Dona Crawford
ChAIR
Dona L. Crawford served as the Associate Director of Computation at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) before retiring in 2016 to lead the establishment of the Livermore Lab Foundation.
In her role at the Lab, Crawford led foundational and innovative high performance computing efforts on the world’s most powerful supercomputers. Her team of more than 1000 individuals provided mission-driven data science, and complex modeling, simulation, and analysis in support of the nation’s most pressing needs. Prior to her position at LLNL she served in leadership roles at Sandia National Laboratories for more than 25 years.
During her time at LLNL she was Co-Chair of the Council on Competitiveness High Performance Computing Advisory Committee, Co-Chair of the CRDF Global Board and earlier, at Sandia, chair of the 1997 US Supercomputing Conference. She also served on advisory committees for the National Science Foundation and the National Research Council, and joined the California Council on Science and Technology in 2014.
In addition to her current duties as chair for LLF, Ms. Crawford participates on study committees for the National Academy of Sciences, and is a member of the board of directors for the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, the Krell Institute, the Strategic Research Advisory Board at the University of Oklahoma, and the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center.
She holds a master’s degree in operations research from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Redlands, California. Crawford was named the 2005 Woman of the Year in Science in Alameda County and received the Computerworld Honors Award in 2006. In November 2010, she was featured as one of insideHPC’s “Rock Stars of HPC.” Her undergraduate alma mater, presented her with the “Alumni Career Achievement Award” in 2012. She is the first woman to be recognized as an ‘HPCwire People to Watch’ in 2002, and the only woman who made the list twice, again in 2013. In her free time, fostering education, protecting the environment, and giving back to the community remain her primary focus.
Greg Suski
Secretary
Gregory Suski recently retired from his position as Associate Deputy Director for Science and Technology at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory where he helped to oversee the Laboratory’s programs in science and technology research and development, workforce development, and university and industrial partnerships. He joined LLNL in 1976 where, in his early career, he held roles in engineering and computing technology development, and project management for laser-driven inertial confinement research facilities and telecommunications. He subsequently served in program leadership roles in energy and nuclear safety systems, and engineering leadership roles for advanced technology development and applications. In 2002 he served as technical advisor during the formation of the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate and later became the first director for its Threats, Vulnerabilities, Testing and Analysis (TVTA) Program.
Suski received his M.S. and PhD (1975) degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Northwestern University. He is an avid skier and mountain hiker, is married with a son and two daughters, and enjoys grandparent time with his three grandchildren.
Catharine Baker
Director
Catharine Baker serves as Special Counsel to Hoge Fenton Jones & Appel law firm in Pleasanton, where she advises small businesses and non-profit organizations. From 2014 to 2018, she served in the California State Assembly, representing the 16th Assembly District (Lamorinda and the Tri-Valley region). Catharine is Vice Chair of the California Fair Political Practices Committee, to which she was appointed in 2021 by State Controller Betty Yee.
During her legislative tenure, Catharine developed a reputation as an independent, bipartisan voice, fostering collaboration that led to significant legislation on the environment, transportation, public safety, and government accountability. As an active parent leader in local schools, Catharine also focused on improving education, serving as Vice-Chair of the Higher Education Committee and authoring legislation to bring financial transparency and accountability to UC’s Office of the President, and to increase funding and accountability for K-14 education. With a strong commitment to supporting veterans, Catharine also authored groundbreaking legislation to establish and fund Veteran Service Centers at California Community Colleges, and a bill to support veterans as they transition from active duty into higher education.
Catharine is Vice Chair of California Forward, a non-profit that focuses on expanding economic opportunity for all Californians. She serves as President of the Diablo Regional Arts Association in Walnut Creek. She is also a Board Director with California Women Lead, a statewide non-partisan non-profit that helps women attain appointed and elected office. Catharine earned her B.A. degree from the University of Chicago and her J.D. degree from UC Berkeley School of Law and has an honorary Doctorate in Humanities from National University. Catharine is married to her college sweetheart, Dan, and they currently live in Dublin with their twin children.
Kim Budil
Ex Officio Director
Kimberly S. Budil is the director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), where she leads a workforce of approximately 8,400 employees and manages an annual operating budget of $3 billion. As director, she sets the strategic vision for the Laboratory and is responsible for the successful execution of programs and operations to enhance national security through application of cutting edge science and technology and to maintain an outstanding and diverse workforce.
