Odgers Berndtson Names Co-Head of Education Practice
September 9, 2024 – Executive search firm Odgers Berndtson has appointed Dario Cortes as partner and co-head, education practice. “Our education clients invest in senior talent with the expertise and experience to manage institutional and social tensions, evolving fiscal circumstances, and an urgent need to drive impactful innovation,” said Kennon Kincaid, CEO of Odgers Berndtson USA. “Dr. Cortes possesses unparalleled first-hand experience as an academic and business leader. Welcoming him to our team will ensure we continue to deliver talent that can exceed our clients’ needs and affirm our position as a global leader in senior recruitment for the educational sector.”
Dr. Cortes is a forward-thinking leader with business acumen and talent for implementing new structures to enhance organizational operating efficiencies and increase enrollment and revenues in a fiscally responsible manner. He has relationship-building skills and has cultivated private, business, community, government, and global partnerships.
Prior to joining Odgers Berndtson, Dr. Cortes was elected to serve as commissioner of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and worked as a senior consultant with the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) in Washington, D.C. He has served as president of Berkeley College, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at Miami Regional University, vice-president of academic affairs at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) SUNY, dean at Fairleigh Dickinson University, associate dean of graduate studies at the University of Maryland, College Park, and senior program officer at the National Foreign Language Center at The Johns Hopkins University, SAIS. Dr. Cortes also taught at North Carolina State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“Throughout my career I have seen many changes across all areas of education,” said Dr. Cortes. “In this next phase of my career, I look forward to leveraging Odgers Berndtson’s integrated leadership capabilities and scale to place talent that will continue to influence positive change and innovation within the institutions they lead as well as the communities in which they serve.”
Related: Odgers Berndtson Launches Health and Wellness Recruiting Practice
Odgers Berndtson delivers executive search, leadership assessment, and development strategies to organizations globally. The firm’s 250-plus partners cover more than 50 sectors and operate out of 59 offices in 29 countries.
Recent Growth
Earlier this year, Odgers Berndtson named Marisa Smith as partner and head of its U.S. automotive and mobility practice. “Marisa’s extensive experience and strategic vision are exactly what we need to enhance our leadership in the automotive and mobility sectors and support our ambitious growth strategy in the U.S.,” said Mr. Kincaid. “Her proven track record and unique perspective will be invaluable as we continue to expand our industrial practice and reinforce our commitment to being at the forefront of industrial technology markets.”
Odgers Berndtson U.S. and SurePeople Launch Onboarding Program
Odgers Berndtson U.S. and SurePeople have launched a new onboarding program leveraging SurePeople’s platform, powered by the Prism psychometric algorithm and Harvard Business Publishing content. “Our executive onboarding program complements the executive search process by blending the experience of our human capital practice with robust psychometric data to generate actionable insights that help new leaders, and their teams, during the first 120 days,” said Jon Barney, industrial sector practice leader at Odgers Berndtson. “Powered by SurePeople’s patented technology and Harvard Business Publishing’s world-class content, this innovative program leaps beyond conventional offerings.”
“Marisa’s appointment marks a significant step in strengthening our global automotive practice,” said Emanuel Pfister, global automotive lead. “Her expertise in executive search and her experience with clients across North America, Europe, and Asia will not only elevate our work in the U.S. but also enhance our global connectivity, ensuring we deliver unparalleled service to our clients worldwide. We are proud to have Marisa onboard, and look forward to the heights the U.S. automotive and mobility practice will reach under her leadership.”
“Marisa’s joining is a testament to our focus on industrial technology and our commitment to leadership in the automotive and mobility sectors,” said Jon Barney, head of Odgers Berndtson’s U.S. industrial practice. “Her vision for the practice aligns perfectly with our goals of providing exceptional talent solutions and thought leadership in industrial markets, especially at this time when they are undergoing significant transformation.”
Related: Odgers Berndtson Boosts Technology Practice, Scale-Up Offering
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
