Update: Applications for the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship Have Closed
Five Distinguished Leaders in Science, Engineering, Policy, and Philanthropy Appointed to CCST Board of Directors
April 15, 2021 | CCST Newsroom, Federal Research in California, Press Releases | Contact: Mikel Shybut
SACRAMENTO, Calif.—As part of a major expansion, the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) is proud to announce the appointment of five new members to the Board of Directors. Distinguished leaders in science, engineering, policy, and philanthropy, these new members bring a diverse set of experiences and expertise to drive CCST’s initiative on disaster resilience and the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellowship while advancing its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Notably, with these appointments CCST has reached gender parity in representation on the Board.
“These newly appointed Board members represent leaders and innovators who are passionate about using an evidence-based approach to inform, improve, and guide the future of California’s policies,” said Board Chair Peter Cowhey. “CCST seeks members who are change makers, people who will share experience, connections, and points of view that enrich our vision to ensure a more resilient future for all communities in California—and in these Board members, we found them.”
“CCST has an ambitious vision to advance our mission that demands visionary leadership, strong institutional partnerships, and policy expertise at all levels,” said Board Vice Chair Lisa Rossbacher. “These newest members join the Board ready to hit the ground running. Representing our Partner Institutions and beyond, they will be critical to meeting our mission as we tap into expertise to address the slate of issues facing California today and tomorrow.”
Recently expanded, the CCST Board of Directors is composed of 10 institutional directors representing experts from CCST’s partner institutions and appointed by the President of the University of California, and now includes an additional 8 independent seats for leaders in business, policy, and philanthropy appointed directly by the Board of Directors.
Meet the five newly appointed members of the CCST Board of Directors:
Dr. Erika Bustamante is the Assistant Vice President of State Government Affairs at Stanford University where she oversees the activities and relationships with state governmental bodies related to regulatory and legislative issues impacting Stanford’s mission and operations.
“Dr. Bustamante brings extensive policy savvy from her work at Stanford and experience in the California State Legislature. We are thrilled to have a former CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellow now serving as a member of the Board,” said Board Chair Peter Cowhey. “She has been dedicated to shaping this flagship program as a member of the Fellows Selection Committee, and she brings crucial experience as a Board member of the Latino Leadership Alliance.”
Read Dr. Bustamante’s Full Bio
Bernadette Glenn leads the WHH Foundation, a family foundation based in Los Angeles with family members scattered throughout the US, whose focus is to ‘invest in human capital’ through grants in education, the arts, health, and community building.
“Bernadette has long-been a champion of the CCST Science & Technology Policy Fellows program, having a direct impact on the career trajectories of early career PhD scientists. She truly lives up to her foundation’s focus of investing in human capital, and that will be an essential perspective to have on our Board,” said CCST Board Chair Peter Cowhey. “She brings keen insights into the philanthropic community and extensive Board experience including membership on Caltech’s Board of Associates.”
Dr. Elizabeth A. Hadly is Paul S. & Billie Achilles Professor of Environmental Biology and Faculty Director of Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve at Stanford University. She also holds appointments as Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Yeung University Fellow in Undergraduate Education, Senior Fellow, Woods Institute for the Environment, and Senior Fellow, Center for Innovation in Global Health, Stanford School of Medicine.
“Dr. Hadly brings critical and renowned understanding of the vulnerability of Earth’s ecosystems and a skilled hand at crafting a policy-forward approach as we advance our initiative toward disaster resilience. Her work to highlight human-induced damage to Earth’s ecological support systems, promoted internationally by Governor Brown, is a model example for scientists who wish to effectively and accessibly engage in policy,” said CCST Board Chair Peter Cowhey. “Her experience as a global change maker and her dedication to bringing more under-represented and minoritized students into ecology make her an asset to this Board.”
Dr. Susan Hubbard is the Associate Lab Director for Earth & Environmental Sciences Area at Berkeley Lab, leading a premier organization of approximately 500 staff and affiliates with expertise in climate and ecosystem sciences and energy geosciences. This organization is focused on tackling some of the most pressing environmental and energy challenges of the 21st Century. Dr. Hubbard is also a Senior Scientist at Berkeley Lab and an Adjunct Professor at UC Berkeley.
“Dr. Hubbard has a long and committed history of service to CCST and its mission, actively engaging in studies and briefings and guiding our work as a Council member. She brings leadership experience and extensive expertise on issues highly relevant to California that make her a tremendous addition to our Board,” said CCST Board Chair Peter Cowhey. “She is adept at communicating directly with decision makers and the policy community on issues of high import and high complexity. Her commitment to increasing diversity and fostering equity and inclusion for women and underrepresented groups in STEM and developing early-career scientists is essential to meeting CCST’s mission and values.”
Dr. Pramod Khargonekar is the Vice Chancellor for Research and Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of California, Irvine.
“Dr. Khargonekar combines renowned engineering and policy expertise with a vision for California to be competitive in a global landscape,” said CCST Board Chair Peter Cowhey. “His experience with the National Science Foundation, managing a budget of nearly $1 billion as Assistant Director for the Directorate of Engineering, will provide critical insights into how California can enhance its leadership in the US and globally by making strategic investments in science and technology and tapping into institutional partnerships.”
Read Dr. Khargonekar’s Full Bio
“The implementation of this new vision for CCST’s Board of Directors propels CCST toward greater impact as we ramp up our work on disaster resilience in California,” said CCST Executive Director Amber Mace. “The issues facing California are highly complex and intersecting, and they will require ingenuity and collaboration across institutions and the philanthropic community to achieve resilient solutions. This group of leaders will help CCST engage the wealth of expertise in California and beyond as we partner with them toward a resilient California for all.”
The full Board of Directors can be found on CCST’s website.
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About the California Council on Science and Technology
The California Council on Science and Technology is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization established via the California State Legislature — making California’s policies stronger with science and technology since 1988. We engage leading experts in science and technology to advise State policymakers — ensuring that California policy is strengthened and informed by scientific knowledge, research, and innovation.
Our Mission
To engage leading experts in science and technology to advise State policymakers - ensuring that California policy is strengthened and informed by scientific knowledge, research, and innovation.
