JR Hipple has devoted his career to management and communications consulting, providing
advice to businesses, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations across
the nation. He is the managing partner responsible for SIR’s organizational development
and leadership strategy work, and he heads up our education and diversity, equity, and
inclusion (DE&I) practice areas.

JR uses his 20 years of experience working with colleges, universities, and community
colleges to help develop and implement leadership, communications, and DE&I strategic
plans targeted at crucial stakeholders

— the internal campus community (faculty, staff, students, parents), alumni, community
neighbors, and area businesses. JR and SIR’s recent education clients include:

• Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) – conducted a cultural assessment around
  DE&I after a blackface photo was uncovered on the yearbook page of the governor
  of Virginia, an EVMS graduate. Methodology: secondary, qualitative and
  quantitative research
• Virginia Commonwealth University – supported the development of a comprehensive
  DE&I strategic plan, which was initiated after African American students held a sit-in at
  the president’s office. Methodology: the creation of the President’s Advisory Group on
  Diversity and Inclusion, town hall meetings, and secondary, qualitative and quantitative
  research
• Mary Washington University – advised president and cabinet after racist acts by
  university rugby team members and the murder of a leader of the LGBTQ student
  group. Methodology: qualitative research
• The Collegiate Schools – a comprehensive cultural assessment and a strategic plan
  around DE&I for this 100-year-old private, K-12 school. Methodology: secondary,
  qualitative and quantitative research (this work is led by SIR CEO John Martin)
  JR brings an insider’s perspective of higher ed as visiting lecturer and adjunct instructor at
  the Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia, as an adjunct
  instructor at the Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond, and as the
  president of the Boston University Alumni Association and ex officio member of the Boston
  University board of trustees.
  
  Before joining SIR in 2016, JR was managing partner and co-owner of Atlanta-based Albright
  Group Reputation Management (previously named Hipple & Company.), an independent
  consulting firm. His work included: supporting a nearly nine-year cultural change program
  around diversity and inclusion for Georgia Power and providing strategic and organizational
  planning for the Martin Luther King Center for Non- Violent Social Change. He continues to
  serve as an advisor to Martin Luther King III and Realizing the Dream Foundation, renewing
  an organization founded by his father.
  
  JR currently serves on the boards of the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation “Committed
  to Health Equity,” SwimRVA “Drown Proofing Richmond,” and on the advisory board for The
  Community Foundation of Richmond. Previously, JR served as chair of the Center for Ethics
  and Corporate Responsibility at Georgia State University, editorial board member of INSIGHT
  Into Diversity magazine, co-chair of the Atlanta Communicators Leader Board, and advisory
  board member of Central Atlanta Progress.
  
  
  MS, Boston University (public relations) BS, Miami University (marketing)
  Member of: PRSA Counselors to Higher Education
  Boston University Alumni Association, president
  Boston University Board of Trustees, ex officio member