WASHINGTON — The American Geophysical Union Board of Directors and Executive Search Committee is pleased to announce AGU’s new Executive Director and CEO will be Janice R. Lachance, J.D., Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives and the National Academy of Public Administration.
“Janice has served as an exceptional interim Executive Director and CEO during the last two years, said AGU President Brandon Jones, Ph.D. “She has demonstrated the leadership qualities and skills required to lead our complex, global scientific enterprise into the next decade.”
Lachance is an attorney, a highly respected association executive, and a trusted advisor to several U.S. Presidents and elected officials. Since joining AGU eight years ago, Lachance’s achievements in AGU senior leadership positions include leading the reconstruction of the headquarters building into Washington, D.C.’s first net-zero energy renovation of a commercial building and overseeing several departments and programs. She also led two major elements of AGU’s strategic plan: growing AGU into a truly global association and developing a strategy to evaluate potential global partners. Lachance’s overall strategic mindset has ensured that AGU programs and policies rise above political boundaries and share AGU values, including the commitment to advocating for science’s role in benefiting society and the planet. This approach opened the way for robust partnerships across a variety of global science societies and many divisions of the United Nations.
The Search Committee was unanimous in its decision to advance Lachance, and the Board had total confidence in Lachance and her extensive, successful policy-focused career and leadership qualities. Like the Search Committee, the members of the Board were unanimous in their vote to offer Lachance the ED/CEO position, which she accepted.
“I aim to serve as a voice for hope and truth in the sciences,” said Lachance. “I am committed to working on behalf of AGU scientists and leading our staff in this current political climate, and will focus on our future well-being. I will partner with AGU’s volunteer leaders to think ten years ahead to create an AGU that is as successful as today and positioned as a leader in reinvigorating the scientific enterprise.”
Lisa J. Graumlich, Ph.D., who chaired the Search Committee, said, “Janice is the right leader to guide AGU during these challenging political times. She is smart, savvy, and leaning into the unusual circumstances to serve as a beacon of hope for AGU members and our partners. She has demonstrated a strong intellect, capacity, and commitment to be our scientific champion. She is dedicated to leading AGU and the global scientific enterprise into a more sustainable and brighter future.”
“I am particularly pleased that Janice Lachance has accepted the responsibility of becoming CEO of the AGU,” said Guy P. Brasseur, Ph.D., a member of the Search Committee. “
Janice has an excellent reputation as a fair and effective leader whose interventions are always balanced and meaningful. At the same time, she has shown her determination to support rational and open science involving a wide range of female and male researchers in a multidisciplinary, intercultural, and international framework. At a time when academic freedom is increasingly under threat, the AGU must stand strong to defend the geophysical sciences and show that fundamental research is the keystone of our future and the foundation of our future economic development.”
Before Lachance’s work in the nonprofit sector, she was nominated by President Clinton and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the Cabinet-ranked Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, where she managed policy and programmatic leadership of the nation’s 2.1-million-member civil service. Prior to becoming Director, Janice served as OPM’s Director of Communications and Policy, Chief of Staff, and Deputy Director. Lachance has also served as Chair of the National Labor-Management Partnership Council, a member of the President’s Management Council, a Commissioner of the White House Fellows program, and a member of the President’s Council on the 2000 Presidential Transition.
More recently, Lachance held two appointments within the Biden-Harris Administration. She has worked in leadership positions with the American Library Association and the Better Business Bureau’s Foundation and as CEO of the Special Library Association.
On top of her dynamic career, Lachance is also an attorney who is admitted to practice law in the State of Maine, the District of Columbia, and the United States Supreme Court. This legal lens helps shape her thinking and approach to tackling tough issues.
Lachance will become AGU’s ED/CEO immediately. Media questions can be directed to: Josh Weinberg at news@agu.org. AGU member questions should be sent to AGU President Brandon Jones, Ph.D., at President@AGU.org or to the search committee chair, Lisa J. Graumlich, Ph.D., AGU immediate past president, at pastpresident@agu.org.
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The American Geophysical Union (www.agu.org) is a global community supporting more than half a million scientists, advocates, and professionals in Earth and space sciences. Through broad and inclusive partnerships, AGU aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerate knowledge and create solutions that are ethical, unbiased and respectful of communities and their values. Our programs include serving as a scholarly publisher, convening virtual and in-person events and providing career support. We live our values in everything we do, such as our net zero energy renovated building in Washington, D.C. and our Ethics and Equity Center, which fosters a diverse and inclusive geoscience community to ensure responsible conduct.