UC Berkeley Executive and Leadership Team

Kelly Sparks, the Vice Chancellor, Finance & Chief Financial Officer at UC Berkeley, manages the university's multi-billion dollar budget and long-term financial planning. Sparks oversees fiscal operations, including endowment management, grant administration, and capital investment strategies. The Vice Chancellor, Finance & Chief Financial Officer ensures that financial resources are allocated to support high-impact research in engineering and the sciences. Kelly Sparks collaborates with the Board to maintain fiscal transparency and long-term sustainability. By implementing rigorous financial controls, the Vice Chancellor, Finance & Chief Financial Officer mitigates risk and optimizes the use of public and private funding. This role involves strategic oversight of the university's financial health, ensuring that academic programs remain well-funded. Sparks drives financial efficiency by streamlining procurement and accounting processes across all departments. Ultimately, the Vice Chancellor, Finance & Chief Financial Officer secures the economic foundation that allows the university to continue its tradition of academic and research leadership.

David Castellanos, the Chief Financial Officer & Office of The For Research Vice Chancellor at UC Berkeley, directs the financial strategy specifically tailored to the university's extensive research portfolio. Castellanos manages the complex funding streams associated with federal grants, private research contracts, and laboratory operations. The Chief Financial Officer & Office of The For Research Vice Chancellor ensures that research expenditures align with institutional goals and compliance requirements. David Castellanos oversees the financial reporting for major scientific projects, providing the necessary data to support continued investment in molecular biology and chemistry. This role requires close collaboration with principal investigators to manage project budgets effectively. By optimizing the financial infrastructure for research, the Chief Financial Officer & Office of The For Research Vice Chancellor enables the university to pursue ambitious scientific inquiries. Castellanos drives fiscal accountability, ensuring that every dollar supports the advancement of knowledge. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer & Office of The For Research Vice Chancellor secures the financial viability of the university's research enterprise.

Moon Jang-Shinn, the Chief Operating Officer at UC Berkeley, directs the daily operational infrastructure supporting thousands of students and faculty members. Jang-Shinn oversees campus facilities, auxiliary services, and logistical frameworks that sustain the university's expansive research environment. By optimizing physical and digital resources, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that academic departments receive the necessary support to conduct groundbreaking work in natural resources and engineering. Moon Jang-Shinn manages large-scale capital projects, balancing budgetary constraints with the need for modern, sustainable campus infrastructure. This leadership position involves frequent interaction with the Board to align operational goals with long-term institutional growth. Through rigorous process improvement, Jang-Shinn enhances the efficiency of campus-wide services. The Chief Operating Officer maintains a focus on operational resilience, ensuring that the university remains a premier destination for scholars. Jang-Shinn drives excellence by integrating advanced management practices into the core functions of the institution.

Elizabeth Saunders, the Chief of Staff at UC Berkeley, coordinates high-level administrative workflows across the university. Saunders manages complex communication channels between the chancellor and various academic departments to ensure institutional alignment. By streamlining decision-making processes, the Chief of Staff facilitates efficient resource allocation for research initiatives. Elizabeth Saunders maintains oversight of critical policy implementation, ensuring that university operations adhere to established academic standards. This role requires constant collaboration with senior leadership to address emerging challenges in higher education. Through meticulous planning and cross-functional coordination, the Chief of Staff supports the broader mission of maintaining excellence in molecular biology and chemistry programs. Saunders drives organizational effectiveness by removing operational bottlenecks, allowing faculty and staff to focus on core educational objectives. Ultimately, the Chief of Staff secures the administrative stability necessary for the university to thrive in a competitive global landscape.

Neelesh Dodda, the Chief Technology Officer at UC Berkeley, architects the digital infrastructure required for world-class research and academic instruction. Dodda manages the deployment of scalable cloud solutions and high-performance computing clusters that support complex data analysis in molecular biology and chemistry. The Chief Technology Officer oversees cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive intellectual property and student data across the entire campus network. Neelesh Dodda collaborates with academic leaders to integrate emerging technologies into the classroom, fostering a modern learning environment. By modernizing legacy systems, the Chief Technology Officer improves accessibility and reliability for the entire university community. This role involves strategic planning for long-term digital transformation, ensuring that the institution remains at the forefront of technological innovation. Dodda drives efficiency by automating administrative tasks, allowing researchers to dedicate more time to scientific discovery. Ultimately, the Chief Technology Officer secures the digital foundation that enables the university to maintain its global research standing.

