WittKieffer Names Leader of Board Advisory Solution
June 27, 2025 – Oak Brook-IL-based WittKieffer has appointed Laura Orr to expand and lead the firm’s board advisory solution. “Boards that are engaged, effective, and strategically aligned have a significant impact on organizational success,” said Susan M. Snyder, executive partner for leadership advisory at WittKieffer. “We’re thrilled to welcome Laura to our team to develop these high-impact boards. Laura’s background, expertise, and consultative approach help her bring an insightful perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by today’s governing boards.”
“For more than 55 years, WittKieffer has served as a trusted partner to boards of directors across industries within the ‘quality of life’ ecosystem, including healthcare, academic medicine, higher education, and the life sciences. Laura will build on that tradition,” said Andrew Chastain, CEO of WittKieffer. “Laura brings a wealth of experience and an exceptional reputation in the governance community. Her work reflects our mission to develop impactful leadership teams that contribute to communities and society.”
As a senior partner and global board advisory leader, Ms. Orr will partner with boards to acknowledge their strengths, identify their opportunities, and increase their impact. She is an accomplished executive and board advisor with two decades of operations, strategic planning, and board governance experience and has deep expertise in facilitation and leadership coaching. In 2021, Ms. Orr founded her own firm, Forward Governance Consulting, which provided guidance for boards of directors in healthcare, academic medicine, and related industries. Her board consulting supported boards to evolve their structure, navigate leadership transitions, and align on strategy. Prior to her consulting career, she spent ten years with Children’s Wisconsin health system, most recently as chief strategy and governance officer, and held leadership roles with Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center as well as Methodist Healthcare.
Mr. Orr also brings a trustee’s perspective, serving on non-profit boards in her local community. An advocate for women in leadership, she serves on the steering committee for Milwaukee Women Inc., an organization dedicated to advancing inclusive leadership. Ms. Orr is a certified coach through the College of Executive Coaching, International Coaching Federation, and BoardSource.
“I am honored and excited to write my next career chapter with WittKieffer,” said Ms. Orr. “With more than half a century of experience, WittKieffer demonstrates an unwavering commitment to organizations impacting the quality of life and has built a culture of excellence. I look forward to joining this strong, respected team and bringing my passion for governance to help clients optimize board performance, drive strategy, and advance mission through governance excellence.”
Related: WittKieffer Launches Global Emerging Sciences Practice
WittKieffer 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.
Recently Launched Physician Leadership Institute
WittKieffer recently launched its Physician Leadership Institute, an initiative designed to support and prepare experienced physicians for executive leadership roles across the healthcare field. The institute offers customized executive development led by a team of experienced physician leaders and leadership coaches and tailored to the specific needs of hospitals and health systems. “I am extremely proud to announce the launch of the Physician Leadership Institute. The Institute offers organizations modular and customizable choices to meet the unique needs of physician leaders,” said Susan M. Snyder, executive partner of WittKieffer’s leadership advisory services and one of Physician Leadership Institute’s leadership coaches. “Too often, we see healthcare executives and physicians at odds when they – and their communities – are better served when they work together. This begins with mutual understanding, a core aim of the Physician Leadership Institute”
WittKieffer Unveils New Program to Speed the Impact of Physician Executives
WittKieffer has released a new program to expedite time to success for physician leaders taking on new roles. The accelerating impact for physician leaders solution differentiates itself from other physician leadership training and support in that it is customized to the executive, their specific role, and their organization. In addition to a coaching component, the program features direct mentorship from a highly experienced and proven physician leader. “Physician leadership is critical in healthcare’s current era which prioritizes quality, efficiency, and patient centricity,” said Raj Ramachandran, senior partner of WittKieffer’s leadership advisory. “While many physicians are natural born leaders, they are challenged to transition into increasingly demanding roles and to make an immediate impact upon their teams and organizations.”
“At WittKieffer, we believe that empowering physician leaders is not just about filling executive roles – it’s about shaping the future of healthcare,” says Raj Ramachandran, co-director of the Physician Leadership Institute. “The Physician Leadership Institute provides a structured, immersive development experience that gives physicians the skills, confidence, and support needed to lead with impact. This ensures the long-term success of their organizations and the well-being of their teams, patients, and communities.”
“Physicians are natural-born leaders, but there are competencies and qualities that must be cultivated to succeed in senior leadership roles,” said Michael Anderson, an accomplished physician leader and co-director of the Physician Leadership Institute. “It starts with comprehensively assessing an individual’s areas of need and strengths to leverage, then developing a personalized, structured program for growth. Becoming a great physician executive requires intentionality and the kind of support the Physician Leadership Institute offers.”
“Highly impactful physician leadership is critical for today’s healthcare organizations to thrive,” the search firm said. “Physician leaders leverage clinical expertise to improve patient care, bridge communication gaps, drive innovation, enhance financial performance, and support physician well-being. WittKieffer’s Physician Leadership Institute helps participating physician leaders deepen their self-awareness and provides them with the tools to meaningfully advance as leaders.”
Related: WittKieffer Appoints Chief Operating Officer
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
