SENIOR CONSULTANT SPOTLIGHT – Karen Whitney, Ph.D.
Each issue we plan to highlight a different member of our Senior Consultant Team. We recently welcomed Karen Whitney, Ph.D., to The Registry in this new role but Karen has been a member of The Registry for 5 years. This is an opportunity to learn a little bit more about Karen and her thoughts on representing The Registry in this new capacity.
What drew you to taking on the Senior Consultant role with The Registry?
KW: The opportunity to serve the profession I love in a most meaningful way. Given that I have served twice as an interim executive leader, I personally know the consequential impact that interim leadership can have on a university. I also know that many colleges and universities are often in need of the wisdom and advanced experience that interim leaders bring to a position.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of this position?
KW: Working with university presidents, provosts and vice presidents from around the country. I love working with leaders who when we first talk are often overwhelmed by whatever the circumstance may have prompted their interest in an interim leader. Over time, as we talk and go through the process of recruiting a Registry Member to their college, I see the leader become energized and view the Registry Member as a strategic hire that will advance key priorities for the institution. I love it.
What aspects of the role are challenging?
KW: Working to find Registry Members with niche areas of leadership. That is areas of leadership that require very specific often narrow credentials or experiences. As we grow the numbers of Registry members this will be less of a challenge.
Coming from Registry Member status yourself, what have you learned in this role that might be helpful to our members seeking interim opportunities across the United States?
KW: The more flexible you are and the more open minded to an opportunity, the more likely you will find a wonderful placement. Do not use the same criteria you used for a regular job. These are transitional positions and intentionally short term (6-18 months). So take a risk, consider a part of the country you have not explored or a type of university that you have not worked in previously and see how it goes.
Do you think you have developed any new and unique skills in working with our client institutions while helping them address their challenges through interim leadership?
KW: I look at what I do as kind of a match-maker. A client needs an awesome interim/transitional leader and Registry Members are deeply committed to continuing to give back to higher ed. As such, my skills involve deeply listening to both groups, bringing clarity to what a consequential placement would entail, bring interested Members to the client’s attention and finalize a mutually rewarding set of expectations for the placement. Then voila! A match!
If you could use just one word how would you describe The Registry?
KW: Consequential.
Anything else you think we might want to include?
KW: Given the great challenges that higher education faces today, interim or what I call transitional leadership may be just that right leader at that right time to do the right thing for a university and the students.
SENIOR CONSULTANT SPOTLIGHT – Karen Whitney, Ph.D.
Each issue we plan to highlight a different member of our Senior Consultant Team. We recently welcomed Karen Whitney, Ph.D., to The Registry in this new role but Karen has been a member of The Registry for 5 years. This is an opportunity to learn a little bit more about Karen and her thoughts on representing The Registry in this new capacity.
What drew you to taking on the Senior Consultant role with The Registry?
KW: The opportunity to serve the profession I love in a most meaningful way. Given that I have served twice as an interim executive leader, I personally know the consequential impact that interim leadership can have on a university. I also know that many colleges and universities are often in need of the wisdom and advanced experience that interim leaders bring to a position.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of this position?
KW: Working with university presidents, provosts and vice presidents from around the country. I love working with leaders who when we first talk are often overwhelmed by whatever the circumstance may have prompted their interest in an interim leader. Over time, as we talk and go through the process of recruiting a Registry Member to their college, I see the leader become energized and view the Registry Member as a strategic hire that will advance key priorities for the institution. I love it.
What aspects of the role are challenging?
KW: Working to find Registry Members with niche areas of leadership. That is areas of leadership that require very specific often narrow credentials or experiences. As we grow the numbers of Registry members this will be less of a challenge.
Coming from Registry Member status yourself, what have you learned in this role that might be helpful to our members seeking interim opportunities across the United States?
KW: The more flexible you are and the more open minded to an opportunity, the more likely you will find a wonderful placement. Do not use the same criteria you used for a regular job. These are transitional positions and intentionally short term (6-18 months). So take a risk, consider a part of the country you have not explored or a type of university that you have not worked in previously and see how it goes.
Do you think you have developed any new and unique skills in working with our client institutions while helping them address their challenges through interim leadership?
KW: I look at what I do as kind of a match-maker. A client needs an awesome interim/transitional leader and Registry Members are deeply committed to continuing to give back to higher ed. As such, my skills involve deeply listening to both groups, bringing clarity to what a consequential placement would entail, bring interested Members to the client’s attention and finalize a mutually rewarding set of expectations for the placement. Then voila! A match!
If you could use just one word how would you describe The Registry?
KW: Consequential.
Anything else you think we might want to include?
KW: Given the great challenges that higher education faces today, interim or what I call transitional leadership may be just that right leader at that right time to do the right thing for a university and the students.
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