San Jose State University Executive and Leadership Team

Rebecca Dukes, the Chief Executive Officer, Tower Foundation at San Jose State University, directs all philanthropic initiatives and asset management strategies. Overseeing the financial growth of the foundation, the Chief Executive Officer, Tower Foundation ensures alignment with university research goals and long-term endowment sustainability. This leadership role involves cultivating donor relationships and managing complex investment portfolios to support campus infrastructure. By optimizing capital allocation, Rebecca Dukes directly impacts the university's ability to fund academic programs and student scholarships. Through strategic oversight of foundation assets, Dukes secures the necessary resources to maintain competitive educational standards. The Chief Executive Officer, Tower Foundation coordinates with the Board to implement fiscal policies that promote institutional stability. Ultimately, Dukes drives the financial health of the foundation, ensuring that all charitable contributions effectively advance the core mission of the university across the broader academic community.

Ninh Phamhi, the Chief Financial Officer, Office & Director, Internal Control at San Jose State University, manages the university's fiscal health and regulatory compliance frameworks. Overseeing the integrity of financial reporting, the Chief Financial Officer, Office & Director, Internal Control ensures that all budgetary processes adhere to strict institutional and state standards. This leadership role involves designing robust internal control systems to mitigate financial risk and ensure transparency across all departments. By monitoring revenue streams and expenditure patterns, Ninh Phamhi directly impacts the university's ability to allocate funds toward critical research and teaching initiatives. Through the implementation of rigorous auditing procedures, Phamhi maintains the financial accountability required for public university operations. The Chief Financial Officer, Office & Director, Internal Control coordinates with external auditors and internal stakeholders to uphold fiscal discipline. Ultimately, Phamhi secures the financial foundation necessary for the university to sustain its academic mission.

Robin Hemsley, the Chief Operating Officer at San Jose State University, directs the daily operational functions and campus infrastructure management. Overseeing the physical and digital environments, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that university facilities and support services meet the needs of students and faculty. This leadership role involves optimizing resource distribution and managing large-scale operational projects to enhance campus efficiency. By implementing sustainable practices across all university departments, Robin Hemsley directly impacts the quality of the learning environment. Through strategic planning of operational workflows, Hemsley maintains the functionality of essential campus systems. The Chief Operating Officer coordinates with various stakeholders to ensure that infrastructure investments align with the university's long-term growth strategy. Ultimately, Hemsley drives operational excellence, providing the necessary foundation for high-level research and teaching activities to flourish within the university's diverse academic ecosystem.

Shawn Whalen, the Chief of Staff at San Jose State University, manages executive communications and coordinates high-level administrative workflows. Overseeing the integration of departmental objectives, the Chief of Staff ensures that university leadership remains focused on strategic priorities and operational efficiency. This leadership role involves facilitating cross-functional collaboration between academic units and administrative offices to streamline decision-making processes. By managing the flow of information to the executive team, Shawn Whalen directly impacts the agility of the university's response to changing educational demands. Through rigorous oversight of institutional projects, Whalen maintains alignment with the overarching vision of the university. The Chief of Staff monitors progress on key initiatives, ensuring that all administrative functions support the broader goal of academic excellence. Ultimately, Whalen optimizes the executive office's performance, fostering a cohesive environment that enables the university to achieve its long-term research and teaching objectives.

John Kepley, the Deputy Chief of Staff at San Jose State University, supports the executive office by managing special projects and facilitating interdepartmental communication. Overseeing the execution of strategic directives, the Deputy Chief of Staff ensures that administrative tasks align with the university's broader goals. This leadership role involves coordinating complex schedules and managing high-priority initiatives that require cross-campus collaboration. By refining operational processes, John Kepley directly impacts the efficiency of the executive team's decision-making. Through the management of key administrative workflows, Kepley maintains the momentum of university-wide projects. The Deputy Chief of Staff works closely with other leaders to ensure that communication remains clear and consistent across all levels of the organization. Ultimately, Kepley drives the successful implementation of strategic plans, ensuring that the university's administrative functions remain responsive to the evolving needs of the academic community and the broader public.