As an Associate in WittKieffer’s Education Practice, Bronwen Bares Pelaez brings to her role over two decades of leadership across the education, training and development, research, and campus crisis management sectors. She leverages her extensive academic background to understand each client institution’s most pressing leadership challenges and to identify leaders to address those challenges and achieve mission fulfillment. Bronwen is known for her integrity, ability to connect with clients and candidates alike, and passion for advancing the careers of members of underrepresented groups. Prior to joining WittKieffer, Bronwen served as Dean of Students for the Division of Academic & Student Affairs at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami. As Dean she supervised the Dean of Students Office and the institution’s Case/Care Management team, including its Panthers Care Initiative, student Title IX compliance programs, and the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity. She oversaw all policies of student behavior and chaired the behavioral intervention team (BIT). She simultaneously served as Adjunct Faculty and Liaison for the M.S. in Higher Education Program with the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education. In this role she coordinated and liaised between the academic program, the graduate students, and across the university for over 50 Graduate Assistantship positions and other annual training and development initiatives. The courses Bronwen taught graduate and doctoral students included Contemporary Issues in Higher Education, Crisis Management in Higher Education, Practicum, Women and Higher Education, and College Student Life and Cultures. Prior to her Dean of Students role, for over a decade she worked in leadership roles at FIU’s Women’s Center, most recently as its Director, overseeing a department offering more than 100 campuswide gender equity and identity-focused programs, engaging more than 10,00 students annually. In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses at FIU, Bronwen’s academic career also includes teaching undergraduate courses at the University of South Carolina and the University of Maryland. In her personal time, Bronwen loves spending time with family and friends, and enjoys outdoor activities including running, hiking, kayaking, and more. She is based in the New York metropolitan area. Distinctions FIU Presidential Service and Innovation Award, Emergency Aid Team (2022) FIU Student Affairs: Leadership Award (2017) FIU Student Affairs: Supervisor of the Year Award (2016) FIU Student Affairs: Bright Idea Award (2012) FIU Student Affairs: Professional Development Award (2008, 2010) FIU Operational Excellence Award (2009, 2011, 2013) FIU Presidential Excellence Award, Center for Leadership & Service (2019) NASPA Influences on Student Learning Spotlight (2009) Education Ph.D., Higher Education, Florida International University, Miami, Florida M.Ed., Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina B.A., Music, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland Graduate Certificate, Women's & Gender Studies, Florida International University, Miami, Florida