Sarah Brady

Sarah Brady

Dr. Sarah Brady is the Interim Chief Executive Officer of the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST), a nonpartisan, nonprofit corporation established in 1988 to advise the state of California on matters of science and technology. She previously served as Deputy Director, leading outreach efforts to connect CCST’s network of experts with state decision makers and directing large-scale commissioned projects requested by the Legislature and state agencies. She is also a member of the CCST Science Fellows Alumni Steering Committee.

In her time at CCST, Brady has directed the CCST Science and Technology Policy Fellows program, led budget asks to the Legislature, increased opportunities for partner engagement, and grown CCST’s team with a commitment to maintaining an inclusive work culture. Her efforts to innovate on how CCST delivers its work and expand its network led to the inception of CCST’s annual Science and Technology Week, launched a new suite of rapid-response products including Expert Briefings and primers, and expanded the fellowship program to the Executive Branch.

Prior to joining CCST, Brady served as Legislative Director in Assemblymember Susan Bonilla’s office where she was hired after her placement as a CCST Science Fellow in 2014. In her work with Assemblywoman Bonilla, Brady spearheaded legislation to increase the use of biomethane; reduce the cost of college textbooks; improve access to computer science education; and retain women in STEM careers by establishing equitable family leave policy. In addition, she conducted bill analysis and provided vote recommendations to Assemblywoman Bonilla on all bills related to utilities and commerce, energy, water, natural resources, and environmental toxicity.

Brady was named a “40 Under 40” honoree by Sacramento Business Journal in 2020 and a “California Women in Energy, Woman to Watch” awardee in 2016. She earned a Doctorate in Chemistry at the University of Oregon researching the degradation of plastics and Bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and French from North Central College.  She was also a GK-12 Fellow and an NSF-IGERT Fellow where she worked at Hong Kong Baptist University.