Alex Vasquez

As careers in higher education and nonprofit leadership evolve, titles alone don’t tell the full story. Moving into senior roles requires more than deep expertise within a single function. It calls for the ability to lead across the organization, influence peers, and act as an institutional thinker. At Integrated Strategy, we help leaders develop both their vertical depth—the expertise that grounds their work—and their horizontal reach.

Stepping into a new leadership role in higher education or the nonprofit sector is more than a promotion; it's a transition and an evolution that necessitates a shift in mindset. The shift from individual contributor to organizational leader requires new skills, deeper self-awareness, and a broader vision for your own leadership.

Across the first half of this year, we’ve been in trusted conversation with higher education leaders—Presidents, Vice Presidents, Deans, and Directors—at some of the country’s most dynamic institutions. What we’re hearing is clear: this moment demands strategic focus, steady leadership, and the ability to navigate complexity with confidence.