Jim Mayer lends management expertise and professional experience in higher education to the Center for Student Opportunity Board. Originally from Colorado, Mayer graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Denver, the first in his family to earn a college degree. He holds numerous academic and business awards, including a Fulbright Fellowship for study in Germany. Mayer earned his Doctorate from Harvard University, where he taught economic and business history courses. As a Freshman Dean, he was a member of the Administrative Board of Harvard University and served as an admissions officer.

Mayer has more than twenty-five years of experience in supporting leaders at all levels of organizations in the design and implementation of change strategies for individuals and teams. He has gained recognition and praise for his breakthrough work in the areas of executive coaching, strategic planning, leadership development, organizational design, and team problem solving. His clients have included: American Express, AT&T, Citibank, Deloitte & Touche, Fannie Mae, Hewlett-Packard, Johnson & Johnson, Lucent Technologies, McDonalds, M&M Mars, Mobil, Olivetti, Pfizer, Texaco, Tupperware, the United States Department of Defense, Volvo, and the World Bank.

Clients have recognized Mayer for his unique combination of practical experience, creativity, and sense of humor. As a master facilitator and savvy business coach, he has worked with organizations on a global basis to provide consulting services that are customized to the client’s specific requirements and produce positive results for the individual and the organization.

Mayer served as Vice-President of Manchester Partners International where he helped establish the company’s Mid-Atlantic consulting practice and implemented pioneering programs in strategic team building and the successful transition of newly appointed leaders.

Jim joined Manchester after seven years with Organizational Dynamic, Inc. (ODI) where he was Director of Consulting and Training Services. Among his many accomplishments at ODI, he served four years as the director of the company’s largest and most profitable global project.

Prior to his tenure at ODI, Jim directed his own consulting group which worked with Fortune 10 companies and their key clients to implement team-based strategies which improved customer satisfaction levels and streamlined process efficiencies. His consulting practice was based on research and business case analysis developed at the Harvard Business School, where he served as Senior Associate in the Division of Research.