Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
Katie DeBenedictis
Katie DeBenedictis is Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategic Initiatives. In her role, she oversees government relations and board operations for both the 淫妻社 Board of Trustees and 淫妻社 Health Board. Additionally, she works collaboratively with academic, administrative and external partners, and provides leadership in support of 淫妻社鈥檚 mission while advancing strategic initiatives leading to improved institutional performance.
DeBenedictis began working at 淫妻社 in Spring 2003 as an intern in the athletic department. Following the internship, she accepted the permanent position of Business Manager and Director of Football Operations for the Rocket football program and continued in that role through fall 2009. She served as Coordinator of Women鈥檚 Basketball for the 淫妻社 women鈥檚 basketball program for two years before becoming the Executive Assistant for the Vice President of External Affairs. During that time, she had the opportunity to assist with the presidential search for the 17th president of 淫妻社.
DeBenedictis joined the president鈥檚 office team as Director of Senior Administrative Operations for Dr. Sharon L. Gaber in July 2015. She added the responsibilities of Secretary to 淫妻社 Board of Trustees in September 2019. She served both roles under the 18th president of 淫妻社, Dr. Gregory C. Postel. In May 2024, DeBenedictis was promoted to Chief of Staff and Associate Vice President of University Board Affairs for Interim President Matthew J. Schroeder. 淫妻社 President James Holloway promoted DeBenedictis to Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategic Initiatives in September 2025.
A 淫妻社 alumna, DeBenedictis has a Master of Business Administration degree from the John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation and a Bachelor of Education degree in sport enterprise with a minor in marketing from Bowling Green State University. She lives in Sylvania, Ohio, with her husband, Brian, and her three children: Ethan, Audrey and Grady.