Berkeley Lab Executive and Leadership Team

Kaylene Shadazz, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Berkeley Lab, directs the overarching scientific vision and strategic research initiatives. By aligning laboratory resources with national energy goals, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer ensures the institution remains at the forefront of material science and health research. This leadership role involves constant engagement with federal stakeholders and academic partners to secure funding for complex, large-scale experiments. Kaylene Shadazz maintains rigorous standards for research integrity while fostering a culture of innovation across all departments. Through the management of high-level scientific programs, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer drives the laboratory toward breakthroughs in sustainable energy. By prioritizing long-term research objectives, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer secures the future impact of the organization on global scientific progress and technological advancement.

Nicholas Skowronski, the Principal Financial Analyst & Chief Financial Officer, Office of at Berkeley Lab, manages the fiscal health and budgetary planning for the institution. By overseeing complex financial modeling and grant allocation, the Principal Financial Analyst & Chief Financial Officer, Office of ensures that research programs receive consistent funding. This role involves rigorous analysis of expenditure patterns to maintain transparency and fiscal responsibility across all scientific divisions. Nicholas Skowronski coordinates with the executive leadership to align financial strategies with the long-term goals of the laboratory. The Principal Financial Analyst & Chief Financial Officer, Office of monitors economic trends to mitigate risks associated with large-scale research investments. Through the precise management of capital and operational budgets, the Principal Financial Analyst & Chief Financial Officer, Office of supports the laboratory's ability to pursue groundbreaking discoveries in energy and material science.

Charles Axthelm, the Manager, Business Systems Analysis & Chief Financial Officer, Office of at Berkeley Lab, oversees the digital transformation of financial reporting and business intelligence systems. By architecting scalable data infrastructure, the Manager, Business Systems Analysis & Chief Financial Officer, Office of ensures that financial data remains accurate and accessible for strategic decision-making. This role involves integrating advanced analytics tools to track the performance of various research departments. Charles Axthelm works to automate financial workflows, reducing manual errors and increasing the speed of budgetary reporting. The Manager, Business Systems Analysis & Chief Financial Officer, Office of collaborates with IT and finance teams to secure sensitive data while providing actionable insights to the executive leadership. Through the implementation of robust business systems, the Manager, Business Systems Analysis & Chief Financial Officer, Office of supports the laboratory's commitment to fiscal transparency and operational efficiency in all scientific endeavors.

Diane Pierotti, the Chief Operating Officer at Berkeley Lab, manages the daily operational infrastructure required to support world-class scientific research. Overseeing facility maintenance and laboratory safety protocols, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that all research environments meet stringent regulatory standards. This role involves coordinating cross-departmental workflows to optimize resource allocation for complex scientific projects. Diane Pierotti implements efficient business processes that allow researchers to focus on discovery rather than administrative hurdles. By streamlining operational logistics, the Chief Operating Officer supports the laboratory's mission to address critical health and energy challenges. The Chief Operating Officer maintains close collaboration with the executive team to align operational capacity with strategic growth targets. Through the management of physical and digital assets, the Chief Operating Officer provides the foundation for successful scientific outcomes across the entire organization.

Rebecca Rishell, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer at Berkeley Lab, focuses on internal scaling and the optimization of administrative support systems. By refining the operational frameworks that govern laboratory personnel and resource distribution, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer enhances organizational agility. This leadership role involves managing the integration of new research technologies into existing business systems to improve overall productivity. Rebecca Rishell works closely with department heads to identify bottlenecks in project execution and implements solutions to accelerate research timelines. The Deputy Chief Operating Officer ensures that internal policies remain compliant with federal regulations while supporting the diverse needs of the scientific staff. Through the continuous improvement of operational workflows, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer drives efficiency across the laboratory. By maintaining high standards for internal service delivery, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer supports the broader mission of scientific excellence.

Rhiannon Bailard, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer at Berkeley Lab, directs supply chain logistics and the procurement of specialized scientific equipment. By managing vendor relationships and ensuring the timely delivery of critical materials, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer enables uninterrupted research progress. This role involves overseeing the complex logistics required to support large-scale experiments and facility upgrades. Rhiannon Bailard implements strategic sourcing initiatives to reduce costs while maintaining the high quality of materials necessary for scientific precision. The Deputy Chief Operating Officer collaborates with project leads to anticipate equipment needs and mitigate potential supply chain disruptions. Through the optimization of procurement processes, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer ensures that the laboratory maintains a competitive edge in material science and energy research. By focusing on logistical excellence, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer provides the essential resources required for the laboratory to achieve its ambitious scientific objectives.

Doug Owen, the President at Berkeley Lab, leads the strategic expansion of the laboratory's influence within the North American research landscape. By fostering partnerships with government agencies and private sector entities, the President drives the development of new collaborative research programs. This role involves representing the laboratory at high-level policy forums to advocate for increased investment in sustainable energy and health sciences. Doug Owen works to align the laboratory's research output with national priorities, ensuring that scientific breakthroughs translate into tangible societal benefits. The President oversees the long-term strategic planning process, identifying emerging opportunities for growth and innovation. Through the cultivation of external relationships, the President secures the resources and support necessary for the laboratory to maintain its leadership position. By focusing on broad market reach and strategic alliances, the President ensures the laboratory remains a vital contributor to global scientific progress.

Gertude Brungardt, the President at Berkeley Lab, oversees the international outreach and global research collaborations that define the laboratory's reach. By managing partnerships with overseas institutions, the President facilitates the exchange of scientific knowledge and the development of cross-border research initiatives. This role involves navigating complex international regulatory environments to ensure the seamless flow of data and personnel for collaborative projects. Gertude Brungardt works to position the laboratory as a central hub for global scientific innovation, particularly in the fields of material science and universe exploration. The President coordinates with international stakeholders to align research objectives and share the costs of large-scale scientific infrastructure. Through the expansion of the laboratory's global footprint, the President enhances the impact of scientific discoveries on a worldwide scale. By prioritizing international cooperation, the President ensures that the laboratory remains at the center of the global scientific community.

Jo Widmayer, the Administrator To the Chief Information Officer at Berkeley Lab, coordinates the administrative functions and communication strategies for the information technology division. By managing the schedule and priorities of the Chief Information Officer, the Administrator To the Chief Information Officer ensures that IT initiatives align with the laboratory's broader research goals. This role involves facilitating collaboration between technical teams and executive leadership to support the deployment of high-performance computing resources. Jo Widmayer oversees the documentation of IT policies and ensures that all administrative processes support the security and integrity of research data. The Administrator To the Chief Information Officer maintains clear communication channels across the organization to keep stakeholders informed about technological advancements. Through the effective management of administrative operations, the Administrator To the Chief Information Officer enables the IT division to provide the robust digital infrastructure necessary for modern scientific discovery.