, president and CEO of Weingart. “We continue to uphold our mission to empower and transform lives by delivering interim and permanent supportive housing solutions coupled with comprehensive wraparound services that are designed to break the cycle of homelessness.”
“I had never sought employment in the non-profit sector,” Mr. Groff said. “The Bryant Group team coached me through the process, with Chris personally guiding me every step of the way. The outcome was a new career in a field that I find professionally and personally fulfilling.”
Related: Bryant Group Recruits CEO for Montana State University Alumni Foundation
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
