Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) today announced that former ambassador of the United States to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Joseph W. Westphal, Ph.D., has joined the firm as a senior advisor to the Global Industrial Market practice.
Westphal served as the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 2014 to 2017. Prior to that, he was the under secretary of the U.S. Army and the Army’s chief management officer. His extensive experience in government includes holding positions in the administrations of Presidents Carter, Reagan, Clinton, Bush and Obama, during which he worked on policy issues including the environment, energy, national security, national infrastructure and development. Westphal also worked in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate for 12 years.
Westphal is currently senior global fellow at the Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management and International Affairs, and senior fellow at the Leadership Center at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He has served as the chancellor of the University of Maine System and has held academic positions at the University of Maine, Georgetown University, The New School University and Oklahoma State University. Westphal is also a fellow at the National Academy of Public Administration.
“Joe’s extensive experience with top leadership in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East is unparalleled,” said Yannick Binvel, President, Global Industrial Market, Korn Ferry. “His deep expertise will further strengthen our firm’s talent advisory partnerships in the region. We are thrilled to welcome him to our team.”
“We are delighted to welcome Joe to our team. His expertise and relationships with leaders in the region will strengthen our advisory offering across the Middle East.” Jonathan Holmes, Managing Director, Korn Ferry Middle East.
Westphal holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He was born in Santiago, Chile, and is fluent in Spanish.