Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - National Institutes of Health Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

CDC has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, public health operations, information technology, and organizational management.

Committed to safeguarding national wellness, [[CDC]] advances critical disease prevention programs and health promotion initiatives to ensure long-term public health security across the United States.

Leadership Roles at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - National Institutes of Health

  • Chief Executive Officer - Corey DeLong
  • Office of the Director and Chief Operating Officer - Gail Unger
  • Office of the Director and Chief Operating Officer - Margie Fields
  • Chief Technology Officer - Stephen (Steve) Warren
  • Chief Information Officer & Liaison - Maureen Ty
  • IT Specialist & Chief Information Officer, Office of The (Ocio) - Neeraja Lakshmipathy
  • Deputy Director - Jenna Meyer
  • Deputy Director - Donald Betts
  • Director - Erica Schwartz
  • Deputy Director - Mae Lee
  • Corey DeLong - Chief Executive Officer

    Corey DeLong, the Chief Executive Officer at CDC, directs the overarching strategic vision for national public health initiatives. By aligning organizational goals with federal health mandates, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that disease control programs maintain maximum efficacy across all regions. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to secure funding and resources for critical prevention efforts. Corey DeLong monitors the implementation of large-scale health promotion campaigns, ensuring that data-driven insights guide every policy decision. Through rigorous oversight of internal processes, the Chief Executive Officer optimizes the impact of public health interventions. By fostering partnerships with state and local agencies, the Chief Executive Officer strengthens the national response to emerging health threats. Ultimately, DeLong drives the mission of protecting the population from preventable diseases through proactive management and decisive action.

    Gail Unger - Office of the Director and Chief Operating Officer

    Gail Unger, the Office of the Director and Chief Operating Officer at CDC, manages the internal administrative functions that support the agency's core mission. By optimizing operational workflows, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that resources reach the front lines of public health programs without delay. This role involves overseeing budget management, human resources, and facility operations to maintain organizational efficiency. Gail Unger coordinates with the Director to translate strategic goals into actionable operational plans. Through the supervision of administrative departments, the Chief Operating Officer eliminates bottlenecks that hinder program delivery. By implementing performance metrics, the Chief Operating Officer tracks the effectiveness of internal processes and drives continuous improvement. Ultimately, Unger secures the operational foundation of the agency, allowing scientific and medical teams to focus entirely on disease control and prevention.

    Margie Fields - Office of the Director and Chief Operating Officer

    Margie Fields, the Office of the Director and Chief Operating Officer at CDC, oversees the strategic allocation of personnel and physical assets to support public health initiatives. By managing the logistics of large-scale health programs, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that field teams possess the necessary equipment to execute disease prevention strategies. This role involves coordinating with the Director to align operational capacity with emerging public health priorities. Margie Fields supervises the implementation of organizational policies that govern daily activities across all divisions. Through the management of internal reporting structures, the Chief Operating Officer provides the leadership team with clear visibility into operational performance. By streamlining procurement and supply chain processes, the Chief Operating Officer reduces waste and increases the speed of program deployment. Ultimately, Fields secures the agency's operational readiness by maintaining a highly efficient and well-resourced organizational structure.

    Stephen (Steve) Warren - Chief Technology Officer

    Stephen (Steve) Warren, the Chief Technology Officer at CDC, architects the digital infrastructure required to support large-scale public health data collection. By overseeing the modernization of IT systems, the Chief Technology Officer ensures that researchers have access to real-time epidemiological data. This role involves managing the security of sensitive health information while facilitating seamless data sharing across federal networks. Stephen (Steve) Warren drives the adoption of advanced analytics and machine learning tools to predict disease outbreaks before they escalate. Through the supervision of technical teams, the Chief Technology Officer maintains the reliability of critical digital platforms. By aligning technology investments with the agency's mission, the Chief Technology Officer supports the development of innovative health monitoring solutions. Ultimately, Warren secures the agency's technological edge by implementing scalable, secure, and efficient digital systems.

    Maureen Ty - Chief Information Officer & Liaison

    Maureen Ty, the Chief Information Officer & Liaison at CDC, manages the flow of critical health information between the agency and external public health partners. By serving as the primary bridge for data exchange, the Chief Information Officer & Liaison ensures that state and local health departments receive accurate, timely guidance. This role involves overseeing the integration of external data streams into the agency's central information systems. Maureen Ty directs the development of communication platforms that facilitate collaboration among global health organizations. Through the management of information governance policies, the Chief Information Officer & Liaison maintains the integrity and accessibility of public health records. By fostering strong relationships with external stakeholders, the Chief Information Officer & Liaison enhances the collective response to health challenges. Ultimately, Ty secures the agency's position as a central hub for reliable public health intelligence.
    Maureen Ty

