SYRACUSE — The woman who has been serving as a vice chair on the Syracuse University board of trustees will become the first female to lead the board. It unanimously elected Kathleen Walters as its next chairperson, the university said in a Nov. 12 news release. Walters, who graduated from Syracuse University in 1973, will […]
SYRACUSE — The woman who has been serving as a vice chair on the Syracuse University board of trustees will become the first female to lead the board.
It unanimously elected Kathleen Walters as its next chairperson, the university said in a Nov. 12 news release.
Walters, who graduated from Syracuse University in 1973, will succeed current board chair Steve Barnes, whose term ends in May 2019.
“I am deeply honored to have been selected by my peers to serve as the chair of my alma mater’s board of trustees,” Walters said. “Syracuse University played a significant role in my life’s trajectory, both professionally and personally, and I am thankful to have the opportunity to work on behalf of the institution that provided me such a strong education. I am humbled by the support I have received from my fellow trustees, Chancellor Kent Syverud and other members of the Syracuse University community, and look forward to taking on this critically important role.”
About Walters
Walters currently serves as executive VP of Atlanta, Georgia–based Georgia-Pacific LLC (GP) and group president of its consumer-products group. Georgia-Pacific is one of the largest retail and commercial tissue and tabletop businesses in North America, spanning more than 40 operating facilities and employing 15,000 people.
She has held her roles with Georgia-Pacific since 2007, and previously served in other executive positions at the company. Prior to joining GP in 2004, Walters held a number of key leadership positions in Europe and the U.S. for Scott Paper Co. and its parent company, Irving, Texas–based Kimberly-Clark Corp. (NYSE: KMB). She also served as CEO of SAPPI Fine Paper North America.
“Kathy brings a unique perspective, as well as a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role of board chair,” Chancellor Syverud said in the release. “She is a strong leader and a tireless advocate for Syracuse University. Kathy will make an excellent chair. I am confident great things will happen under her leadership.”
“Syracuse University is incredibly fortunate to have someone of Kathy’s caliber taking over the leadership of the board of trustees,” Barnes said. “The combination of her strategic and governance experience makes her well positioned to be our next chair.”
Walters has been “very active” in supporting the university along with her husband, Stanley Walters, who graduated in 1972, per the release. He was a two-year letterman in football at Syracuse University and went on to play in the National Football League with the Philadelphia Eagles, and after retiring was a radio color commentator.
Kathleen Walters regularly speaks with Syracuse University students, participating in the Syracuse Immersion Program in Atlanta, and she hosted a regional Syracuse-sponsored event in 2014, called “Power Up Atlanta.” It was a women’s networking symposium featuring Kristi Andersen, professor of political science in Syracuse’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and prominent Syracuse alumni, the university said.
The Walters reside in Atlanta. They are the parents of two grown children, Stanley and Elizabeth, who also live in Atlanta, per the release.
