Executive Search Firm

Higher education is Isaacson, Miller's largest and most comprehensive practice, with more than half the firm’s work in university and college leadership. In thousands of searches across the entire academy, Isaacson, Miller has served the most distinguished public and private research universities and selective liberal arts colleges.

Kathryn Barry

Kate's practice at Isaacson, Miller focuses on academic leadership positions, including numerous presidential searches for a wide range of clients. Since joining the firm in 2005, she has served Ivy League universities, liberal arts colleges, technology institutes, HBCUs and community colleges.

Public and private institutions also look to Kate for provost and academic dean searches, with which she has extensive experience. The firm's business school dean practice is bolstered by her dozens of searches in the field.

Prior to joining the firm, Kate was assistant director of alumni relations at Union College. Her role as the regional director for the college's largest alumni territories involved recruiting volunteers and cultivating donors. Before joining the alumni relations office, she worked in the college's admissions office. She is a member of the Union College Board of Trustees.

Kate’s passion for higher education is rooted in its profound impact on society as a vehicle for social justice, producer of new knowledge, and engine for innovation and discovery. This animates her drive to produce the highest-quality work and find the best matches to ensure the success of the diverse array of institutions she serves.

Elizabeth Dorr

Elizabeth's primary focus is higher education leadership. Since starting at Isaacson, Miller in 2016, she has worked on searches for a number of influential and diverse institutions, ranging from community colleges to the Ivy League. While in graduate school, Elizabeth interned at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) admissions office, supporting international recruitment and managing student and alumni admissions ambassador volunteers. Prior to graduate study, she served as a senior admissions counselor at Sea Education Association, an experiential study abroad program for undergraduates aboard traditional sailing ships. Beyond her passion for international and experiential education, she brings experience working for several environmental nonprofits. Elizabeth volunteers through the alumni networks at both of her alma maters. At Williams, she is a head class fundraising agent and reunion chair, while at HGSE she is an alumni admissions ambassador and a mentor to a new graduate student each year. Her volunteer work underscores her commitment to giving back and helping cultivate the next generation of leaders.

Keith Mason

Keith Mason joined Isaacson, Miller as an Associate in 2018. Prior to joining the firm, Keith worked at Harvard College as the Program Coordinator for the Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (BGLTQ) Student Life. In this role, he coordinated events, led workshops, and served as a confidential resource for undergraduate students as they navigated difficult issues related to identity and belonging. Prior to this, Keith served as the Fellow for Student Organizations at the Harvard College Student Organization Center, where he advised student organization leaders on their activities and curated leadership development opportunities for undergraduate student leaders. He remains connected to current students by serving as a Faculty Dean’s Aide in Currier House, one of Harvard College’s residential Houses.

Keith brings together his background in diversity and inclusion, his student life experience, and his graduate studies in higher education leadership to best serve clients in their searches for exciting new leaders.