MBA · University of Chicago Booth | PhD · University of Pennsylvania, Annenberg School for Communication
Three decades of fiscal, strategic, and operational leadership in higher education and nonprofit settings. Transforming organizations through mission-driven decision-making, fundraising excellence, and high-impact strategy.
What I Offer
Tailored, high-impact counsel for universities, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations navigating complex challenges.
Leading organizations to define and execute their missions. Designing innovative master plans that drive disciplined execution and repositioning institutions in competitive marketplaces.
Expert negotiation strategy developed across academic, diplomatic, and international settings — including representation at the United Nations and the Holy See.
Leveraging an MBA-grounded business mindset to analyze financials, optimize budgets, and drive revenue growth — including fundraising, endowment management, and cost reduction.
Turning around organizations confronting financial and operational challenges. Articulating the case for change and mobilizing boards, faculty, and communities to execute.
Communications strategy, crisis communications, and public speaking coaching — drawing on two decades of teaching at Notre Dame, Georgetown, and Creighton.
Creating and directing leadership programs — including the mid-career MBA program for physicians at Creighton University School of Medicine.
About Eric
Eric Zimmer brings a rare combination of academic rigor, executive leadership, and spiritual depth to every engagement. With an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a PhD in Communications Theory from the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School, he has spent more than three decades leading institutions through change, growth, and renewal.
As President of the University of Saint Francis (2020–2023), Eric reversed declining enrollment during one of higher education's most challenging eras — growing the endowment by 53%, achieving an average annual surplus of $3M, and saving over $3.7M in operational costs, all while launching new programs, expanding campus facilities, and championing DEI initiatives.
Before USF, Eric served as Associate Teaching Professor at Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, representing the College at the United Nations Global Compact for Responsible Management Education. He has also served as an Attaché at the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations, directed leadership development at Creighton's School of Medicine, and taught at Georgetown University.
Having previously served in the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) for 35 years , Eric brings a values-centered perspective shaped by decades of international service in Nepal, Mexico, France, Italy, and Chile — and a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and the dignity of every person.
Led 350 employees, $56M annual budget, 2,000 students. Reversed enrollment decline, grew endowment 53%, generated $3M average annual surplus.
Taught strategy, negotiation, and crisis communications across EMBA and MS programs. UN Global Compact representative 2015–2020.
Represented human rights in Catholic teaching at the UN General Assembly Third Committee.
Created the Leadership Development Program; evolved into a mid-career MBA program for physicians.
Managed interactions with 1,000+ Anglophone universities. Automated reporting, reducing processing time by 50%+.
Taught in the Communication, Culture & Technology Program. Chaired the Arrupe Scholarship for Peace, distributing millions to students from conflict zones.
Expert negotiation advising, strategic communication, and financial analysis for organizations navigating complexity and seeking sustainable success.
Track Record
Decades of leadership translated into concrete, quantifiable outcomes for the organizations I've served.
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Whether you're leading a university, nonprofit, or mission-driven organization — let's talk about how strategic counsel can move your mission forward.