Kathleen Walters, a Syracuse University alumna and business executive, will replace Steven Barnes as chair of the university’s Board of Trustees in May 2019, according to a Monday SU News release.

Walters currently serves as vice chair of the board and as executive vice president of Georgia-Pacific LLC, a major paper products company, according to the release. She will succeed Barnes when his term ends in May 2019, and will be the first woman to hold the position, per the release.

The chair of Board of Trustees is one of the most influential decision-makers at SU. Barnes has served as chair since 2015, and has been essential to institutional planning under Chancellor Kent Syverud. The board unanimously elected Walters as chair, according to the release.

In addition to her role as vice chair, Walters works on several of SU’s planning committees, including those for budget and academic affairs, according to the release. Walters and her husband Stanley Walters, a graduate of the Class of 1972, have supported university initiatives including the Annual Fund and the Cold Case Justice Initiative, according to the release.

She worked as a CEO of SAPPI Fine Paper North America, and has held leadership positions at international companies like Scott Paper Co. and Kimberly-Clark Corp, both paper product companies, according to the release.

Walters also holds a position on the board of directors for the World Affairs Council, INVISTA, Georgia Aquarium and the Grocery Manufacturers Association, according to the release.

She graduated from SU in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, and earned a master’s degree in finance and strategic planning from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, according to the release.

Published on November 12, 2018 at 12:44 pm

Contact Casey: [email protected] | @caseydarnell_