leadership search for education and social impact

Spelman Johnson: an executive search firm since 1991, recognized for our work in identifying and recruiting outstanding leaders in education, advocacy associations, and social impact organizations.

Our success is strengthened by our deep and diverse relationships, as well as our continual investment in the research and development of a leadership pipeline.

We have conducted thousands of searches that have paired our clients with exceptional leaders, one position and one mission at a time. Since our founding in 1991, we have been nationally recognized for our commitment and thought leadership on issues of equity, diversity and inclusion in the executive search process.

Congratulations to our recent placements!

**Anthony Morgan**
Chief of Public Safety
Bucknell University

**Shelton Walker**
Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
Bennington College

**Nadeem Siddiqui**
Assistant Vice President of Campus Dining
Princeton University

**Letizia Gambrell-Boone**
Vice President for Student Affairs
Salve Regina University

**Chris Castro**
Associate Dean for Inclusion, Equity and Diversity in Engineering, College of Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Madison

**Connie Tingson Gatuz**
Associate Vice President for Student Development, Learning, and Social Change Education
University of Michigan

News and Resources

Executive Coach: Sarah Westfall, PhD

By Margaret Holes

Sarah Westfall, PhD Principal, Westfall Executive Advisors Sarah established Westfall Executive Advisors at the conclusion of 35 years as a college administrator. Most recently, Sarah served as Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students at Kalamazoo College, a position she retired from after 15 years. Her career includes service in residential life at… Continue reading >

Executive Coach: Kate McCaffrey, PhD

By Ellen Heffernan

Kate McCaffrey, PhD Executive Coach and Consultant - Paradigm Twist Committed to motivating and empowering her clients to enable their success, Kate McCaffrey is an executive coach and consultant who helps organization leaders to understand their competencies and skills. By focusing on identifying and clarifying their current goals, she partners with clients to determine and… Continue reading >

Orientation: How we pivoted, adapted and planned in unknown times

By Student Engagement Team at Salve Regina University

Ordinarily, being tasked to plan an in-person orientation program for an incoming class would be considered a typical expectation in our office. However, 2020 was not an ordinary year by any means. The global pandemic forced every student affairs professional to rethink how we engage current students. For those who oversee New Student and Family… Continue reading >