Dr. Budil leads the development and implementation of the Laboratory’s scientific vision, goals and objectives, and engages with the senior leadership of the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, and other federal agencies, as well as senior leaders across government, academia and the private sector. She serves on several boards and participates in numerous professional and community outreach activities.
Prior to this, she served as the Vice President for National Laboratories at the University of California Office of the President, where she led the University’s oversight and governance of LLNL, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. She served twice on special assignment in Washington, DC, including as a Senior Adviser to the Under Secretary for Science at the Department of Energy (DOE). She has M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in applied science/engineering from the University of California, Davis where she was the recipient of a Hertz Foundation Fellowship, and a B.S. in physics from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In 2019 she was named a Fellow of the American Physical Society.
Michael Carter
Director
Dr. Michael Carter served as the Program Director for DoD Technology Programs and as a member of the senior leadership staff in the National Ignition Facility and Photon Science Directorate at LLNL. He has 38 years of experience developing technology solutions for the national security needs of the Department of Energy, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and the Intelligence Community.
In 2002, Dr. Carter served as a technical advisor to the White House in the establishment of DHS. Dr. Carter served as the first Director for Radiological and Nuclear Countermeasures in DHS and the Deputy Director for the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office in DHS. He has served as the Deputy Principal Associate Director for the Global Security Directorate at LLNL and as the Program Director for Counterterrorism programs at LLNL. Dr. Carter led the NIF&PS DoD Technologies Program with emphasis on the maturation of High Energy Laser technology for the Department of Defense until his retirement in 2018.
Dr. Carter has received a Bronze Medal for Meritorious Service and a Team Award from the National Reconnaissance Office, as well as a National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation from the National Imagery and Mapping Agency. In addition to LLF, Dr. Carter also serves on the Board of Directors of Asante Africa Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to quality education in East Africa.
Mike is a professional photographer and the author of a cancer survival book entitled “An Optimist is Buried with a Wine Collection.” Mike is married and has two children.
Brett Henrikson
Director
Brett Henrikson serves as the Chief of Staff and Senior Director of Strategy & Governance for the UC National Laboratories division of the University of California Office of the President.
An attorney by profession, he joined the University in 2013 as Senior Counsel in the Office of the General Counsel. He also practiced law as an in-house counsel with Los Alamos National Laboratory. His prior board experience includes serving as board secretary for the LLCs that operate the Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, and as board member for the Jazz House and the Bay Farm School PTSA. He is a graduate of Duke University and Harvard Law School, and an active member of the California Bar. He lives in Alameda with his wife, three children, and two dogs.
Anantha Krishnan
Director
Dr. Anantha Krishnan is the Senior Vice President for the Energy Group at General Atomics. GA’s Energy Group is a world leader in fusion energy research and has supported the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Stockpile Stewardship Program for nearly three decades through its expertise in precision manufacturing, materials science, and advanced diagnostics.
From 2005 to 2020, Dr. Krishnan held several positions at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). As the Associate Laboratory Director for Engineering at LLNL, he was responsible for leading a diverse organization of approximately 2,400 personnel that provided the engineering science and technology capabilities to ensure the success of the Laboratory’s missions.
From 1999 to 2005, Dr. Krishnan was a Program Manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). He managed several programs in the area of nano-bio-technology for the Defense Sciences Office (DSO), as well as programs in the area of high performance microelectronic circuit design for the Microsystems Technology Office (MTO). In recognition of his efforts at DARPA, he was awarded the Medal for Exceptional Public Service by the Office of the Secretary of Defense in 2005. Dr. Krishnan holds a doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Lori Souza
Director
Until recently, Lori was fulfilling a 40-year career at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), which included 14 years in the field of Information Systems Management, and 25 years in Operations Management within several LLNL discipline and program directorates. A computer systems analyst by training, with extensive experience in Operations, she was most recently the Associate Deputy Director, at LLNL. During her career, she served in numerous project leadership roles on behalf of the LLNL Director.
Throughout her career, Lori has been a strong advocate for education and career advancement. She has been the architect for several Leadership Development Programs within LLNL organizations. She was instrumental in the establishment of diversity and recruitment programs and led the Laboratory’s award-winning Post Doctoral Program.
