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Navigating Leadership Transitions With Washington’s Kim Durand

Guest Kim Durand, Washington
16:14 min watch

Summary

“We are relentlessly committed to our culture.” That’s Washington Deputy AD/SWA Kim Durand in conversation with ADU’s Steph Garcia Cichosz at the 2024 NACDA Convention. The two discuss how Durand and her team navigated three Athletic Director transitions within the span of an academic year along with a conference realignment move from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten and a Head Football Coach change, along with several other key personnel moves across Huskies Athletics. Durand offers insight into maintaining stability for her direct reports as well as for student-athletes, noting that she encouraged her staff to remain grounded in the department’s “sole purpose” of serving athletes while remaining open to new ideas from new leaders. Durand: “Stay committed to what sets you apart.”

The conversation is indexed below for efficient viewing (click the time stamp to jump to a specific question/topic).

  • - Washington Athletics went through three Athletic Directors over the span of an academic year - how have you, as a senior leader in the department, conveyed stability to your team?
  • - What strategies do you tap into - with the senior staff or with your direct reports - to team-build?
  • - What are your strategies for quickly building trust and alignment with a new AD?
  • - Did you notice or develop any specific strength or skill during this year of significant leadership transitions?
  • - How did you message that stability to the student-athletes?
  • - Your background is in educational policy and the landscape for higher ed has been fraught recently - what are institutions like UW getting right?
  • - Talk to me about the relationship with campus, especially through your perspective with Student Services?
  • - How can the department stay nimble when it comes to advancements in technology related to the academic side of the house? What are ways you continue to stay innovative?
  • - What were some of your ways for setting boundaries and allowing yourself some space from the busyness of all these changes and transitions?
  • - You've been deeply involved in N4A - what advice do you have for young professionals who know they should get involved but haven't jumped in yet?
  • - Is there a habit that has increased your productivity in your personal or professional life?

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