Ben Edwards
Principal and Managing Partner
email: Edwards@artsci.com
phone: 919 967-7727 x21
For 18 years Ben Edwards has developed market-informed strategy for universities, colleges, graduate and professional schools, independent schools, and other non-profit institutions. He consults regularly with executive and board leaders and, when studying larger constituencies such as alumni and students, directs quantitative market research.
Education
- B.A. in history, summa cum laude, University of Virginia
- M.A., University of California, Los Angeles and Harvard University
- Ph.D., history of American civilization, Harvard University
More About Ben
When Ben Edwards was offered his first job as a consultant to nonprofits nearly two decades ago, he heard words he never thought he would hear: “Your doctorate in American studies is perfect preparation for what we do.” As it has turned out, Ben’s passion for these distinctly American institutions has fueled his career, and to this day makes him a determined student and advocate of each particular client he serves.
Mentored for seven years in university development, communications, and academic administration when exceptional leaders were taking Duke to national prominence in the 1980s, Ben believes there are three things every client should be: focused, ambitious, and clear.
His love of institutions and determination to focus each one, no matter where that leads, has involved Ben in an extraordinary variety of projects. In one he might direct a feasibility and positioning study for a fundraising campaign, in another write a strategic plan, in others run alumni studies, overarching branding efforts, student recruitment studies, board development, or national leadership studies. In addition to working for scores of universities, colleges, and professional schools, he has extensive experience with independent schools and nonprofits ranging from conservation organizations to arts institutions to foundations.
Having written the biography of a composer whose work ranged from symphonies and operas to the blues and show tunes, Ben is a lover of music of all kinds, an avid traveler, a hiker and former tennis professional, and a parent holding to the curious notion that teenagers are more enjoyable than people of just about any other age.
