Greenwood / Asher & Associates Recruits CHRO for the University of Wisconsin–Madison
February 8, 2023 – Miramar Beach, FL-based executive recruitment firm Greenwood /Asher & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Patrick Sheehan as associate vice chancellor and chief human resources officer for the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Vice chancellor for finance and administration Rob Cramer says Sheehan brings a variety of leadership experiences, extensive knowledge about the university, solid existing relationships with university stakeholders, and a strong vision for the future of work at UW–Madison.
“Patrick is an exceptional leader,” he said. “He is compassionate and collaborative, and he understands that people are the foundation of everything we do at UW–Madison. I’m looking forward to his leadership of the office of human resources team and to his partnership in advancing the work experience for all our employees.”
A 10-member search and screen committee made recommendations to Mr. Cramer for finalists for the chief human resources officer position. Dean of the college of letters and science Eric Wilcots chaired the committee. Four finalists visited campus in mid-November and met with various stakeholder groups. All members of the campus community were invited to attend public presentations and provide feedback on the candidates. Two finalists returned for additional visits in December.
“My thanks to Dean Wilcots and the members of the search and screen committee,” said Mr. Cramer. “They did an exceptional job bringing forward a strong group of finalists for consideration. And my thanks to all those who were able to meet with candidates and who provided feedback during the process.”
Prior to serving in the interim role, Mr. Sheehan was the human resources strategy lead for UW–Madison’s administrative transformation program. He also previously worked as the university’s director of talent acquisition and retention, the director of workforce relations, and the employment relations chief.
“In human resources, we have the honor of strengthening the organization as a whole by empowering its people,” said Mr. Sheehan. “I’m excited to lead the office of human resources in a permanent position and look forward to expanding our work and relationships across campus.”
With a $3.4 billion budget, the University of Wisconsin–Madison educates more than 45,000 students and employs some 24,000 faculty and staff. Composed of 13 schools and colleges, the university offers 288 undergraduate majors and certificates, as well as more than 250 master’s, doctoral, and professional programs.
A Women-Owned Search Firm
Greenwood / Asher & Associates is a women-owned executive search firm with a diverse consulting team and extensive experience in executive search, consulting, and training for education markets including elementary, secondary, higher education, university systems, campuses and non-profit organizations including associations, service, and cultural institutions.
The firm, led by founders and partners Jan Greenwood and Betty Turner Asher, was acquired in 2020 by Kelly Education, a global leader in workforce management solutions offering staffing services to top companies.
Greenwood / Asher & Associates Assists Clemson University with CHRO Search
Greenwood /Asher & Associates has assisted in the recruitment of Ale Kennedy as the new associate vice president for human resources and chief human resources officer of Clemson University. “The university engaged a recruiting firm and conducted a rigorous national search to select our human resources leader,” said Max Allen, vice president and chief of staff, who also chaired the search committee. “I would like to thank the other members of the search committee for their work on this very important search, which gave us an opportunity to review close to 100 highly accomplished applicants.
Dr. Greenwood is a pioneer in U.S. higher education, as the first woman president of a public four-year and graduate institution in Virginia and as among the first to hold multiple presidencies for both public and private institutions. The library at one of these institutions is named in her honor. She was one of the earliest executive recruiters focused on education and non-profit organizations. Dr. Greenwood is a licensed psychologist with experience as a psychometrist and with post-doctoral training in group methods. She brings these skill-sets to her work with clients, candidates, and search committees.
Dr. Asher, who is also vice president and managing partner of Kelly Education, was one of the first women to serve as president of a flagship institution. She brings to executive search, consulting and training a unique background of leadership service at all levels of higher education institutions and systems, in academics and student affairs and in public and private institutions. She has been a leader in executive search, consulting and training for the past two decades. Ms. Asher has led more than 500 searches, most at the president/CEO level.
Related: Greenwood / Asher & Associates Assists Clemson University with CHRO Search
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
