Paula Fazli

Paula Hurley Fazli co-founded and has co-led Sage Search Partners since 1999, following six years as Vice President of a boutique executive search firm. She has partnered with hundreds of higher education institutions, not-for-profit organizations, and foundations to recruit exceptional individuals for a range of leadership positions including presidents and others in academic affairs, student affairs, enrollment management, administration and finance, human resources, research administration, and institutional planning. Strategic and insightful, Paula has extensive experience collaborating with search committees and decision-makers at the highest level and helping her institutional clients to navigate leadership transitions. She has recently led senior-level searches for Moore College of Art & Design, Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and Emerson College, among many others.

Paula graduated from Harvard University, cum laude, and received her Master’s degree in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Early in her career, she worked in production management at the American Repertory Theatre. She then joined Orion Consultants, a market research and executive search firm, with clients in the financial services industry. After graduate school, Paula held a variety of administrative positions, including Career Specialist at the Boston Private Industry Council, Founding Program Director for the National Academy Foundation’s programs in the Boston Public Schools, and Chief of Staff to the High School Superintendent in Boston. She has served on boards and committees of local and national organizations and is an avid tennis and platform tennis player.