Kelly Des Roches

As chief of staff and special assistant to the senior vice president and CFO, Kelly Des Roches provides leadership within the Office of Business and Finance to support the university’s goals of operational excellence and resource stewardship.

Kelly’s role is diverse: She represents SVP and CFO Michael Papadakis in a variety of matters across the university, advancing strategic projects and managing the administrative functions of the Office of Business and Finance. Among her duties, she reviews and approves university contracts, provides counsel and advice on university-wide and department-level policies and procedures, and engages with university and external leaders on behalf of the Office of Business and Finance.

Kelly joined Ohio State in 2008 and held leadership roles in the Office of Financial Services and Technology Commercialization and Knowledge Transfer office before moving to the central Office of Business and Finance. Prior to her work at the university, she served in various budget and policy roles for the State of Ohio and as a private consultant. She spent more than 13 years in state government, serving the Ohio Attorney General, the Office of Budget and Management, and the Ohio School Facilities Commission.  

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Miami University and a master’s degree in public administration, with a specialization in public finance, from The Ohio State University.