Kellogg School Completes Senior Leadership Team

11/1/2012 - The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University today announced it has completed its new senior leadership team with two key appointments from industry: Will Garrett as associate dean for executive education and Tim Simonds as chief marketing and engagement officer.

“As a premier global business school, we’ve sought to create a team that combines the best of business and academic thinking – and we’ve succeeded,” said Dean Sally Blount. “Our team includes a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the former chairs of our finance and strategy departments, as well as leaders from such organizations as General Electric, McKinsey & Company and PepsiCo. Together this team will work with our faculty and administrators to bring our strategic plan, Envision Kellogg, to fruition over the next five years.”

“Kellogg is perfectly positioned to redefine management education in the 21st century,” said Miles White, chief executive officer of Abbott and chair of Kellogg’s Dean’s Advisory Board. “With a winning team in place and bold strategy, Kellogg is uniquely equipped to educate the next generation of business leaders to effectively build organizations and wisely leverage markets.”

Garrett, a Kellogg and Northwestern alumnus and a former McKinsey & Company partner, leads the school’s global executive education unit, which partners with thousands of executives from around the world each year to provide short courses in organizational leadership and operations. Garrett came to Kellogg after 17 years in the Chicago office of McKinsey where he advised the leaders of major global corporations in strategy, growth and change management. During a several-year hiatus from McKinsey, he also held senior management positions at GE Capital Railcar Services and Netfuel Ventures.

“The opportunity to lead executive education at Kellogg was incredibly appealing on the heels of my 17-year McKinsey tenure,” said Garrett. “It’s a chance to most immediately impact the world of business by equipping executives to think nimbly, strategically and creatively in today’s fast-paced, ever-evolving business environment.”

Simonds, appointed as chief marketing and engagement officer, is also a Kellogg and Northwestern alumnus. At Kellogg—a school well known for its marketing leadership—Simonds will be responsible for directing the school’s marketing, branding and outreach strategies. He will soon be leaving his current role as general manager in global service marketing and marketing operations for General Electric’s Healthcare IT Division. Prior to joining GE, he worked at United Airlines as managing director in marketing and merchandising, and began his career with a 13-year tenure at Procter & Gamble, where he was brand manager for the Olay and Cascade brands.

“As a student at Kellogg, I came to understand and learn how creating winning brand and marketing strategies can transform organizations,” said Simonds. “It’s a privilege to return to Kellogg, applying what I honed here and at leading global companies, to reinvigorate the Kellogg brand, and drive a global approach to building our brand with key stakeholders. And it’s a tremendous opportunity to lead this function at the world’s top marketing school.”

For more information about the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, visit www.kellogg.northwestern.edu. Any media requests can be directed to Jeffrey Brennan at j-brennan@kellogg.northwestern.edu.