Kennedy Hawkins

Kennedy Hawkins, MBA, JD, LLM is the Director of the Executive Development Center (EDC). He was asked to come back on campus and lead the EDC. Kennedy has a very rare educational background. He received his Master of Business Administration from Willamette University as well as his Doctor of Jurisprudence. Leading the EDC is a joyous homecoming for Kennedy. Willamette University had a profound impact on him professionally and personally.

In addition to his degrees from Willamette University, Kennedy has a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Oregon State University and a LLM in Taxation from Southern Methodist University. He is passionate about training leaders and helping organizations excel.

While back on campus, Kennedy led a team of Willamette University College of Law and Atkinson Graduate School Management professors, along with industry experts, to create the Healthcare Leadership Certificate Program. This program is the first of its kind in Oregon. This program launched in 2025.

Prior to assuming his EDC role, Kennedy was the President & CEO of PT Northwest for 21 years. He helped PT Northwest become a widely respected physical rehabilitation group at the state and national levels. In 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, & 2022, PT Northwest was named a Top Oregon Workplace by The Oregonian newspaper. Kennedy was instrumental in helping PT Northwest win the National Association of Rehabilitation Agencies (NARA) 2016 Innovation Award. He has 34 years of leadership experience.

In addition to his EDC responsibilities, Kennedy is a national healthcare leader. He currently chairs NARA’s Outpatient Special Interest Group. He has been involved with NARA since 1996. During his NARA tenure, Kennedy has served as President, Past President, Vice President, Treasurer, Board Member, and Regional Coordinator. He has won NARA’s George G. Olsen Award and NARA’s Service Award. In 2023, Kennedy received Intermountain Healthcare’s ROMS Quality Improvement Award. He has severed on numerous industry work groups. Many regard Kennedy as a “thought leader” in the areas of healthcare and leadership.

Another area of interest for Kennedy is public speaking. He really enjoys connecting with people. Some of his speaking venues have included the American Physical Therapy Association, NARA, Intermountain Healthcare, Hartford Healthcare, University of Pittsburg Medical Center, the Veterans Administration, the US Capitol, and various universities.

Kennedy believes in strongly giving back to his community. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards, such as the Willamette Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Sherwood West Citizen Advisory Committee on Land Use Planning. Currently, Kennedy serves on Willamette University’s College of Law & Atkinson Graduate School of Management’s Healthcare Programing Task Force.

Kennedy enjoys snowboarding with his family, hiking behind his in-laws' farm in the Highlands of Scotland, international travel, and mentoring teens and young adults.