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

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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.

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

News Briefings

WittKieffer Seeks Chief People Officer for the Institute of Aging  

With the coronavirus crisis still posing a risk to people everywhere, human resources executives are stepping up at businesses across the country, playing a vital role in helping their organizations navigate what continues to be an even greater challenge than the Great Recession. Along the way, the importance of people strategy is expanding, and that

WittKieffer Names Head of Marketing

WittKieffer has named Sharon Higgins as head of marketing. “We are extremely excited to have Sharon join our team and help WittKieffer continue on its course as one of the leading firms in the executive search industry,” said Elizabeth Frye, chief of operations. “She brings unique skills that she has honed in her prior leadership roles and a

WittKieffer Assists Colorado State University with Recruitment of VP for Diversity and Inclusion

WittKieffer has placed Kauline Cipriani as vice president for diversity and inclusion for Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins, CO. Leading the assignment were Charlene Aguilar, consultant; Christine Pendleton, senior associate; and Bree Liddell, associate. “We are just thrilled to welcome Kauline to the leadership team of Colorado State University,” said Joyce McConnell, president of CSU.

WittKieffer Selected by Colorado State University to Lead VP of Diversity & Inclusion Search

WittKieffer has been enlisted to find a vice president for diversity and inclusion (VPDI) for Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins, CO. Spearheading the assignment are Charlene Aguilar, consultant; Christine Pendleton, senior associate; and Bree Liddell, associate. “The vice president for diversity and inclusion will join CSU amidst a time of increasing opportunity and transformative

Press Releases

Witt/Kieffer Announces Expansion of Sports Leadership Practice

OAK BROOK, IL, November 10, 2016 — Signaling its commitment to college sports, Witt/Kieffer has named experienced executive recruiter Katy Young as a senior associate in its expanding Sports Leadership practice. Experienced in both collegiate and professional sports executive search, Young has supported over 40 searches for Division I head coaches and athletic directors. She has worked with

Witt/Kieffer Announces New Leadership for IT Practice

OAK BROOK, IL, September 21, 2016 — Witt/Kieffer, a leading executive search firm, has announced that Hillary Ross, Principal and Chris Wierz, Principal will co-lead Witt/Kieffer’s IT Practice. Witt/Kieffer’s Information Technology practice assesses and recruits prominent IT leaders to roles including chief information officer and chief medical informatics officer. Witt/Kieffer’s consultants are distinctively qualified with knowledge concerning challenges

Witt/Kieffer Announces Ten New Promotions

OAK BROOK, IL, August 17, 2016 — Witt/Kieffer, a leading executive search firm, today announces ten promotions across its expanding search practices. “I’m thrilled to recognize those individuals who have excelled in serving our clients and communities; our team has worked hard to reach this level of sustained growth,” said Charles W.B. Wardell III, Chair and CEO of

Cintron Named CEO of University Medical Center of El Paso

OAK BROOK, IL, July 15, 2016 — Newly-hire UMC CEO Jacob Cintron will earn $480,000 a year, according to an employment agreement obtained by ABC-7. Cintron, a former University Medical Center of El Paso Associate, was selected by the UMC Board of Managers last week. He is expected to begin working for the county hospital Monday, July 25.

CEO Wardell Named Chair of Witt/Kieffer Board of Directors

OAK BROOK, IL, July 14, 2016 — Executive search firm Witt/Kieffer has announced the appointment of current CEO Charles W.B. Wardell, III to the position of Chair and CEO. Anna Wharton Phillips, who joined the firm in 1988 and has served as Chair for the past seven years, will remain with the company as an advisor to