Dartmouth College

Lesa Knapp

Lesa Knapp brings over three decades of institutional knowledge and operational leadership to Dartmouth College’s most vital departments. As Assistant Vice President for Advancement Administration, she oversees the business operations for a team of nearly 250 staff, leading efforts in HR, financial planning, recruitment, facilities and organizational design. Knapp’s service-oriented mindset and sharp eye for strategy have positioned her as a transformative leader in higher education administration.

Lesa Knapp stepped into her leadership role at a time when the Advancement division at Dartmouth College was growing rapidly and the stakes were high—talent shortages, tighter budgets, shifting workforce expectations and an increased focus on diversity and inclusion. Rather than get overwhelmed, she leaned in.

Transforming Talent Systems for a Modern Workforce

One of Knapp’s earliest and most pressing challenges was modernizing Dartmouth’s outdated recruitment and retention systems. In the digital era, where work expectations are constantly evolving, she led efforts to redefine how the institution attracts and supports top talent.

Knapp implemented more inclusive hiring practices, streamlined onboarding and designed career frameworks that help retain high performers from all backgrounds. Beyond recruitment, she brought structure to workforce planning and embedded transparency into performance management, compensation and employee development. Her people-first, service-minded approach has helped shift HR from a behind- the-scenes function into a strategic force—positioned to drive long-term success across Advancement. Her goal was to build teams that believe in Dartmouth’s mission and thrive long- term in a collaborative and dynamic workplace.

Streamlining Finances and Infrastructure with Strategy

Knapp took on yet another transformative challenge— bringing greater clarity and control to Advancement’s financial and facilities planning. She overhauled budgeting processes to be more streamlined and transparent, significantly improved forecasting accuracy and empowered department heads to better align their resources with long- term strategic goals.

Whether managing a multimillion-dollar operating budget or advising on key facility improvements, Knapp remains focused on one guiding principle: investing wisely to support both people and purpose.

From orchestrating complex construction timelines to leading thoughtful office redesigns, she ensures operations run smoothly while championing environments that truly serve the people who use them. Her ability to balance competing priorities, drive consensus and keep teams moving forward has delivered tangible, lasting improvements across the entire division.

Aligning Strategy, Culture and Impact

As a core partner to the Chief Advancement Officer, Knapp plays a pivotal role in connecting daily operations to Dartmouth’s overarching goals. Her leadership strengthens collaboration across departments, eliminates process inefficiencies and builds a workplace culture that values adaptability and transparency. With strategic foresight, Knapp is building the backbone of a high-performing, future-ready Advancement division.