The American Geophysical Union (AGU), a renowned global organization dedicated to advancing Earth and space sciences, has officially announced Janice R. Lachance, J.D., as its new Executive Director and CEO. Lachance, who has been serving as the interim leader for the past two years, brings a wealth of experience and a strategic vision aimed at strengthening AGU’s role as a global scientific community navigating an increasingly complex political landscape. Her appointment marks a significant step forward for AGU’s mission to promote scientific discovery and foster collaborations that transcend political and geographic boundaries.
Lachance’s extensive career is marked by notable achievements in both the nonprofit and government sectors. She is an attorney admitted to practice in Maine, the District of Columbia, and before the United States Supreme Court, providing her with a unique legal perspective that enriches her executive leadership. Her role as a trusted advisor to multiple U.S. Presidents underscores her ability to lead with policy acumen and a commitment to public service. This background is particularly relevant as AGU continues to advocate for science’s critical role in addressing societal challenges such as climate change and sustainable development.
Throughout her tenure at AGU, Lachance has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to sustainability and global partnership. She spearheaded the transformation of AGU’s headquarters into Washington, D.C.’s first commercial net-zero energy renovation, aligning the organization’s physical presence with its environmental values. This achievement signals AGU’s dedication to modeling sustainability in practice, a crucial element as scientific institutions worldwide strive to reduce their carbon footprints. Moreover, Lachance’s leadership in expanding AGU’s global reach has facilitated deeper engagement with international science societies and United Nations bodies, promoting a holistic approach to global scientific challenges.
Leadership within scientific organizations today requires navigating multifaceted issues within rapidly evolving political contexts, a challenge Lachance is uniquely positioned to meet. Her strategic mindset ensures that AGU’s programs and policies maintain scientific integrity while fostering inclusive dialogue across diverse communities. By rising above political partisanship, Lachance aims to champion science as a universal tool for societal benefit, reinforcing its role in evidence-based policy making. Her vision encompasses a ten-year outlook to ensure AGU remains at the forefront of scientific innovation and advocacy.
AGU President Brandon Jones, Ph.D., lauded Lachance as an exceptional leader whose expertise and foresight inspire confidence in steering the organization forward. Her ability to manage complex departments and spearhead critical initiatives reflects her capacity for operational excellence. Crucially, Lachance recognizes the importance of building robust partnerships that enhance scientific collaboration on a global scale. These alliances are instrumental in addressing transnational challenges such as climate resilience, natural disaster preparedness, and space exploration.
The unanimous endorsement from the AGU Board of Directors and the Executive Search Committee underscores Lachance’s exemplary qualifications and the high regard in which she is held within the scientific and policy communities. Chair of the Search Committee Lisa J. Graumlich, Ph.D., emphasized Lachance’s intellectual rigor and her role as a beacon of hope amidst a challenging political environment. Lachance’s dedication to science advocacy positions her as a pivotal figure capable of galvanizing support for geophysical research and interdisciplinary scientific endeavors.
Guy P. Brasseur, Ph.D., a Search Committee member, highlighted Lachance’s inclusive leadership style, which fosters participation across gender, cultural, and scientific disciplines. At a time when academic freedom faces increasing threats worldwide, her resolve to uphold open and rational scientific inquiry is critical. Lachance’s leadership serves not only AGU’s diverse membership but the broader scientific enterprise, demonstrating the fundamental link between robust research and sustainable economic development.
Before her distinguished career at AGU, Lachance served in several high-level federal government roles, including Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Appointed by President Bill Clinton and confirmed unanimously by the Senate, she managed policy and operational oversight for the nation’s federal civil service workforce. This experience honed her skills in managing large, complex organizations with diverse stakeholder interests, a valuable asset for her current role directing a global scientific community.
In the Biden-Harris Administration, Lachance held appointments that further exemplify her leadership in public service. Her involvement with the American Library Association, the Better Business Bureau’s Foundation, and the Special Library Association as CEO reflects a career-long commitment to advancing knowledge, ethical standards, and organizational excellence. These roles demonstrate her ability to lead multifaceted organizations dedicated to public trust and information dissemination, underpinning AGU’s mission of fostering ethical and unbiased scientific communication.
Under Lachance’s leadership, AGU is expected to continue developing strategic initiatives that emphasize sustainability, global partnership, and advocacy for the geophysical sciences. Her legal expertise, combined with extensive nonprofit and governmental experience, equips her to address the contemporary challenges facing scientific organizations. These challenges include securing funding for fundamental research, protecting scientific integrity in policymaking, and promoting diversity and inclusion within the geoscience community.
As AGU embarks on this new chapter, Lachance aims to position the organization as a global leader that not only advances Earth and space sciences but also exemplifies responsible stewardship of science in society. Her focus on long-term vision and proactive leadership will be instrumental in navigating the evolving geopolitical context and accelerating scientific discovery to meet pressing global needs. AGU’s commitment to its core values, including equity, ethics, and sustainability, will continue to be embodied in the organization’s strategy and operations.
Janice R. Lachance assumed her role as Executive Director and CEO immediately upon appointment. Her leadership heralds a reinvigorated era for AGU, promising to amplify the voice of geoscientists worldwide and reinforce the organization’s dedication to research that serves society and the planet. AGU members and partners are encouraged to engage with Lachance’s vision as the union pursues innovative science and global collaboration to address Earth’s most urgent challenges.
Media inquiries regarding this appointment can be addressed to Josh Weinberg at news@agu.org. AGU members seeking information are directed to contact President Brandon Jones, Ph.D., at President@AGU.org or to Lisa J. Graumlich, Ph.D., the immediate past president and chair of the Search Committee, at pastpresident@agu.org.
Subject of Research: Leadership and strategic development in global scientific organizations focused on Earth and space sciences.
Article Title: Janice R. Lachance Named Executive Director and CEO of American Geophysical Union
News Publication Date: Not specified in the text.
Web References: https://www.agu.org/
Keywords: Scientific associations, Earth sciences, Space sciences, Geophysical sciences, Scientific leadership, Sustainability in science, Global scientific collaboration, Academic freedom, Science policy, Net-zero energy, Nonprofit leadership, Government service.
