STEPHANIE MONROE TILLERSON, AICP
Stephanie Tillerson has served as Town Administrator of Kiawah Island since October 2015. She brings experience from state, county, and local government to oversee the Town's day-to-day operations and reports directly to the Mayor and Town Council.
Before joining the Town, Stephanie held leadership positions as City Manager of Woodruff, Planning Director for the City of Spartanburg, Director of the Upstate Forever Spartanburg Office, Planning Director for Laurens County and the City of Clinton, and Town Planner for the Town of Hilton Head Island.
She holds a bachelor's degree in public affairs management and a master's in urban and regional planning from Michigan State University, as well as a master's in public administration from the University of South Carolina. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Tourism Management at Clemson University, with anticipated completion in Spring 2027. She is a graduate of Leadership Charleston (2017) and serves on the boards of the Barrier Island Free Medical Clinic and the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Foundation.
Role of the Town Administrator
The Town of Kiawah Island operates under the Mayor-Council form of government, in which the Mayor serves as chief administrative officer. The Town Administrator assists the Mayor in carrying out these administrative responsibilities and leads the Town's administrative department, coordinating the work of department heads and staff to ensure the efficient delivery of services to the Kiawah Island community. In this role, the Administrator:
- Works with elected officials to develop policies, identify community needs, and recommend solutions
- Ensures that laws and policies adopted by Council are applied consistently throughout the Town
- Develops and recommends new programs for Council consideration
- Assists the Mayor and Treasurer in preparing and implementing the annual budget
- Supervises department heads and Town staff
- Maintains the quality and responsiveness of services provided to residents
