Isaacson, Miller Leading CEO Search for Association of American Publishers

September 20, 2016 – Executive search firm Isaacson, Miller has been retained by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) to lead its search for a new president and chief executive officer. Vice president Jane Gruenebaum is leading the search with senior associate Gail Gregory and associate Karla Saunders.

The next AAP president and CEO will assume leadership of a complex association at a time of transition for both the industry and the association. As the industry is adapting to technological innovation and the increased prevalence of digital access to content, the association’s central mission and core functions have become even more vital to member interests. At the same time, the association is rethinking its structure and functions to provide the highest possible value-add to its members in the most cost-effective manner possible.

Strategic Thinker Needed

The new leader, according to the recruiters, must be an astute strategic thinker, fully focused on concrete results and able to translate plans into action. The incumbent will work in partnership with AAP senior staff to devise strategy and tactics that advance the overall mission of the organization.

The challenge and opportunity for the president / CEO is to refresh and strengthen AAP’s value proposition to its members. The next leader must review organizational structure and strategy, they say, to find effective and efficient ways to promote and protect member interests. The next president will also need to consider all structures and functions to ensure relevance and impact. At the same time, the incoming leader will be expected to create other revenue streams that can relieve the pressure on member dues.

The ideal candidate should have substantial advocacy experience in the national policy community, with extensive, relevant and contemporary networks with the legislative and executive branches of government. The new leader will also possess international experience and a global perspective to tackle issues such as piracy and intellectual property laws that exist beyond national boarders. In addition, knowledge of the core issues, policies and regulations affecting the publishing and education industry domestically and internationally is highly desirable.

The Association of American Publishers is the largest U.S. trade association for the consumer, educational, professional and scholarly publishing industry. As the voice of American publishing, AAP is dedicated to representing industry priorities worldwide.

Transformative Leaders In Demand

A nationally recognized search firm focused on recruiting transformational leaders for mission-driven organizations, Isaacson, Miller has conducted some 5,600 placements over 34 years. This year Isaacson, Miller was recognized as one of the top 50 search firms in the Americas by Hunt Scanlon Media.

Over the course of her career, Ms. Gruenebaum has developed a national network of non-profit leaders, political activists, academics, and foundation officers. She leads Isaacson, Miller’s Washington, D.C., office, where she focuses on searches for educational institutions, public policy organizations, associations, and foundations.

Universities aren’t the only academic and liberal arts institutions turning to outside sources to find new leaders. Others across the higher educational spectrum have been using executive search firms in recent months to fill top leadership gaps. Here’s a quick glance into the Hunt Scanlon archives:

JDG Associates Ltd. recently placed Kevin Traver as executive director of the Marine Technology Society (MTS). Founded in 1963, MTS is a multidisciplinary organization with approximately 3,500 individual and organizational members. MTS provides scholarships to students studying marine science and ocean engineering in addition to other educational opportunities;

David Barrett Partners has been selected by Harvard Management Company (HMC), the investment management arm of Harvard University, to lead its search for a new chief executive officer. Harvard Management Co. manages the college’s massive $37.6 billion endowment;

Diversified Search has been retained by the Folger Shakespeare Library to lead its search for a chief advancement officer. The Folger Shakespeare Library houses the world’s largest collection of the printed works of William Shakespeare. The library is home to a world renown collection that supports scholarship and international research;

Korn Ferry recruited Olivier Meslay as the new director of the Clark Art Institute. The Clark Art Institute, located in Williamstown, MA, is one of a small number of institutions globally that is both an art museum and a center for research, critical discussion, and higher education in the visual arts;