Brian Smith is an accomplished leader in collegiate recreation, currently serving as the Senior Director of Campus Recreation at the Georgia Institute of Technology. In this capacity, he sets the strategic direction for a department focused on holistic health and wellness, leveraging recreation to enhance student well-being and academic success. Brian manages a $12+ million annual budget and oversees a massive infrastructure including a 300,000+ sq. ft. facility, an Olympic swimming pool, and multiple acres of athletic fields and courts.

With an MBA in Finance from Pepperdine University, Brian brings a sharp business-oriented approach to student engagement. His tenure at Georgia Tech has been marked by significant growth, including a $5 million budget increase through strategic revenue generation and the successful delivery of $6 million in capital projects, such as a new Esports lounge and Athletic Training Center.

Beyond his campus role, Brian is a prominent voice in the national recreation landscape. He currently serves as a Director on the NIRSA Foundation Board and has previously held leadership roles on the NIRSA Board of Directors and the Finance Committee. Prior to joining Georgia Tech, he spent over a decade at UCLA, where he secured nearly $1 million in grant funding and managed facilities, diverse competitive sports, and experiential programs. Brian also holds a B.S. in Leisure Sport Management from Elon University.

Donald brings extensive experience in campus recreation, with a professional background that includes facility and project management, strategic planning, capital project execution, and long-term financial planning across facilities, events, aquatics, and membership services. He has successfully managed budgets, developed operational policies, and aligned departmental goals with institutional priorities—core competencies that directly inform the business planning simulation proposed for this session. 

Donald has presented educational content in both academic and professional settings. He has facilitated leadership development series for students and served as an adjunct instructor at Loyola Marymount University’s Seaver College of Science and Engineering and Chapman University’s Attallah College of Education, where he taught courses in leadership and personal health. His involvement with NIRSA includes service on multiple committees and work teams, most recently as a member of the NIRSA Assembly and the 2026 Region II Program Committee. These roles reflect his commitment to professional development and advancing the field of campus recreation.

Nick D’Amato currently serves as the Director of Recreation and Club Sports at the University of Hartford. He received his Masters in Recreation & Sport Administration from Western Kentucky University where he served  as the Graduate Assistant for Intramural Sports, and his Bachelors in Sport Management from UMass Amherst. Prior to Hartford, he was the Senior Assistant Director for Sport Programs at UMass Amherst, Assistant Program Director for Intramurals at UConn and Coordinator for Intramural and Club Sports at Keene State College.

He has also served NIRSA in numerous capacities including at extramural tournaments, presenting at regional and national conferences and on the NIRSA Championship Series Social Justice Taskforce, for which he received the NIRSA Annual Service Award. Outside of work, he is an IAABO High School Basketball Official and enjoys golfing.

Nick D’Amato currently serves as the Director of Recreation and Club Sports at the University of Hartford. He received his Masters in Recreation & Sport Administration from Western Kentucky University where he served  as the Graduate Assistant for Intramural Sports, and his Bachelors in Sport Management from UMass Amherst. Prior to Hartford, he was the Senior Assistant Director for Sport Programs at UMass Amherst, Assistant Program Director for Intramurals at UConn and Coordinator for Intramural and Club Sports at Keene State College.

He has also served NIRSA in numerous capacities including at extramural tournaments, presenting at regional and national conferences and on the NIRSA Championship Series Social Justice Taskforce, for which he received the NIRSA Annual Service Award. Outside of work, he is an IAABO High School Basketball Official and enjoys golfing.

Stephanne Musser currently serves as an Assistant Director of Programs at Ohio State University. She has worked in collegiate recreation for 25 years, starting as a student employee swiping cards at the front desk. She is entering her 14th year at OSU and oversees Fitness Programs and Services and Esports as well. Stephanne is a long time NIRSA member and has been involved at the state, regional and NIRSA level for numerous years. She has served the NIRSA in many capacities including continued work with supporting education and growth for middle managers. She has led presentations, roundtables, webinars and continues to be an advocate for building strong middle managers within our association. Stephanne also leads a middle management co-hort within her department. Stephanne is an avid weightlifter, walker, and reader! She lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband Scott and son Harrison!  

Lashica Thomas served as the NIRSA Board President for the 2025-2026 NIRSA leadership year and is currently the Director of Campus Recreation at Columbus State University in Georgia, part of NIRSA Region II. She first joined NIRSA in 2003 and throughout her career she's been involved with the Association through many different volunteer roles during her two decades of membership with this historic association!

She was recognized in 2019 for her role in building a diverse and inclusive culture in our Association by fostering equality of opportunity, encouraging diverse perspectives, and creating a welcoming and supportive climate when she received the Juliette Moore People of Color Distinguished Leadership Award.