Jason Hobar, the Chief Marketing Officer at UC Berkeley, directs the institutional brand strategy to attract top-tier students and faculty from around the world. Hobar oversees comprehensive communication campaigns that highlight the university's achievements in letters, science, and business education. The Chief Marketing Officer manages digital engagement platforms, ensuring that the public perception of the institution remains aligned with its academic prestige. By analyzing market trends, Jason Hobar develops targeted outreach programs that expand the university's influence in both domestic and international markets. This leadership role requires close coordination with admissions and development offices to ensure consistent messaging across all channels. Through data-driven storytelling, the Chief Marketing Officer elevates the profile of various research departments. Hobar drives growth by fostering strong relationships with alumni and corporate partners. Ultimately, the Chief Marketing Officer secures the university's reputation as a leader in higher education through strategic brand management and proactive public relations.

Ellora Goel, the Internal Chief of Staff at UC Berkeley, manages the internal governance structures that support faculty and staff productivity. Goel oversees the implementation of internal policies, ensuring that all departments operate in compliance with university regulations. The Internal Chief of Staff facilitates communication between various administrative units to resolve operational conflicts and improve workflow efficiency. Ellora Goel monitors the progress of internal initiatives, providing regular updates to senior leadership regarding organizational health. By fostering a collaborative environment, the Internal Chief of Staff enables cross-departmental projects that span education and natural resources. This role involves managing internal resources to support the diverse needs of the campus community. Goel drives organizational alignment by ensuring that internal processes remain transparent and effective. Through careful oversight of internal operations, the Internal Chief of Staff secures the stability of the university's administrative functions, allowing the institution to focus on its core mission of academic excellence.

David Willson, the Manager, Strategic Technology Acquisition, Office of the Chief Information Officer at UC Berkeley, oversees the procurement of advanced technological tools for the campus. Willson manages vendor relationships and negotiates contracts for software and hardware that support academic and administrative functions. The Manager, Strategic Technology Acquisition, Office of the Chief Information Officer ensures that all technology acquisitions meet the university's security and performance standards. David Willson evaluates emerging technologies to determine their potential impact on research productivity in fields like engineering and natural resources. By centralizing the acquisition process, the Manager, Strategic Technology Acquisition, Office of the Chief Information Officer reduces costs and ensures compatibility across campus systems. This role involves strategic planning to align technology investments with the university's long-term digital roadmap. Willson drives efficiency by standardizing the technology stack, allowing for easier maintenance and support. Ultimately, the Manager, Strategic Technology Acquisition, Office of the Chief Information Officer secures the technological resources necessary for the university to maintain its competitive edge.

Dana Jantz, the Chief of Staff. Faculty at UC Berkeley, manages the administrative interface between the faculty senate and university leadership. Jantz oversees faculty governance processes, ensuring that academic policies reflect the needs and expertise of the teaching staff. The Chief of Staff. Faculty facilitates communication regarding tenure, research support, and curriculum development. Dana Jantz coordinates meetings and initiatives that involve faculty participation, ensuring that academic voices remain central to institutional decision-making. By streamlining administrative support for faculty, the Chief of Staff. Faculty enables professors to focus on their teaching and research responsibilities. This role requires a deep understanding of academic culture and university policy. Jantz drives faculty engagement by fostering transparent communication channels and supporting collaborative projects. Through careful management of faculty-related administrative tasks, the Chief of Staff. Faculty secures the academic integrity and operational success of the university's diverse departments, ensuring that the faculty remains empowered to lead in their respective fields.

Lucy Goetz, the External Chief of Staff at UC Berkeley, manages relationships with external stakeholders, including government agencies, corporate partners, and community leaders. Goetz oversees the university's public engagement strategy, ensuring that the institution maintains strong ties with the broader California community. The External Chief of Staff coordinates outreach efforts that promote the university's research and educational impact. Lucy Goetz facilitates partnerships that provide funding and internship opportunities for students in business and engineering. By managing external communications, the External Chief of Staff protects the university's reputation and fosters a supportive public environment. This role involves frequent interaction with policymakers to advocate for the interests of higher education. Goetz drives external support by highlighting the university's contributions to regional economic development. Through strategic management of external relations, the External Chief of Staff secures the partnerships necessary for the university to continue its mission of public service and academic excellence.