Jim Johnsen brings a wealth of expertise to GA&A as vice president of executive search. With a background in, and passion for, leadership in higher education, business, and government, Jim has a profound understanding of the higher education landscape. He has successfully led numerous executive searches to fill critical positions such as presidents, chancellors, vice presidents, deans, and other key leadership roles in private and public institutions. Before joining GA&A, Jim served as president of the University of Alaska system, commissioner for the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education, and member of the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association. His proficiency in navigating the complex interplay of leadership, governance, and organizational politics positions him as a knowledgeable and trusted advisor. Jim earned a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and additional degrees from the University of Chicago and the University of California, Santa Cruz. He has continued his scholarly contributions as a Senior Fellow at the National Association of Higher Education Systems, an affiliate faculty member at the University of California, Berkeley and advisory board member for the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s McPherson Eye Research Institute. He also served as editor of Public University Systems: Leveraging Scale in Higher Education, published in 2024, by Johns Hopkins University Press. Jim’s passion for aligning leadership requirements with institutional qualities ensures his commitment to driving client success through strategic talent acquisition, making him an invaluable asset to the GA&A team.