UC Berkeley Executive and Leadership Team

Michael Manga, the Chief Executive Officer at UC Berkeley, directs the overarching strategic vision for this premier academic institution. Overseeing the integration of research initiatives across diverse departments like molecular biology and engineering, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with long-term institutional goals. This leadership role involves managing complex stakeholder relationships and driving the university's reputation for excellence in North American higher education. By prioritizing interdisciplinary collaboration, Michael Manga directly impacts the quality of academic output and student success. Ultimately, Manga secures the necessary resources to maintain the university's status as a global leader in scientific and humanities research, ensuring that the institution remains at the forefront of innovation and discovery while navigating the evolving landscape of modern education.

Liz Heisser, the Chief Financial Officer, Athletics at UC Berkeley, manages the financial health and fiscal planning for the university's athletic department. Overseeing budget development, revenue generation, and expenditure tracking, the Chief Financial Officer, Athletics ensures that the department operates within its financial constraints while supporting student-athlete programs. This role involves analyzing financial performance to optimize resource distribution across various sports and facilities. By implementing rigorous fiscal controls, Liz Heisser directly impacts the sustainability of the athletic program. Ultimately, Heisser secures the financial foundation necessary for the department to thrive, ensuring that athletic initiatives align with the university's broader commitment to excellence and student development within the competitive landscape of collegiate sports.

Ernest Costello, the Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer at UC Berkeley, directs the financial strategy and operational execution for specific institutional units. Overseeing the balance between fiscal responsibility and operational efficiency, the Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer ensures that resources are deployed to maximize impact in research and education. This role involves managing complex budgets and overseeing the day-to-day administrative functions that support academic programs. By integrating financial planning with operational oversight, Ernest Costello directly impacts the long-term viability of the university's initiatives. Ultimately, Costello drives organizational performance, ensuring that the institution maintains a strong financial position while delivering high-quality services to the campus community and supporting the university's overarching mission of academic excellence.

Moon Jang-Shinn, the Chief Operating Officer at UC Berkeley, manages the daily operational functions that sustain the university's expansive campus environment. Overseeing facilities management and administrative services, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the physical and logistical needs of the academic community are met with precision. This role involves optimizing resource allocation to support diverse departments, from education to natural resources. By streamlining operational workflows, Moon Jang-Shinn directly impacts the university's ability to provide a seamless experience for students and faculty. Ultimately, Jang-Shinn maintains the operational integrity of the institution, ensuring that all internal processes support the broader mission of academic excellence and research productivity within a complex, large-scale university setting.

Marlon Sellow, the Chief Operating Officer, Program (Berkeley) at UC Berkeley, manages the operational execution of specific academic and research programs. Overseeing the logistical implementation of program curricula and project timelines, the Chief Operating Officer, Program (Berkeley) ensures that academic initiatives are delivered effectively and meet institutional standards. This role involves coordinating with department heads to align program goals with available resources. By optimizing the delivery of educational services, Marlon Sellow directly impacts the student experience and program success rates. Ultimately, Sellow ensures the smooth operation of key academic programs, allowing faculty and students to focus on their core objectives of learning and discovery within the university's vibrant and intellectually demanding environment.

Elizabeth Saunders, the Chief of Staff at UC Berkeley, coordinates executive operations and facilitates communication across the university's leadership hierarchy. Managing the flow of critical information to the executive office, the Chief of Staff ensures that strategic priorities receive immediate attention and resources. This role involves streamlining administrative processes to support the university's mission of providing world-class education in fields ranging from natural resources to business. By fostering cross-departmental synergy, Elizabeth Saunders directly impacts the efficiency of institutional decision-making. Ultimately, Saunders maintains organizational stability, allowing the university to focus on its core objective of delivering high-impact research and academic programs that serve the broader community and address complex global challenges through rigorous intellectual inquiry.

Neelesh Dodda, the Chief Technology Officer at UC Berkeley, architects the digital infrastructure required to support advanced research and academic instruction. Overseeing the deployment of scalable computing resources, the Chief Technology Officer ensures that faculty and students possess the tools necessary for data-intensive projects in chemistry and molecular biology. This leadership role involves modernizing legacy systems to enhance operational agility across the campus. By implementing robust cybersecurity protocols and cloud-based solutions, Neelesh Dodda directly impacts the university's ability to conduct secure, high-level research. Ultimately, Dodda drives the technological evolution of the institution, ensuring that digital capabilities remain aligned with the ambitious goals of a top-tier research university operating within a competitive global academic environment.

Jason Hobar, the Chief Marketing Officer at UC Berkeley, manages the institutional brand and communicates the university's value proposition to global audiences. Overseeing recruitment campaigns and public relations, the Chief Marketing Officer ensures that the university attracts top-tier talent and maintains strong connections with alumni and donors. This role involves developing strategic messaging that highlights achievements in education and research across all departments. By leveraging digital platforms to amplify the university's impact, Jason Hobar directly influences enrollment trends and philanthropic support. Ultimately, Hobar strengthens the institution's market position, ensuring that the brand remains synonymous with academic prestige and innovation while effectively navigating the complexities of the higher education landscape in a digital-first world.

Dana Jantz, the Chief of Staff. Faculty at UC Berkeley, serves as the primary liaison between the executive leadership and the academic faculty body. Overseeing faculty governance processes and administrative support for academic departments, the Chief of Staff. Faculty ensures that the needs of researchers and educators are integrated into the university's strategic planning. This role involves facilitating communication regarding tenure, research funding, and academic policy. By fostering a collaborative environment between administration and faculty, Dana Jantz directly impacts the university's ability to retain world-class scholars. Ultimately, Jantz supports the academic mission by ensuring that faculty members have the necessary administrative infrastructure to excel in their teaching and research endeavors, thereby upholding the institution's reputation for scholarly rigor.

David Willson, the Manager, Strategic Technology Acquisition, Office of the Chief Information Officer at UC Berkeley, directs the procurement and integration of advanced technological assets. Overseeing vendor relationships and software licensing, the Manager, Strategic Technology Acquisition, Office of the Chief Information Officer ensures that the university acquires cost-effective and high-performance tools for research and administration. This role involves evaluating emerging technologies to determine their potential impact on academic workflows. By negotiating complex contracts, David Willson directly impacts the university's budget efficiency and technological readiness. Ultimately, Willson secures the essential digital resources required to maintain the institution's competitive edge, ensuring that faculty and staff have access to the latest innovations in computing and data management.