President & Executive Strategist - Mackey Strategies (Dev)

Testimonials

“Pete Mackey has collaborated with Skidmore College in multiple capacities, as interim VP for Communications and Marketing, as coach for multiple directors and cabinet members, as moderator for high-level discussions about key strategic priorities, and as facilitator for cabinet retreats and planning for institutional change management. He is wicked smart, widely experienced, and brings a passion for collaboration and bringing out the best in individual leaders and in institutions. Pete both challenges and supports, pushing higher ed leaders to embrace change and encouraging them to conceive of themselves as collaborative leaders. He brings a refreshing honesty and candor to the work, telling it like it is while simultaneously helping people see exciting and positive paths forward.”
— Marc Connor, President, Skidmore College

“Pete Mackey served as our Interim Chief Communications Officer during a period of tremendous transition and challenge in our organization. As a new CEO, he helped me learn about the communications landscape. He also created an interim strategy that set our team on a new course to success. His knowledge of the field and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty made him a wonderful partner in this work.”
— Angel B. Pérez, CEO, National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)

“Pete Mackey is one of the finest and most discerning writers I know, and a great listener. He takes even fragmentary ideas, quickly helps you clarify your own thinking, and efficiently produces compelling texts to fit any need. But besides that, he is gifted at developing strategies and communications that fit together beautifully.”
— John C. Bravman, President, Bucknell University

“Pete Mackey guided Aurora University through a critical chapter in our institutional story. After a period of intensive enrollment growth, he collaborated with trustees, faculty, administrators and staff to fashion the communication and marketing strategies that will carry the university through the next five years. The outcomes of the process were impressive. So too was the widespread ownership of Mackey’s recommendations that emerged as a result of his ability to listen closely and then to weave a vibrant tapestry of ideas.”
— Rebecca L. Sherrick, Former President, Aurora University

“Pete Mackey is simply the best. Having seen his body of work over many years, I am convinced that no one is better in higher education communications than he. Creative and highly professional, Pete also has a unique ability to make work downright fun. From marketing and branding, video, print to social media channels and so much more, Pete is a complete expert in many categories. What I admire most is his ability to translate strategic institutional priorities into every word and action. Few people have the capacity to think very strategically while creating and implementing critical tactical plans. Having worked with many higher education consultants, I believe Pete is in a category by himself.”
— Scott G. Nichols, Former Senior Vice President, Boston University

“Pete Mackey’s breadth of professional experience allows him to apply his strategic know-how to whatever the issue at hand may be. He is an innovative thinker with the ability to anticipate and respond to crises that campuses may face, to develop meaningful relationships with media, and to initiate relevant research and develop coordinated institutional priorities and corresponding messages built around it. At Amherst, Pete was an invaluable resource for Admission and Financial Aid as we developed a new family of publications and a revitalized presence on the college website, and as we commenced development of a multi-year strategic communication plan.”
— Katharine Fretwell, Former Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, Amherst College

“Dr. Pete Mackey is simply outstanding. He is a gifted writer and a person who understands strategy. I believe he is one of the most capable people I have ever had the opportunity to work with during my career. He is a person of both great vision and integrity.”
— William Harris, Founding Director General of Science Foundation Ireland; Former Assistant Director of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the National Science Foundation

“Pete Mackey’s talents are obvious in the field of communications and marketing. He has advised us as well as many clients on all of their external messaging. But what we realized, and what is not obvious, is that Pete is an excellent strategist on so many issues, someone who can help transform your organization.”
— Shelly Weiss Storbeck, Former Managing Partner, Storbeck Search