Bryant Group Retained to Find Vice Chancellor for Advancement and Executive Director for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the University of Chattanooga Foundation
March 2, 2026 – Dallas-based executive search and talent development firm Bryant Group has been retained to recruit the vice chancellor for advancement and executive director for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and the University of Chattanooga Foundation. Katie Riecke is leading the assignment.
“We are seeking a dynamic leader to advance the mission of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga through strong relationships and purposeful action,” said Lori Bruce, chancellor. “This individual will play a critical role in shaping University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s future by turning opportunity into impact.”
This role will set the vision and strategy for philanthropic impact, alumni engagement and external engagement. Reporting jointly to the UTC chancellor and the chair of the UC foundation board, this executive will design and lead a comprehensive campaign to expand access to higher education, enhance academic excellence, and create life-changing opportunities for UTC students.
The incoming executive will lead a comprehensive advancement enterprise, align fundraising, alumni relations, communications and stewardship under a unified strategy. The role partners across the university to identify and advance top philanthropic priorities and maintains a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects.
In addition, the vice chancellor/executive director will serve as the foundation’s chief administrative officer, support effective fiduciary governance in partnership with the board and ensure sound financial stewardship, including investment oversight and the management of foundation endowment and real estate assets.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned advancement professional with extensive leadership experience in higher education or non-profit advancement and a proven record of success securing major and principal gifts and leading comprehensive campaigns. The successful candidate infuses enthusiasm, inspires high-performing teams, authentically connects with donors and community partners and demonstrates a deep commitment to public higher education and advancing institutional impact.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is a comprehensive public research university within the University of Tennessee System. Recognized for academic quality, student success and strong community engagement, UTC has received national and regional rankings and multiple College of Distinction honors for excellence in undergraduate programs in business, engineering, education and nursing.
The University of Chattanooga Foundation is a separately incorporated 501(c)(3) organization dedicated exclusively to supporting the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The foundation is entrusted with fiduciary oversight of its assets. It is the university’s primary philanthropic partner, stewarding alumni engagement and gifts, managing the endowment and real estate assets and advancing donor initiatives to support UTC’s mission.
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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.
Veteran Leadership
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. Riecke, executive search director, is a seasoned executive recruitment and talent management professional, bringing a rare and powerful combination of operational insight and hiring expertise to Bryant Group. At the University of Rochester’s alumni and advancement office, she spearheaded initiatives that significantly boosted staff performance metrics and cut time-to-hire, demonstrating her ability to deliver tangible, high-impact results.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
