Whiteboard Research brings unique expertise in higher education policy to bear on transactional due diligence, market research
WASHINGTON, D.C.—April 3, 2018—Whiteboard Research, the education-focused research and advisory practice of Whiteboard Advisors, today announced the appointment of Alison Griffin and Noah Sudow as Senior Vice Presidents. Griffin and Sudow join the firm’s fast-growing higher education and workforce team, which conducts market and policy research for education companies and organizations, and supports with policy and regulatory challenges associated with transactional due diligence.
“Investors often struggle to understand the practical or commercial implications of policy dynamics at the federal and state levels,” said Whiteboard Advisors co-founder Ben Wallerstein. “Noah and Alison bring practical insights to otherwise complex challenges, and share a deep commitment to issues of equity and access that inform our perspective and the work of our clients.”
Griffin served two terms as higher education policy advisor to the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce during the last reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, and has also served as an advisor to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Early in her career, Griffin was the federal policy liaison to the Lumina Foundation, helping to connect the foundation’s college completion agenda to key stakeholder audiences. A go-to commentator on higher education policy trends for journalists, entrepreneurs, and investors, Griffin’s writing and commentary has been featured in outlets including Bloomberg, POLITICO, and EdSurge. She previously served as Senior Vice President for External and Government Relations for Strada Education Network.
“We are at an important crossroads for higher education: the ‘traditional’ student has changed, and as such, they are demanding a clearer connection between their educational experience and preparation for employment,” said Griffin. “Our team is committed to helping entrepreneurs and investors understand and navigate the complexity of a dynamic policy environment in order to make thoughtful decisions and have a positive impact.
Sudow is the former Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the Ohio Board of Regents, where his accomplishments include the renewal of the Ohio Third Frontier, the state’s two-billion-dollar initiative to promote innovation and entrepreneurship; the creation of the Ohio GI Promise, allowing public higher education institutions to hold equity in spin-off companies; and the first-ever statewide technology transfer agreement with Proctor & Gamble. He has also held roles in education philanthropy, serving as Director of the Battelle Memorial Institute’s STEM Innovation Lab. Sudow returns to Whiteboard Advisors after most recently serving as Special Assistant to the President at Hillel International.
“From the federal to the state level, innovation depends on collaboration – between policymakers, practitioners, investors, and education leaders,” said Sudow. “We’re passionate about bridging gaps between stakeholders working to improve outcomes and make good on the promise of higher education.”
Whiteboard Advisors regularly publishes policy and market research, including Education Insider, which covers education policy trends, and W/A Notes, a weekly digest of education industry and policy news and commentary. On June 1, 2018, the firm will host its second annual Education Insider Summit, which brings together federal and state policy decision-makers for an off-the-record discussion about trends and developments in education policy.
To receive a copy of Education Insider or W/A Notes, please visit whiteboardadvisors.com/#. For more information about the policy summit, please contact events@whiteboardadvisors.com.
