Russell Reynolds Associates Seeking President for Lake Forest College
April 1, 2025 – Academic institutions continue to pump big fees into executive search firms nationwide. Many academic recruiting specialists say business, in fact, has never been better despite some sectors of executive search slowing over the past year. Even smaller recruiting outfits have multiple assignments running concurrently, all at the senior levels, and if there’s any slowdown coming it is to be found at the talent identification stage. With so much activity, it seems, talent demand is far outstripping the supply. The hunt for interim academic leadership is also picking up pace.
In recent months, a number of top schools have announced they are looking for new, high profile leaders to take them into new eras of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, in some cases, globalization. And like many sectors, talent shortages have made it difficult to place senior executives in a timely manner. Several universities haven’t changed leaders in years or even decades, and their boards of trustees and search committees are finding an entirely new and highly competitive landscape as they set out. It’s another good reason why they’re calling in executive search firms to help out.
Global leadership advisory firm Russell Reynolds Associates is leading the president for Lake Forest College. In December, Jill Baren stepped down as president, effective immediately, with no reason for her departure provided. Lake Forest College’s next leader will motivate and guide a stellar leadership team and a cohesive campus community to the highest standards of excellence among liberal arts colleges in the coming decade.
Reporting to the board of trustees, the next president will build strong relationships with faculty, staff, students, and alumni while fostering positive collaboration with the town of Lake Forest, the city of Chicago, and partners in the national liberal arts college community in moving the college forward. This leader serves as the chief fundraiser and spokesperson/ambassador for Lake Forest College. The next president of Lake Forest College will play a leading role in developing a forward vision and a renewed sense of shared purpose for the college, building on the institution’s strengths. The president will focus on the following priorities in addition to the daily responsibilities of running the college.
The president must embody the values of Lake Forest College and its commitment to its academic excellence. Candidates are expected to demonstrate strong credentials and evidence of a deep understanding and appreciation for the professional work of higher education, especially at a liberal arts college. Experience as an effective, strategic leader of complex organizations, preferably in the field of education A proven history of fundraising success or the personality qualities that indicate strong potential in this area, with an understanding that it is a critical and key responsibility of this leadership role.
Private Liberal Arts College
Lake Forest College is a private liberal arts college in Lake Forest, IL. Founded in 1857 as Lind University by a group of Presbyterian ministers, the college has been coeducational since 1876 and an undergraduate-focused liberal arts institution since 1903. Lake Forest enrolls approximately 1,500 students representing 43 states and 80 countries. Lake Forest offers 32 undergraduate major and minor programs in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and features programs of study in pre-law, pre-medicine, communication, business, finance, and computer science.
The High Demand for Higher Education Leaders Continues
A number of top colleges and universities have announced they are seeking new, high profile leaders to take them into new eras of fundraising, digitalization, sports and, in some cases, globalization. Several universities haven’t changed leaders in years or even decades, and their boards of trustees and search committees are finding an entirely new and highly competitive landscape as they set out. It is another reason why they’re calling in executive recruiters to assist. In recent interviews with Hunt Scanlon Media, a range of executive recruiters who focus on higher education agreed that the challenges facing the sector are significant. The higher education landscape is shifting across the world, and the next generation of university leaders require a unique set of skills to negotiate this change. The traditional university model is being challenged by growing student migration, disruptive technologies, and an increasingly competitive market-driven economy.
“The higher education sector has become truly global, with academics moving internationally to enhance their careers,” says Odgers Berndtson. “Today’s university leaders must be able to create and demonstrate fiscal as well as academic value for stakeholders. An increasing focus on international collaboration and industry partnerships requires higher education leaders to be commercially savvy and politically agile.”
Russell Reynolds Associates is a global leadership advisory and search firm. Its 520-plus consultants in 47 offices work with public, private, and non-profit organizations across all industries and regions. The firm also conducts in-depth organizational culture assessment and measures the cultural fit of key leadership and candidates in the following areas: arts and culture, global development, higher education, non-profit health and human services, public sector, social justice and advocacy, as well as trade and professional associations.
The firm provides executive search services across all areas of the global media, entertainment, technology, and athletics markets. The firm’s consultants bring the experience and ability to assess competencies and cultural fit of board members, CEOs, senior functional leadership and players, with expertise in professional sports teams and leagues (CEOs, general managers, coaches and players); digital, media and entertainment; and technology-based start-ups.
Related: In Changing Times, Higher Education Sector Seeks New Types of Leaders
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