Lori serves in numerous community leadership roles. She has been a Rotarian in Livermore since 1998 and has served on the Board of Directors for the Rotarian Foundation of Livermore. She now serves as a Past Chair for the Las Positas College Foundation Board, and as Immediate Past Chair of the Tri-Valley Conservancy Board of Directors. Lori joined the SPARC Organization’s Capital Campaign Committee to secure funding to build a regional Theater Lab in downtown Livermore. In 2021 she was appointed by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to serve on the East County Zoning Adjustments Board.
Throughout her career, Lori has been a strong advocate for education and career advancement. She has been the architect for several Leadership Development Programs within LLNL organizations. She was instrumental in the establishment of diversity and recruitment programs and led the Laboratory’s award-winning Post Doctoral Program. Lori has an MBA from Golden Gate University.
June Yu
Director
June Yu is the University of California National Laboratories (UCNL) Associate Vice President and the Interim Vice President for UC National Laboratories. In this role, she serves as deputy to the Vice President, participating in and supervising the activities of UCNL, including interactions with the UC Office of the President, UC campuses, national labs, LLC partners, the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration. UCNL is responsible for the management oversight and governance of three national laboratories – Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL).
June was previously the Executive Director for National Laboratory Programs within UCNL, where she was responsible for activities related to Science, Technology, and Engineering and Mission excellence at LBNL, LLNL, and LANL, and contributed to efforts to enhance partnerships between the UC campuses and the national labs. June came to UCNL in 2014 from LLNL, where she had a distinguished career leading research efforts in collaboration with scientific discipline organizations and interfaced with laboratory support organizations and all three mission directorates (National Ignition Facility and Photon Sciences, Global Security, and Weapons Complex Integration). These efforts ranged from conducting cutting edge applied research to delivering quick-reaction capabilities in service of urgent national security needs. June holds a doctorate in optical sciences from the University of Arizona.
Carolyn Zerkle
Director
Carolyn Zerkle is deputy director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and vice president of Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC. Zerkle participates in the day-to-day management of the Laboratory and works closely with the Livermore Field Office (LFO), the LLNS Board of Governors, the Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA), other national laboratories, industry, and the local community.
She oversees key institutional priorities, including safe and successful operations and vital infrastructure to support program deliverables; recruitment and retention of a quality operations workforce; and efficient business and operational approaches.
Previously, Zerkle was senior director for Project Execution in the Plutonium Infrastructure Directorate in Los Alamos National Laboratory’s (LANL) Weapons Program, overseeing an $8 billion portfolio of nuclear construction and equipment installation in support of LANL’s pit manufacturing mission.
Zerkle earned an undergraduate degree in architecture and civil engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and graduate degrees in architecture and business, focusing on nuclear construction project management, from the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign.
Charlene Zettel
Director
Charlene Zettel is a former California State Assemblymember representing the 75th Assembly District from 1998-2002; and was the first Republican Latina elected to the state legislature. Besides serving as Republican Caucus chair, she was vice-chair of the Jobs and Economic Development committee, and a member of Appropriations, Education, Health, Rules, and Transportation committees. Ms. Zettel was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as Director of the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) in 2004 and provided oversight for over 40 regulatory boards and bureaus, employing over 2,000 people and licensing 2.5 million Californians.
In the non-profit area, Ms. Zettel served as Chief Executive Officer of Donate Life California, the state-authorized nonprofit administering the nation’s largest organ and tissue donor registry, serving from 2011-2016 and growing the registry from eight to twelve million registered donors before her retirement. Ms. Zettel also served as Interim CEO for the San Diego/Imperial Counties Region of the American Red Cross in 2017 until a permanent CEO was selected. She now serves as Chair of the American Red Cross Board of Directors. Other public service included election to the Poway Unified School District Board of Education in 1992 and 1996, twice serving as Board President. She also was named to the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Board by the North San Diego County Mayors and later by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Ms. Zettel, was appointed to the University of California Board of Regents by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009 for a 12-year term, ending March 2021. During her tenure as a regent, she also represented UC on the Board of Governors for Lawrence Livermore National Security, (LLNS), the managing contractor of LLNL, and served as board chair for two years. In addition to state service, Ms. Zettel received a presidential appointment in 2002 as a Public Interest Director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. Raised in Los Angeles, she received a Bachelor of Science from the USC School of Dentistry where she met her husband, David. They have two grown sons, Brent and Jeff.