WittKieffer

About Us

WittKieffer is the premier executive search and leadership advisory firm developing impactful leadership teams for organizations that improve quality of life. We work exclusively with organizations in healthcare, science, and education—the Quality of Life Ecosystem—and provide the essential knowledge, analysis and perspective that produce effective leaders and inclusive cultures. Through our executive search, interim leadership, and leadership advisory solutions, we strengthen organizations that make the world better. WittKieffer is proud to be 100 percent employee-owned. Visit www.wittkieffer.com to learn more.

ACHIEVEMENTS

WittKieffer

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We’re always learning from our clients when we conduct executive searches — about what it takes to lead organizations committed to improving the quality of life. Goals like making high-quality, cost-conscious healthcare widely available to individuals and families, advancing higher education, and life sciences companies achieving medical innovation require stewardship, highly-specialized knowledge and broad experience.

WittKieffer recruits great CEOs, CFOs, COOs, physician leaders, presidents, and other executives for hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers and other health-related organizations; life sciences companies including pharmaceutical, biotech, diagnostics and medical device corporations; colleges and universities and not-for-profit community service organizations and foundations. Our clients have relied on WittKieffer for more than 45 years to help recruit leaders with the best mix of skills, experience, vision and character to fulfill their missions. For them and for us, executive search is about much more than filling a chair —  It’s about bringing great leadership to your organization.

WittKieffer

Solutions And Expertise

WittKieffer recruits great CEOs and other executives for hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers and other health-related organizations; life sciences companies including pharmaceutical, biotech, diagnostics and medical device corporations; colleges and universities and not-for-profit community service organizations and foundations.

Solutions
  • Advisory Services
  • Assessment
  • Board Services
  • Data Analy./Mrkt. Intell.
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Executive Coaching
  • Executive Search
  • Interim
  • Leadership Consulting
  • Leadership Develop.
  • Mgmt. Consulting
  • Onboarding
  • Succession Planning
Industries
Functions
  • Board/Governance
  • Business Development
  • CEO/President
  • Communications/PR
  • Data/Analytics
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Finance/Accounting
  • General Management
  • GM/Operations
  • Human Resources
  • Information/Digital
  • Legal/Compliance
  • Marketing & Sales
  • Medical/Clinical
  • Research & Develop.
  • Risk Management
  • Supply Chain

WittKieffer

News Briefings

WittKieffer Appoints IT Practice Leader

Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has named Jeffrey Sturman as managing partner and information technology practice leader. He takes over from Hillary Ross, who has led the practice since 2017. Ms. Ross will shift her full-time priorities to client engagements and working alongside Mr. Sturman to ensure a seamless transition of responsibilities. “We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to WittKieffer,” said

WittKieffer Names Five Senior Partners

Oak Brook, IL-based WittKieffer has appointed five new senior partners. As part of its ongoing commitment to fostering leadership from within, WittKieffer elevates individuals based on demonstrated leadership qualities, expertise in the search and advisory professions, and commitment to company values, the search firm explained. “For 56 years, WittKieffer has flourished due in large part to

WittKieffer Names Leader of Board Advisory Solution

Oak Brook-IL-based WittKieffer has appointed Laura Orr to expand and lead the firm’s board advisory solution. “Boards that are engaged, effective, and strategically aligned have a significant impact on organizational success,” said Susan M. Snyder, executive partner for leadership advisory at WittKieffer. “We’re thrilled to welcome Laura to our team to develop these high-impact boards. Laura’s background, expertise,

WittKieffer Helps Recruit 22nd President for Rutgers University

Oak Brook-IL-based WittKieffer has assisted in the recruitment of renowned social scientist William F. Tate as the 22nd president of Rutgers University. Jonathan Holloway announced that he would step down on June 30, 2025. Zachary Smith, Robin Mamlet, and Christine Pendleton led the assignment. Mr. Tate’s selection as president follows the efforts of a 20-member presidential search committee, which

WittKieffer

Press Releases

Ethan Bueno de Mesquita Named Dean of University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy

Prof. Ethan Bueno de Mesquita has been appointed dean of the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, President Paul Alivisatos and Provost Katherine Baicker announced. Bueno de Mesquita, the Sydney Stein Professor at the Harris School and in the College, served as interim dean of the school since March 2023. Under his leadership,

WittKieffer Offers Novel Program to Speed Impact of Physician Executives

Oak Brook, Illinois, June 4, 2024 – WittKieffer, the premier executive search and leadership advisory firm improving quality of life through impactful leadership, today announced a unique program to expedite time to success for physician leaders taking on new roles. The Accelerating Impact for Physician Leaders solution differentiates itself from other physician leadership training and

AESC Global Board Adds Michael Castleman, Recognizes Morten Nielsen for Service

Oak Brook, IL – February 22, 2024 – Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) announced the addition of Michael Castleman, WittKieffer’s Chief Business Officer and Executive Partner for its Global Life Sciences, Investor-Backed Healthcare and Interim Leadership Solutions practices, to its Global Board of Directors. It also recognized WittKieffer’s Morten Nielsen, a Senior

WittKieffer Expands Interim Leadership Solutions into Life Sciences and Investor-Backed Healthcare, Welcomes Executive Talent Expert Ysette Witteveen

Oak Brook, Illinois, December 4, 2023 – WittKieffer, the premier executive search and leadership advisory firm improving quality of life through impactful leadership, today announced the expansion of its interim and on-demand leadership solutions to the life sciences and investor-backed healthcare markets. Ysette Witteveen, a veteran interim and on-demand talent advisor and former management consultant,

Melody Rose Expands Role with WittKieffer, Joins Firm’s Leadership Advisory

Oak Brook, Illinois, Nov. 16, 2023 – WittKieffer, the premier executive search and leadership advisory firm developing impactful leadership solutions for organizations that improve the quality of life, has announced that Principal Melody Rose, Ph.D., has broadened her role with the firm and joined its Leadership Advisory practice. Dr. Rose, a former university president and