Written by Colin McEvoy | August 12, 2025 | SHARE
Jessica Kingston, a seasoned leader with experience in government, nonprofits, and the private sector, will guide operations as the new Administrative Director of Lehigh University’s Office of International Affairs.
A strategic leader with a career spanning the U.S. Senate, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector will step into the role of Administrative Director at Lehigh University’s Office of International Affairs (OIA).
Jessica Kingston, who most recently worked as Chief Operating Officer at Cadre General Contractors in Englewood, Colo., will begin in the role on Aug. 11. In this capacity, she will manage the OIA budget process, oversee department finances, manage administrative policies, and supervise department staff.
“I’m thrilled to join the Office of International Affairs and work alongside such a talented team to support its continued success,” Kingston said.
Kingston brings a remarkably diverse professional background, with leadership experience in government, consulting, hospitality, construction, and nonprofit sectors, said Cheryl Matherly, Vice President and Vice Provost for International Affairs at Lehigh.
“Jessica’s wide-ranging leadership experience positions her perfectly to guide our operations as we advance Global Lehigh’s mission,” Matherly said. “Her strategic mindset and operational skillset will be tremendous assets for our team.”
She began her career in Washington, D.C., as a research analyst with the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee. In that role, she conducted in-depth policy analysis, reviewed legislation affecting defense operations, and contributed to key legislative initiatives and crisis response efforts.
She went on to serve as a senior intelligence analyst for SRA International, supporting the Office of Military Commissions, before moving into the private sector. Over the next decade, she held executive roles at a variety of organizations, including Chief Operating Officer at Travel Recon, a travel risk management startup, and Director of Operations at SkyRun Breckenridge, a vacation rental management company overseeing more than 100 properties.
Most recently, she spent two years as COO at Cadre General Contractors, where she helped guide the company through a major period of transformation. In that role, she implemented a long-term strategic plan that aligned day-to-day operations with broader business goals, streamlined internal processes, and positioned the company for sustainable growth.
In each role, she applied her strengths in operational leadership, cross-functional team management, and process development across diverse and fast-paced sectors. She also demonstrated a strong ability to build effective systems, lead teams through change, and align operations with strategic goals.
“What stands out about Jessica is her ability to lead across vastly different industries with a clear focus on strategy and execution,” Matherly said. “That kind of versatility and insight will serve OIA well as we continue to evolve and grow.”