Meredith Harper Bonham, PhD

Meredith Harper Bonham is a Director at Stanton Chase Washington, D.C. She focuses on higher education as part of the firm’s social impact practice.

As a former college administrator for nearly three decades, she applies her higher education expertise to guiding executive talent searches and fostering inclusive recruitment practices. Prior to joining Stanton Chase, she spent three years as Managing Director for another retained executive search firm, where she established a reputation for superior client service and candidate engagement with non-profit, college/university, and healthcare clients.

Meredith’s career began at Hamilton College (NY), where she held increasingly responsible positions in admissions and development before joining the Office of the President. As Chief of Staff to the President and Secretary to the Board of Trustees, she coordinated executive-level decision-making for the College as well as staffing all cabinet-level searches. At Kenyon College (OH), Meredith served for six years as the inaugural Vice President for Student Affairs, successfully overhauling the organizational framework for over 120 staff, while advancing a culture of trust and student-centered leadership.

Meredith holds a PhD in higher education administration from Syracuse University, a master’s in administration, planning, and social policy from Harvard University, and a bachelor’s degree in history (cum laude with high honors) from Kenyon College. A resident of Columbus, Ohio, Meredith is an active community volunteer who currently serves on the boards of Friends of the Columbus Metropolitan Library and Huckleberry House. She and her husband Jay are the proud parents of two sons.