Todd Pray was named Berkeley Lab’s Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer (CSPO) and head of the Strategic Partnerships Office (SPO) in March 2019. Prior to this, Todd’s career had been dedicated to developing technologies that improve human health and environmental sustainability across a broad spectrum of pharmaceutical, food science, and renewable fuel and chemical product R&D programs. As CSPO, he is committed to expanding his vision and focus to encompass all areas of scientific research represented at the Lab.
Kristin manages strategic funding opportunities and key institutional relationships for cross-functional cooperation and cultivates resources to support the Lab’s diverse community of researchers. Over her career, she has worked across the Lab to ensure it is leveraging and building on its distinct strengths as a national laboratory. She championed strategic planning for funding opportunity development and capture, including large-scale competitive research and early-stage opportunities, and the cultivation of external relationships with key strategic partners to strengthen institutional research priorities.
Gail is responsible for Partnerships and Proposals program management and enabling the overall business and proposal development process. Prior to joining SPO, Gail was an innovation and transformation leader at AIG, working on the launch of their innovation centers and developing their innovation portfolio and network to meet client needs across industry sectors through partnerships with start-ups, VC’s, accelerators, and universities.
Suzanne joined LBNL in 2015 and leads a team of Contract Officers supporting the Biosciences, Computing Sciences, and Earth & Environmental Sciences Areas and User Agreement portfolio. In addition to her leadership role, she directly manages a diverse portfolio that includes federal engagements for the Computing Sciences Area, DOE Lab to Lab integrated contract purchases for the Energy Sciences Areas, and nonfederal engagements for Advanced Light Source, Chemical Sciences, and Materials Sciences. With over 19 years of experience within the University of California system, Suzanne brings extensive expertise in research administration and contracting. Prior to joining LBNL, she held positions at UC San Francisco and UC Davis, where she was responsible for processing, drafting, and negotiating research agreements with federal, state, nonprofit, and private industry sponsors, as well as managing subcontracts across a broad range of scientific disciplines.
Joanna leads a team of Contracts Officers supporting the Computing Sciences, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Energy Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Energy Technologies Areas. In addition to her leadership role, she directly manages a portfolio of non-federal engagements with a focus on Building Technologies and Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts. With over two decades of experience in contract management across research, higher education, construction, and software sectors, Joanna brings deep expertise in strategic partnerships, customer relations, process optimization, negotiation, cost efficiency, and financial analysis. Prior to her current role at LBNL SPO, she held positions at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF); LBNL's Procurement Division; Princeton University; Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL); and QAD Inc.
Theresa joined the Lab in 2009 and has since collaborated with multiple scientific divisions in various capacities. Currently serving as the SPO Business Manager and Contractor Supported Research (CSR) Coordinator, she plays a key role in supporting the SPO team by leveraging her extensive experience in business operations. Theresa is responsible for identifying, implementing, and overseeing essential business processes within SPO, as well as managing the processing of gifts made by donors. Passionate about contributing to Lab-wide initiatives, she actively participates in working groups, which helps her broaden her professional network and deepen her knowledge.
Melanie Sonsteng manages all facets of the innovative Cyclotron Road program. She works closely with incoming and current Fellows, manages on-site operations and events, and ensures that fellows have everything they need.
