The SJG Team
Ellen Heffernan, Partner
Ellen Heffernan received her B.A. in economics and government from Smith College. She joined SJG in 1996, after a 10 year career in higher education that included positions at Smith College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In addition to working on search assignments for her clients, Ellen manages the firm's headquarters in Easthampton, Massachusetts.
Katherine Johnson Schneider, Board of Directors
Kate Johnson Schneider received her B.A. in psychology and education from Dartmouth College and her M.S. Ed. in higher education counseling from the Graduate School of Education and Human Development at the University of Rochester. She has a wide variety of professional experience in higher education and the private sector and is a founding partner of SJG.
Martha H. Smiles, Senior Associate
Martha Smiles joined SJG in 2000, after beginning her career in executive search in 1998 when she worked part-time for two firms, one specializing in secondary school searches and the other in corporate searches.
Prior to her work in executive search, Martha served as an admissions officer for Connecticut College and Skidmore College. In addition to her on-campus admissions-related responsibilities, Martha served as a delegate to the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), Executive Board member of the New York State Association for College Admissions Counseling (NYSACAC), and on-site Coordinator for NYSACAC's Summer Institute.
Martha remains involved with several professional associations and frequently attends both national and regional conferences. Martha received her B.A. in English from Lake Forest College, and operates a satellite office in southeastern Connecticut, where she focuses on search management, client and candidate relations, and new business development.
When not working, Martha enjoys tennis, running marathons to support the Hole in Wall Gang Camp, Inc., walking her two Tibetan Terriers and cooking gourmet meals.
Valerie B. Szymkowicz, Senior Associate
Valerie Szymkowicz received her B.A. in natural science/environmental studies from New England College and her M.Ed. in student personnel from the Graduate School of Education at the University of Vermont. For over 20 years, she worked in higher education at both public and private, research, baccalaureate, and liberal arts institutions, principally in the areas of academic advising, experiential education, and career services.
Valerie joined the executive search industry in 1999 and has served as an associate with SJG since 2002. With a strong belief in cultivating leadership potential among talented rising stars, Valerie has been a guest presenter at the NASPA Region I Mid-Managers Institute facilitating discussion on professional development priorities for the last three years. Valerie's current responsibilities as an SJG senior associate include search management, client and candidate relations, and new business development.
Valerie and her family reside in rural Vermont, where she putters in her garden, takes an occasional schuss down snow-covered mountains, and volunteers as a 4-H Horse Club leader.
Peter W. Rosenberg, Senior Associate
Peter Rosenberg received his B.S. in psychology and English from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point and his M.Ed. in student personnel administration from Colorado State University. During a career spanning 25 years at higher education institutions across the country, Peter has served on the Executive Board of the Association of College and University Housing Officers - International (ACUHO-I), as president of the Northwest Association of College and University Housing Officers (NWACUHO) and on the faculty of the National Housing Training Institute (NHTI).
Peter joined SJG in 2005, and his current responsibilities include search management, client and candidate relations, and new business development.
Peter lives in the northwest corner of Washington state and spends his free time trail running, hiking in the Cascade Mountains, and sea kayaking with orcas.
Jennifer N. Hiatt, Associate
Jennifer Hiatt earned her B.A. in English and her M.Ed. in Higher Education at Arizona State University. After a 15 year career in higher education at California State University, Chico, Arizona State University and New Mexico State University, Jennifer joined SJG in early 2008. Jennifer served as Secretary and then President of the Association of Inter-Mountain Housing Officers and was a faculty member of the National Housing Training Institute.
Her current responsibilities include search management, client and candidate relations, and new business development.
Jennifer recently relocated to Colorado and is enjoying exploring the mountains with her two dogs. She is looking for new volunteer opportunities with an animal rescue or shelter. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and, most recently, cutting wood for the winter.
