Isaacson, Miller Retained by the Brooklyn Academy of Music for President Search
December 23, 2025 – Boston-based Isaacson, Miller was recently called by the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) to lead in its search for a new president. Partners Ben Tobin and Sarah James are leading this search with managing associate Tiffany Weber and managing search coordinator Siobhan Hanley.
In the world’s most competitive philanthropic market, the president will inspire board partners and team to help build a high-capacity Board, deepen donor relationships, expand membership, and convert BAM’s broad goodwill into transformational support. The president will partner closely with the Board to modernize systems, align strategic priorities, and launch initiatives that drive programmatic and financial growth.
Just as importantly, Isaacson, Miller noted that they will embrace an institutional mission rooted in transparency, equity, and inclusiveness to realize sustained creative excellence. The successful candidate will galvanize and reassure — embodying curiosity, professional rigor, and the ability to inspire belief and buy-in. They will lead with purpose, navigate complexity with clarity, and serve with fidelity to BAM’s mission, community, and future.
Those applying will have served as the leader and primary spokesperson for a highly visible, ideally complex organization with a wide range of audiences and stakeholders. They should have experience in raising significant funds on behalf of an institution or operation from individual and institutional donors. Candidates must have a deep passion for the arts and the role they play in elevating the human condition.
For more than 150 years, the Brooklyn Academy of Music has been the home for adventurous artists, audiences, and ideas—engaging both global and local communities. With world-renowned programming in theater, dance, music, opera, film, and much more, BAM showcases the work of emerging artists and innovative modern masters.
A nationally recognized search firm focused on recruiting transformational leaders for mission-driven organizations, Isaacson, Miller has conducted thousands of placements over more than three decades. More than half of the firm’s work has been in academia, involving university presidents, college chancellors and deans. The firm has filled top leadership posts at Wellesley College, Washington State University, Miami University, Howard University, Bowdoin College, Dartmouth, NYU, Virginia State University, and the University of North Carolina, among others.
Since joining Isaacson, Miller in 2011, Mr. Tobin has worked on searches across multiple sectors. Representative clients include higher education institutions, foundations, and cultural organizations. Additionally, Mr. Tobin has helped drive the firm’s practice in recruiting for schools of art, architecture, and design, placing presidents, provosts, deans, and other academic and administrative leaders to institutions around the country.
Ms. James has been recruiting chief executives for national and international nonprofits since 1996. She has partnered with a variety of notable institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, National Gallery of Art, Brooklyn Museum, MFA Boston, MFA Houston, Wexner Center for the Arts, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, World Monuments Fund, SFMOMA, New York Botanical Garden, and New York City Ballet, among many others.
Related: Isaacson, Miller Helps Recruits 25th President for Marquette University
Ms. Weber joined IM in 2019. She is a multidisciplinary consultant focused on recruiting community impact executive leaders across arts and culture, higher education, healthcare, non-profits, prek-12, social justice and advocacy, human and social services, and the public sector. Her work recruiting nonprofit executive directors, CEOs, and presidents stretches nationwide. In higher education, Ms. Weber specializes in identifying health sciences, nursing, medical deans, and functional leaders on staff.
Isaacson, Miller Recruits 49th President for Georgetown University
Isaacson, Miller has recruited Eduardo M. Peñalver as the 49th president of Georgetown University. Mr. Peñalver will succeed interim president Robert M. Groves, who has led Georgetown for the past year after former president John J. DeGioia stepped down from his role in 2024 to recover from a stroke. “We are pleased to welcome Eduardo Peñalver to Georgetown University,” said Thomas A. Reynolds, chair of the board of directors. “President Peñalver is an exceptional leader steeped in the Catholic and Jesuit tradition who brings a wealth of experience in higher education, a global mindset, a commitment to social justice and academic excellence, and a bold vision for Georgetown’s future. We look forward to him joining our Georgetown community.”
Ms. Hanley oversees and supports Isaacson, Miller’s arts and culture practice and searches led by Ms. James. She brings extensive experience to the practice as a skilled project manager, writer, editor, and user experience strategist. Within arts and culture, Ms. Hanley partners with clients in the visual arts, foundations, performing arts, and higher education museums. She provides attentive administrative support and project management throughout the search and is a key liaison between search teams, clients, and candidates.
University of Virginia Search
Isaacson, Miller is also currently seeking the 10th president for the University of Virginia (UVA). John Isaacson, Keight Tucker Kennedy, John Muckle, Kelly McLaughlin, and Kristen Andersen are leading the assignment. Past president Jim Ryan resigned in June 2025 under pressure from the U.S. Department of Justice, which investigated the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
According to a briefing from Isaacson, Miller, the search process is following a classic timeline similar to many other presidential searches, including the last two conducted at UVA. Both the committee statement and the Isaacson, Miller report remark on the significant interest and impressive caliber of candidates for the position. The firm has also observed how competitive the environment is for high-quality candidates. Isaacson, Miller attributed the high level of interest to the university’s strong reputation, high academic standards and position of national leadership at a unique moment.
Related: Academic Sector Pumping Big Fees Into Search Firms
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
