Hugh Porter

Vice President, Client Partnerships

Hugh Porter has had an extensive career as a higher education leader. Currently, Hugh consults with colleges, universities and private secondary schools in the areas of executive coaching, fundraising, strategic planning and volunteer and trustee support and management.

Hugh began his practice after a highly successful tenure as Vice President for College Relations and Planning as well as Acting President at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. During his career there Hugh chaired the college’s most recent strategic planning efforts, authoring Reed’s current strategic plan.

His twenty-six-year career at the college included direction of the college’s fundraising, alumni relations, communications, campus events and career and fellowship programs.

He also supported the work of the board of trustees as the staff support for the trusteeship committee and in arranging meetings and retreats and recommending and supporting board agendas. During this time, Hugh oversaw the college’s centennial celebrations and completed three fundraising campaigns and launched a fourth. Prior to Reed, Hugh worked in Yale University’s Development Office. It was from Yale that Hugh received A.B. and M. Phil degrees (music history). Before and during college, Hugh pursued education and performance opportunities as a cellist studying with Aldo Parisot at Yale and Dennis Brott at Interlochen Arts Academy. He now lives in NE Portland with his wife, Jill Soltero. They have two adult children.