Suzanne Coffey joined K&A in 2020 as a senior consultant with 35 years of experience in higher education including leadership in senior positions in student affairs as Chief Student Affairs Officer, as Special Assistant to the President, and as Director of Athletics. Now, in her expanded role as Vice President for Consulting Services and senior consultant, she focuses on executive coaching and strategic and implementation planning in student affairs and athletics & recreation.

In projects ranging from coaching cabinet level leaders to executing university-wide strategic plans to assisting stand-alone centers with future strategy, Ms. Coffey brings deep experience and interest in the study and implementation of organizational change processes and in designing inclusive organizational culture.

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Coffey served as Chief Student Affairs Officer at Amherst College, where she led the restructuring of Amherst’s student affairs division—helping advance the undergraduate experience in health and counseling, residence life, student activities, orientation, and community standards. This work included modernizing counseling and health services, establishing accessibility and case management services, and creating a unique student advising model. In addition Ms. Coffey provided leadership for the design and construction of the multi-million dollar Greenway Residence Halls. Ms. Coffey also played a key role in establishing Amherst LEADS, the leadership program that has since been replicated at other top-tier institutions.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Coffey served as Interim Vice President at the Institute for International Sport, as Sport Ethics Fellow, and as Commissioner of the 2006 World Scholar-Athlete Games. A respected leader in college sports, she has received multiple honors including national administrator of the year. She has extensive experience in national athletics governance and has served as chairperson of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) committees, including service as the elected chair of the NCAA Division III Management Council.

Ms. Coffey earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art from the University of New Hampshire, and a Master of Public Policy and Management from the University of Southern Maine’s Edmund Muskie School of Public Service. She resides in coastal Maine, and is an active outdoor enthusiast and artist.

• Athletics
• Student Affairs
• Title IX