Zerkle, a Dublin resident, joined LLNL in August 2022 as a key member of the Lab’s senior management staff, providing executive-level guidance and direction. She leads many of the Lab’s institutional initiatives, including business, operational and infrastructure improvements to support program deliverables, as well as the recruitment and retention of a quality operational workforce. She works closely with the LLNS Board of Governors, the Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration, and collaborations with other national laboratories, industry and community partners.  

“I’m excited for the opportunity to join the Livermore Lab Foundation board,” said Carolyn Zerkle. “I look forward to collaborating closely with the Foundation to support the Lab’s research, STEM education initiatives and workforce.”

Prior to joining LLNL, Zerkle served in several senior leadership roles at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in New Mexico – including overseeing the execution and integration of a $8-billion nuclear construction and equipment installation portfolio, in support of LANL’s pit manufacturing mission. She facilitated the Lab’s COVID-19 Task Force, serving as one of LANL’s emergency directors. Other high-profile assignments at LANL include serving as the associate director for Business Innovation, deputy associate director of Nuclear and High Hazard Operations and deputy associate director of Administration.

Zerkle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture and civil engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and graduate degrees from the University of Illinois – Urbana/Champaign in architecture and business, with a focus on nuclear construction project management.

“We are delighted and honored to have Carolyn as a member of our board,” said Dona Crawford, Foundation board chair.  “In addition to her significant career accomplishments and her strong commitment to operational excellence, she’s personally dedicated to the Foundation’s fundamental mission of creating public-private partnerships and philanthropic opportunities that showcase how science can best serve society. Her expertise will be invaluable.” 

In 2023, the Foundation’s top research initiatives include a focus on neurodegenerative diseases utilizing LLNL multi-modal computational capabilities to assist in the identification of biomarkers, and on advancing California’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 via the Lab’s climate impacts and resilience initiatives. The Foundation is also exploring opportunities for philanthropic investment in fusion energy programs and currently provides fellowship opportunities at LLNL to undergraduate and graduate students to strengthen the STEM pipeline.