Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer
Dr. Lesley Netter-Snowden has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer since December 2025. In this role, she provides strategic direction and operational leadership for the University’s administrative and financial functions, including auxiliary services, human resources, campus infrastructure and operations, and finance. As EVP/CBO, she is responsible for driving operational efficiency, developing growth strategies, overseeing financial planning, managing facilities, and supporting leadership’s strategic analysis and decision-making.
Dr. Netter-Snowden, who joined Kennesaw State in 2017 as chief institutional auditor,
has held several leadership roles including Vice President of Business Services and
Assistant Vice President of Campus Services. Before joining KSU, she spent 13 years
working at EY, a Big 4 public accounting firm, primarily serving not-for-profit clients.
Dr. Netter-Snowden holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education Management
from the University of Georgia, along with a Master of Accountancy and Bachelor of
Science in Business Administration from Auburn University. She is a certified public
accountant, a University System of Georgia Executive Leadership Institute Scholar
(2022), and a member of the Leadership Georgia Class of 2024. Dr. Netter-Snowden enjoys
traveling, reading and trying new restaurants with her husband
Contact:
470-578-7374
Jessica Bailey
Executive Operations Director
Jessica Bailey has been with Kennesaw State University since 2016 and has supported
operational, financial, and administrative functions across Enrollment Services, Housing
& Residence Life, and Fiscal Services. Most recently, she served as the Director of
Business Services within Housing & Residence Life, where she oversaw business operations,
financial strategy, compliance, and residential conference support. Jessica earned
both her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and her MBA from KSU.
Outside of work, Jessica lives on two opposite ends; she is either at home reading,
watching her favorite true crime shows, or working on home projects, or she is seeking
her next adventure. She enjoys traveling with friends and family, working out regularly,
and attending live music events. Fun facts about Jessica are that she has gone skydiving
and has boxed recreationally.
Nic Capomacchia
Associate Vice President of Real Estate
With over a decade of experience in real estate, Nic Capomacchia brings a diverse background spanning consulting, corporate real estate, and public‑sector development. Prior to joining Kennesaw State University, he held roles with Ernst & Young, RaceTrac’s Corporate Headquarters in the Galleria area, and most recently served as a Real Estate Project Manager for Atlanta Beltline, Inc. In that role, Nic focused on land acquisition and commercial activation to support the Beltline Trail's expansion, including property dedicated for affordable housing and economic development initiatives across the forty-five Beltline neighborhoods.
Nic holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and International Business
from the University of Georgia, a Master of Science in Economics from Georgia State
University, and a Master of Real Estate Development from Georgia Tech.
Nic lives near the Beltline Trail in Atlanta and outside of work; he enjoys family
time, cooking, traveling, and sports.
Tiffany Hartz
Executive Director of Marketing & Communications
Tiffany Hartz serves as the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications for the Administration and Finance Division and brings more than a decade of experience in higher education marketing and communications. She joined KSU in 2014 and has held several roles in Housing and Residence Life and on the Campus Services marketing team. Prior to her current role, she was the Director of Marketing for Campus Services. Tiffany holds an MBA from KSU’s Coles College of Business and a Bachelor of Science from the University of North Georgia.
She lives in Acworth, Georgia, where she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter,
and their dog, Chase, who once starred in a KSU Bookstore commercial.
Zach Kerns oversees Event and Venue Management (Event Coordination, Event Services, Venue Management, Broadcast, Event A/V and Night Owls), Plant Operations (Energy Management, Maintenance and Operations), Facility Services (Building Services, Landscape and Grounds, Fleet and auto shop), Business and Fiscal Operations (including Resource Management), Presidential Events and Protecting Minors. Prior to this role, Kerns served as the Executive Director of Event and Venue Management at KSU. Before joining KSU in 2017, he held positions as General Manager of Littlejohn Coliseum and the Senior Associate Director of Campus Life with Facilities and Operations at Clemson University. He started his career as the Director of Production for TigerPaw Productions while he was a student at Clemson University. He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Clemson University. Kerns enjoys woodworking, hunting, fishing, sports and spending time with his wife, three kids and dog.
Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Ryan McLemore oversees the Office of Fiscal Services as the Chief Financial Officer
and has over 20 years of experience in governmental accounting, budgeting, financial
reporting and procurement in K-12 public education and higher education. Ryan has
served as KSU's Controller for over four years. Prior to joining KSU, he served as
the Chief Financial Officer for the Griffin-Spalding School System. Ryan is a graduate
of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and is a Certified Public
Accountant.
Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer
Karen McDonnell oversees all Human Resources functions at KSU including HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, Compensation, Benefits, HR Operations, HR Information Systems, Employee Relations and HR Communications. Before joining KSU in 2018, McDonnell was the Executive Director of Human Resources at Piedmont Healthcare (2011-2015) and the Senior Vice President of Human Resources at PruittHealth (2015-2017). McDonnell holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration from Stonewall College and a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Southern New Hampshire University. Currently, she is enrolled in a graduate program in Organizational Coaching at the University of Georgia.
Julie Page has been with Kennesaw State University since 2015, currently serving as the Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives. In this capacity, Julie oversees the university's strategic planning efforts, ensuring alignment between the university, divisional, and college objectives. Her responsibilities also include overseeing project management, change management, and process improvement initiatives within the Administration and Finance division. With over 23 years of experience in project management and a PMP certification, Julie recently added credentials as a Strategic Planning Professional and Change Management Practitioner. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master's in Business Administration.
Associate Vice President, Planning, Design and Construction
With more than 20 years of experience in architecture, construction management, and
higher education facilities, Gowri Pillai has successfully led the planning and delivery
of complex capital projects, infrastructure improvements, and campus development initiatives.
She provides strategic leadership for campus planning, design and construction, environmental
health and safety, sustainability, space management, and interior design, ensuring
the University's physical environment supports student success, research excellence,
and institutional growth.
Prior to joining KSU, she held leadership positions at Georgia State University. She
also worked with Turner Construction Company on research and laboratory projects for
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Harvard University, as well as
projects for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice.
Known for building high-performing teams, improving processes, and driving operational
excellence, Pillai is committed to creating innovative, sustainable, and student-centered
environments that advance KSU's strategic priorities. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture
and a Master of Construction Management.
Outside of work, she enjoys strength training, traveling, and exploring new cultures
and cuisines with her family.
Lee White joined Kennesaw State University in 2017 and has served in her current role
for the past two years. During her time at KSU, she has held several leadership positions,
including Director of Parking and Transportation and Executive Director of Campus
Services, building a broad understanding of campus operations and student-facing services.
Prior to joining KSU, Lee working as a transportation professional, providing consulting
services in Metro Atlanta. She holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration and
a Master of Business Administration from Mississippi State University.
Outside of work, Lee stays busy with her three young children and their many sports
activities and enjoys playing tennis whenever she can.
