Our Team
GRANT DEROO
Founder and Principal
As ADV’s founder and principal consultant, Grant designs, executes, and delivers market research solutions for clients. Grant believes in the transformative power of a college education, and has spent his career in higher ed as both a practitioner and consultant.
Before founding ADV, Grant was the Director of Research & Strategy at an education-focused marketing agency. In this role, Grant scoped and conducted market research for higher education clients across the country. Prior to that, Grant worked in admissions at Elon University where he gained a foundational understanding of admissions strategy, recruitment marketing, and higher education administration. These experiences afforded him both depth and breadth in his knowledge of higher education, which he now brings to bear for clients at ADV.
Grant earned his B.A. in Anthropology and MBA in Data Analytics from Elon University. The former taught him the value of qualitative research, the latter showed him the power of data—both are critical in his work today.
ANNE MCCORMICK
Project Manager
As project manager, Anne assists with project administration and communication throughout each step of our work. She provides clear and consistent communication between all parties and shepherds engagements through to completion in accordance with project timelines. She is simply a doer and makes things happen.
OUR ANTAGE
ADV
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Unlike many large firms, we don’t “productize” solutions as if taking an order. At ADV, no two approaches are the same because each solution is designed according to your questions, circumstances, and existing resources.
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We’ve worked with universities and organizations of all stripes on a variety of issues and challenges. With each engagement, we learn something new that grows our body of knowledge.
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Addressing complicated challenges requires multifaceted solutions. Our holistic perspective—and diversity of services—allow us to address significant issues in a methodical and comprehensive way.
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We didn’t choose the social sector by accident — this is our passion. Higher education and non-profits fulfill critical needs in our society. We consider it a privilege to partner with those who provide tremendous value to their constituents and communities.
Our Name
“ADV” is not an acronym, but it does stand for something.
The letters “adv” begin three Latin words that define what we do and how we do it. Latin is rooted deep in the fabric of education. It’s the “academic language” used in school mottos, crests, and seals. Even the very word “education” is derived from educo, Latin for “lead out.”
With our roots and focus in education, it is only fitting that we derive our name from Latin. The three words succinctly summarize what we do at ADV: organizations call on us to apply our minds and provide solutions.
Our Clients
