LSU President Wade Rousse named Brandi Bush Roberts, an accountant with over two decades of leadership experience in higher education finance, the new CFO of the LSU system Friday.

In the position, Roberts will oversee financial operations across all LSU campuses, direct operating and capital budget development and support system-level reporting required by state and federal agencies.

The previous CFO, Kimberly Lewis, left the position in February amid departures from several top administrators including former LSU President William F. Tate IV. Her letter of resignation implied she was asked to step down, the Louisiana Illuminator reports. Lewis now serves as the executive vice president and chief administrative officer at Rutgers, where Tate serves as university president.

Previously, Roberts served as associate vice president and chief of staff for finance and administration at the university. As chief of staff, she supported financial planning and resource alignment and helped secure a $1.5 million reduction in university-wide property insurance premiums.

Earlier in her career, Roberts led financial operations for LSU Auxiliary Services for over a decade.  She also worked in public accounting at KPMG and has taught accounting at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond. She earned her doctorate in higher education administration from LSU and is a certified public account.

“Our responsibility is to steward public resources with integrity, transparency, and strategic intent,” Roberts said. “I look forward to partnering with our campuses and divisions to strengthen operational excellence, support student success, and position LSU for continued growth and impact.”