Kimberlee Eberle-Sudré, a Pitt graduate who joined the chancellor’s office in February, has been named chief of staff for Chancellor Joan Gabel.

Eberle-Sudré, who worked at Pitt as a K-12 outreach instructor and coordinator for the Center for Latin American Studies from 2009 to 2012 and later earned a PhD in administrative and policy studies from the School of Education in 2020, has been working as senior director of strategic initiatives.

“Since I first worked with Kimberlee Eberle-Sudré at the Association of American Universities, I have been impressed with her expertise in educational policy, collaborative approach and can-do attitude, which she has brought in abundance in her return to the University of Pittsburgh,” Gabel said. “Kimberlee has proven to be a valuable partner in several strategic initiatives, and I look forward to working with her in this new capacity.”

As chief of staff, Eberle-Sudré joins the chancellor’s senior leadership team and assumes a role formerly held by Kevin Washo, who was elevated to senior vice chancellor of external relations in April.

“Since she returned to Pitt, Kimberlee has been exceptional to work with,”  Washo said. “She’s smart, collaborative and has a real knack for strategic action and getting things done. As a fellow Pitt alumnus, I know the unique passion and commitment she brings to serving this institution, her alma mater, at the highest level.”

Eberle-Sudré said she’s grateful for Gabel’s confidence in her, “and I appreciate the warm welcome that I’ve received across campus.”

Before returning to Pitt, Eberle-Sudré was the program director of education at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, where she led a revitalization of the academy’s education portfolio. Previously, at the Association of American Universities, Eberle-Sudré directed a broad portfolio that included membership policy and processes, policy research and other initiatives across the nation’s leading research universities.

Her career in higher education spans the federal, state and institutional levels, including roles with EdTrust, the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the U.S. Department of Education, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Kansas.

In addition to her PhD, Eberle-Sudré holds a bachelor’s degree in English and women’s studies from Wittenberg University and a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Kansas.

The chancellor also thanked Washo “for his remarkable service to me and to the chancellor’s office, along with his work to ensure a smooth leadership transition. In a short period of time, Kevin has stood up a strong external relations organization, and I look forward to continuing to partner with him to advance Pitt’s reach, reputation, and key initiatives of the Plan for Pitt 2028.”