Acuity

Expertise

• Strategic communications, brand/identity development for educational institutions, nonprofit organizations
• Creative direction, photography, and graphic design
• Capital campaign and fundraising  research, strategy, and creative execution
• Qualitative and quantitative research, including high-level interviews, discussion groups, analysis, strategic recommendations, and reporting

Biography

As co-founder and principal of Acuity Advancement Group, and its antecedent, The Cohl Group, Peter leverages three decades of experience in design, the arts, and communications to articulate innovative strategic, creative, and development solutions to higher education and nonprofit clients.

In multiple engagements for The Johns Hopkins University, Peter helped build the foundation for a new culture of philanthropy through research, strategy and messaging, and identity development, culminating in the naming and underlying messaging for its $5 billion capital campaign, “Rising to the Challenge.” At Washington University in St. Louis, Peter led the development of strategy, messaging, case statements, naming, and executive creative direction for “Leading Together,” their $6.25 billion capital campaign.

Peter led the complete rebranding of The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, Muhlenberg College, and Syracuse University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, and The Ehlers-Danlos Society, including: comprehensive research; communications, marketing, interactive, and creative strategy; identity and visual systems development; strategic planning; admissions strategy, including admissions materials; and development communications, including magazines, merchandising, and interactive communications.

Previously, as Global Director of Siegel+Gale’s higher education and nonprofit practice, Peter led complete rebranding efforts at The Florida State University, Johns Hopkins University, and The Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. Peter also led large-scale interactive research, strategy, and creative efforts for College Board, positioning for Brown University and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), and overarching brand strategies for 2009 ReBrand Award-Winner, The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).

Prior to leading the Higher Education and Nonprofit Practice at Siegel+Gale—and in a previous life with Hollywood identity guru Sandy Dvore—Peter worked creatively and strategically for corporate clients including American Express, Merrill Lynch, Oppenheimer Funds, SunTrust, TCW, Daiichi Sankyo, Columbia Pictures, CBS Television, Warner Brothers, and MGM/United Artists. As a professional photographer with work spanning several decades, Peter’s subjects range from Tony Bennett to the Bolshoi Ballet.

Peter graduated cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Cornell University. A Cornell Tradition Fellow and Cornell Commitment Senior Award winner, Peter was voted one of Cornell’s “25 Most Influential Cornellians” for his work as Founder and Co-Chair of Cornell’s Image Committee. He currently serves on the boards of Cornell’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter and The Ehlers-Danlos Society.

Peter is Co-Founder of Morpheon Corporation, an educational technology and nonprofit community development firm; and Executive Vice President of the Celeritas Center for Intercultural Equity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making our world not only more inclusive, but more equitable for underrepresented minorities, immigrants, women, and low-income first-generation students.