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 UToledo Board of Trustees and UToledo Health Board. Additionally, she works collaboratively with academic, administrative and external partners, and provides leadership in support of UToledo’s mission while advancing strategic initiatives leading to improved institutional performance.
DeBenedictis began working at The University of Toledo 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’s Basketball for the UToledo women’s 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 The University of Toledo.
DeBenedictis joined the president’s office team as Director of Senior Administrative Operations for Dr. Sharon L. Gaber in July 2015. She added the responsibilities of Secretary to The University of Toledo Board of Trustees in September 2019. She served both roles under the 18th president of The University of Toledo, 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. UToledo President James Holloway promoted DeBenedictis to Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategic Initiatives in September 2025.
A UToledo 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.