Tim Kirley’s path to the presidency of Claremont Graduate University differs from his predecessors’, but it is steeped in both a significant understanding of the university and a career of leadership and strategic decision-making in the private sector.
In 2014, he accepted an invitation to join the CGU Board of Trustees, where he served for 10 years, the last six as chair. During his tenure, he led the Investments Committee and the Business and Finance Committee and served on the Strategic Planning and Presidential Search committees. He officially began his duties as interim president on June 2, 2024, three weeks after welcoming graduates and guests to the university’s 97th Commencement—his final act as Board chair.
His professional career spanned 35 years in corporate management at the financial services firm Edward Jones, which included positions in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Kirley joined Edward Jones in 1983, establishing the eighth office in Michigan after managing his family’s farming operations in Illinois for four years. It was during this time that he was introduced to the writings of Peter Drucker, who worked closely with the firm to shape its cultural and business practices.
After significantly growing Edward Jones’ footprint in southern Michigan, Kirley was named a principal in 1994 and was invited to the St. Louis headquarters to assume responsibility for several marketing initiatives—a position that gave him the opportunity to meet with Drucker several times. He also served on the Grassroots Political Action Task Force and the Hiring and Recruiting Task Force within Edward Jones. Three years later, he relocated to the United Kingdom to establish Edward Jones Limited. The UK was entering the European Union, which required Kirley and his partner to navigate numerous layers of regulations. Despite the challenges, the venture thrived, quadrupling in size over five years.
In 2010, he returned to the United States, where he served as chief strategy officer before being tasked with assessing how to grow the firm’s business in Canada. His recommendations were accepted, and he assumed responsibility for all Canadian operations. He commuted from Seattle to Toronto until his retirement in 2018.
Kirley earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics at Southern Illinois University and his MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.
In addition to his duties at CGU, Kirley serves on the board of Water1st, which brings water and sanitary hygiene to rural areas in Africa, South America, and India. The nonprofit invests heavily in wells, piping, and sanitary systems rather than traditional hand pumps, saving an estimated two hours a day for women and children in remote locations walking for water. Piped water also provides functional toilets, which improves the quality of life and prevents the spread of disease.
Kirley arrived at CGU on June 3, eager to meet members of the campus community. His wife of 27 years, Megan, will transition from Seattle to Claremont this summer. Two of their children live and work abroad, and their youngest attends a university in the US.