WittKieffer Names Leader of Advancement Practice
October 14, 2020 – Executive search firm WittKieffer has appointed Greg Duyck as leader of the firm’s advancement practice. “Greg’s extensive executive search experience in the field of higher education, as well as his notable expertise in the realm of fundraising, make him well-suited for this key role within our firm,” said Zachary Smith, managing partner and leader of WittKieffer’s education practice. “I can attest to what a dynamic leader he is and am excited for what’s to come for the Advancement Practice with him at the helm.”
The firm described Mr. Duyck is a natural fit to guide WittKieffer’s team for advancement, an area within the firm’s education practice dedicated to recruiting vice presidents of advancement and development; capital campaign leaders; and executives in all areas including principal gifts, advancement services, alumni relations, corporate and foundation relations, and planned giving for prominent higher education institutions.
Mr. Duyck has more than two decades of executive search and fundraising experience. He joined WittKieffer in 2019 as a principal in the firm’s education practice, building on an education- and philanthropy-focused career. He previously served as senior associate vice president of development at Stony Brook University and held fundraising-focused leadership roles with the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Sciences University and The Rhode Island Foundation. Mr. Duyck also previously launched and managed his own grant consulting firm.
Mr. Duyck is a frequent and popular presenter at conferences including the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Council on Foundations. He has also published multiple articles and three book chapters related to fundraising.
“Amid our current environment, transformational change is no longer a lofty goal but a mandate for survival for institutions both large and small,” said Mr. Duyck. “As such, the need for fundraising and advancement that is as creative as it is strategic is more important than ever. I’m looking forward to building upon WittKieffer’s market-leading position in advancement leadership recruiting and helping institutions progress toward their long-term goals.”
Seasoned Search Consultants
WittKieffer, based in Oak Brook, IL, assists hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, medical schools and physician groups; biotech, pharmaceutical, diagnostics and medical device companies; colleges and universities and not-for-profit community service and cultural organizations with senior administrative recruiting assignments. With more than 100 search professionals nationwide, its consultants recruit CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CNOs, physician executives and other leaders.
WittKieffer Names Board Services Practice Leader
WittKieffer has appointed James King as leader of its board services practice. In addition to his new role, Mr. King serves as a senior partner and the firm’s chief quality officer, a board member and member of its diversity council. “Today’s business landscape has been severely altered as a result of COVID-19, leaving even the most seasoned boards questioning traditional governance practices and wondering if their members have the skills and abilities to thrive in an uncertain future,” WittKieffer said.
WittKieffer recently appointed Natalie Derry to the role of managing partner and practice leader, education, for its WittKieffer International operations. Based in London and Edinburgh, Ms. Derry has been instrumental in WittKieffer’s growth outside the U.S. and in fulfilling its ability to operate seamlessly on a global scale. “We are fortunate to have Natalie leading the continued expansion of our education practice internationally,” said C.J. Bolster, WittKieffer’s managing director of global operations. “She has worked with some of the most prestigious institutions in education and continues to build the reputation of our firm worldwide.”
WittKieffer also expanded its interim leadership practice into the field of higher education. The practice, first launched in 2018 to provide interim leaders to the firm’s healthcare industry clients, will now also serve clients in academia that are seeking temporary executives to ensure leadership continuity in these difficult times, the firm said.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
