Darden Seeks New Exec Ed Leader

The University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, today (March 8) announced that it is conducting a national search for a new senior associate dean and chief executive officer for Darden Executive Education.

Dean Robert Bruner has appointed a search committee comprised of several Darden faculty members led by Darden Professor Erika James, as well as senior School leaders, to guide the effort. Interested applicants for the position should review the job description and contact Korn/Ferry’s Ken Kring, senior client partner, at 1835 Market Street, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 U.S.A. Their contact e-mail address is dardenexecedceo@kornferry.com.

Darden Executive Education is consistently ranked as one of the best executive education programs in the world. Darden offers both “open-enrollment” and “custom” designed programs throughout the year for executives and managers who seek solutions to key business challenges and aim to develop their business and leadership skills and teams. The programs range in length from a few days to a full month. Visiting executives stay onsite at the Inn at Darden and participate in Darden’s high-engagement learning experience, led by Darden’s No. 1-rated faculty and based on the distinctive “case study” method of learning.

“Darden’s long-standing commitment to high quality and results-oriented learning is the reason why many of the world’s leading organizations consider Darden a critical component of their corporate strategies,” said Bruner. “We will continue to set the stage for the sustainable growth and success of our partners and our Executive Education program.”

For the duration of the search period, Thomas Colligan, a renowned expert in the field of executive education, will serve as interim CEO. Colligan retired as vice chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers after a 37-year career with the company. He then served in executive education leadership roles at both Duke University and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. In recent months, Darden Executive Education has engaged Colligan as a consultant.

David Newkirk, who led Darden Executive Education as CEO for more than six years, recently announced his resignation from the position to return to executive consulting.

“Under Newkirk’s leadership, Darden Executive Education program has secured its reputation as a top five global leader,” said Bruner in a statement. “Before joining Darden, Newkirk was a senior partner at Booz, Allen & Hamilton in London. He has been a trusted advisor to me and will continue to serve in an advisory role as we transition to new management.”

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