    Neeraja Lakshmipathy - IT Specialist & Chief Information Officer, Office of The (Ocio)

    Neeraja Lakshmipathy, the IT Specialist & Chief Information Officer, Office of The (Ocio) at CDC, focuses on the technical maintenance and security of the Office of the Director's information systems. By managing the specialized IT needs of executive leadership, the Chief Information Officer ensures that decision-makers have constant access to secure communication channels. This role involves implementing advanced cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive policy documents and strategic data. Neeraja Lakshmipathy oversees the deployment of custom software solutions that streamline administrative tasks within the Office of the Director. Through the supervision of technical support staff, the Chief Information Officer maintains the uptime of critical executive infrastructure. By auditing system performance, the Chief Information Officer identifies vulnerabilities and architects robust defensive upgrades. Ultimately, Lakshmipathy secures the digital environment of the agency's leadership, ensuring uninterrupted strategic operations.

    Jenna Meyer - Deputy Director

    Jenna Meyer, the Deputy Director at CDC, oversees the execution of specialized disease prevention programs across North American territories. By managing the daily operations of public health divisions, the Deputy Director ensures that clinical guidelines reach healthcare providers efficiently. This role requires constant coordination with regional health departments to standardize response protocols during outbreaks. Jenna Meyer evaluates the performance of prevention initiatives, adjusting resource allocation to meet shifting epidemiological demands. Through the supervision of field teams, the Deputy Director maintains high standards of data collection and analysis. By streamlining communication between research units and policy makers, the Deputy Director facilitates rapid deployment of health resources. Ultimately, Meyer secures the operational integrity of the agency by maintaining focus on evidence-based outcomes and rigorous scientific standards in every public health initiative.

    Donald Betts - Deputy Director

    Donald Betts, the Deputy Director at CDC, manages the strategic expansion of health promotion initiatives within diverse demographic sectors. By analyzing public health trends, the Deputy Director identifies gaps in service delivery and architects solutions to improve community access to preventative care. This leadership position involves coordinating with external stakeholders to align federal health goals with local community needs. Donald Betts supervises the integration of new research findings into existing public health frameworks, ensuring that programs remain current and effective. Through the oversight of cross-functional teams, the Deputy Director drives innovation in health education and outreach strategies. By monitoring the impact of these programs on national health metrics, the Deputy Director ensures accountability and transparency. Ultimately, Betts strengthens the agency's ability to address complex health challenges through targeted, data-backed interventions.

    Erica Schwartz - Director

    Erica Schwartz, the Director at CDC, provides executive leadership for the entire public health institute, setting the tone for national disease control efforts. By defining the agency's priorities, the Director ensures that all departments work in unison to mitigate health risks. This role involves representing the organization before federal committees and international health bodies to advocate for sustainable public health funding. Erica Schwartz oversees the development of long-term strategies that address both chronic and infectious disease threats. Through the management of high-level policy decisions, the Director shapes the future of public health infrastructure. By fostering a culture of scientific excellence, the Director empowers staff to pursue groundbreaking research and effective prevention programs. Ultimately, Schwartz secures the nation's health by maintaining a clear, mission-driven focus on prevention, protection, and proactive disease management.

    Mae Lee - Deputy Director

    Mae Lee, the Deputy Director at CDC, directs the implementation of emergency response protocols and public health preparedness programs. By coordinating with national security agencies, the Deputy Director ensures that the organization remains ready to address sudden health crises. This role involves managing the logistics of supply chains for essential medical resources and vaccines. Mae Lee evaluates the readiness of regional health systems, providing guidance to improve local response capabilities. Through the supervision of rapid-response teams, the Deputy Director maintains a constant state of vigilance against emerging pathogens. By analyzing threat data, the Deputy Director architects robust defense strategies that protect the population from widespread health disruptions. Ultimately, Lee secures the nation's resilience by ensuring that all public health systems function with precision and speed during critical events.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - National Institutes of Health Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - National Institutes of Health?
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - National Institutes of Health is led by Corey DeLong (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Gail Unger (Office of the Director and Chief Operating Officer) and Margie Fields (Office of the Director and Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - National Institutes of Health’s executive team?
    The executive team of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - National Institutes of Health includes leaders such as Corey DeLong (Chief Executive Officer), Gail Unger (Office of the Director and Chief Operating Officer), Margie Fields (Office of the Director and Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - National Institutes of Health have?
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - National Institutes of Health has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - National Institutes of Health’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - National Institutes of Health includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Office of the Director and Chief Operating Officer, Office of the Director and Chief Operating Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Information Officer & Liaison.