Heather J. Larabee
Practice Leader and Managing Consultant
Contact Heather
Heather J. Larabee is a practice leader and managing consultant with Spelman Johnson, a premiere executive search firm exclusively committed to serving higher education. Working out of a satellite office in Northwest Florida, Heather partners with colleges, universities, and associations to conduct searches for executive officers and senior leaders across a broad range of functional areas, including student affairs, enrollment management, public safety, and auxiliary services.
Heather has significant experience in every facet of the executive search process and has conducted more than 100 searches in her tenure. She is passionate about collaborating with public and private colleges and universities to recruit talented leaders who can help shape the institution’s future and improve the student experience. Her goal is to provide each client with a slate of candidates so highly qualified that search committees and hiring officers are hard-pressed to make a top pick. Her drive for excellence in executive search infuses every aspect of her practice and leads to exceptional service, successful placements, and long-term relationships with clients, prospects, and candidates. Clients especially appreciate her energy, optimism, integrity, responsiveness, and good humor.
Before joining Spelman Johnson, Heather most recently served as assistant dean of students and director of campus activities at the University of Southern California, where she previously served as assistant director for cultural arts and activities. Before that, Heather was director of student life at Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina, and a program coordinator in the division of student affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Heather has published several articles and has been a presenter at conferences sponsored by the National Association for Campus Activities, the Association of College Unions International, and NASPA—Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. She earned a BS in marketing from the University of West Florida, a MEd from the University of Florida, and an EdD in educational leadership from the University of Southern California.