Greenwood Asher & Associates Expands Executive Team to Support Growing Demand, Serve Diverse Base of Higher Ed Clients

MIRAMAR BEACH, FL (February 1, 2023) – Greenwood Asher & Associates (GA&A) today announced the appointment of four new vice presidents and experienced higher education and executive search professionals as senior members of its leadership team, alongside GA&A vice president and managing director Susanne Griffin who leads the firm.

The expanded leadership team – which adds additional talent with experience as university presidents; deans; public university system heads; senior diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practitioners and internal search consultants – will equip GA&A to build on existing domain expertise and expand its capacity to serve an increasingly diverse portfolio of higher education clients.

“Grounded in our identity as a trusted, women-founded business and collaborative partner to our clients across higher education, we’re expanding to meet the growing demand we see from the institutions we serve,” said Griffin. “The increasing complexity of the higher education ecosystem requires, more than ever, leaders that are well-matched to the institutions they lead. For decades under the leadership of co-founders Jan Greenwood and Betty Asher, the firm has exemplified a commitment to elevating transformative leaders in higher education. With these incredible additions to our team, we’re positioned to double down on the foundation of service and excellence established by our founders.”

The four new vice presidents of executive search include Robert Caret, Jeremy Duff, Jim Johnsen and Tracey Weldon.

Robert Caret is the chancellor emeritus of the University System of Maryland and served as the former president of the University of Massachusetts. He also recently served as the chair of the National Association of System Heads and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities Board of Directors. Caret holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of New Hampshire, and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Suffolk University in Boston.

Jeremy Duff previously served as managing director for the University of Virginia’s Executive Search Group within the Office of the President. In this role, he conducted senior leadership searches for the University and executive searches for university foundations. He also led the creation of the University of Virginia’s talent recruitment operation and served as a principal with DHR International, one of the largest executive search firms globally. Duff earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton.

Jim Johnsen most recently served as a senior fellow at the National Association of System Heads and president of the University of Alaska system. He serves on advisory boards at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and the University of Pennsylvania and continues to publish on a variety of higher education topics. Johnsen received his bachelor’s degree in politics at the University of California, Santa Cruz; a master’s degree in political science at the University of Chicago; and a doctorate in higher education management at the University of Pennsylvania.

Tracey Weldon is the former dean of the Graduate School and vice provost for Graduate Education at the University of South Carolina. She also served as the inaugural diversity officer in the College of Arts and Sciences and one of the original members and co-chairs of USC’s Council of Academic Diversity Officers. Weldon received her bachelor’s in French and English from Furman University and her Ph.D. in linguistics from The Ohio State University.

Jan Greenwood and Betty Asher will continue to serve the firm and GA&A’s clients as strategic advisors and the firm’s most senior counselors. 

“For decades, our strength has rested not only in our vast network and experience as leaders within higher education, but in the thorough process and collaborative approach that guides our work with each client,” said Greenwood. “Our expanded team re-affirms and expands these strengths.”

“I cannot imagine a firm with a staff – both our new colleagues and our long-standing peers – that is better equipped to serve institutions within the current higher education landscape,” added Asher. “Under the leadership of this team and in collaboration with Susanne, this firm is positioned to continue to elevate the executive search process and provide critical services.”

Since its founding, GA&A has supported more than 2,000 successful searches and garnered a 97% repeat client rate. More than half of the firm’s clients have made selections representing people with diverse identities, backgrounds, experiences and skills, reflecting the firm’s long-standing commitment to DEI. GA&A boasts a vast network, built over 20 years, that spans the entire higher education sector.

About Greenwood Asher & Associates
Greenwood Asher & Associates is dedicated to elevating education leaders and the organizations they serve. Our core business is executive search and recruiting. Our long-term and continuing commitment to our clients has extended our services to include executive coaching, leadership development, and strategic consulting. Learn more at greenwoodsearch.com.