The Biden-Harris Administration has named a former J.P.Morgan executive and deputy division director at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to be NOAA's next chief scientist.
Sarah Kapnick was named to the post on July 7, NOAA announced at the time. Kapnick, the third woman to be named NOAA's chief scientist, will promote NOAA's science and technology priorities, the announcement reports. Described in the announcement as "(A)n executive with 18 years of experience at the intersection of climate science and economics," Kapnick was a deputy director at NOAA's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. In 2021, she joined J.P. Morgan as senior climate scientist and sustainability strategist for asset and wealth management, NOAA reports.
NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said in the announcement that he is "excited to welcome Sarah back to NOAA in this important capacity."
“She brings technical expertise in climate prediction and modeling," Spinrad said, "and real-world experience from the private and public sector that will be valuable as NOAA leverages our full suite of science capabilities to build a Climate-Ready Nation.”
Kapnick graduated from Princeton University with an A.B. in mathematics; she then earned her Ph.D. in atmospheric and oceanic sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles, according NOAA. After working for Goldman Sachs Group Inc. as an investment banking analyst, Kapnick joined NOAA as a climate science expert, the announcement states.
“It is an honor to return to NOAA and serve as the chief scientist," Kapnick said in the announcement. "Our products and services are integral not only to the daily lives of Americans, but also in protecting property and supporting commerce."
"The continuous development of our science- and climate-related products will be critical to support the economy, address climate change and ensure healthy oceans," Kapnick said.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in the announcement that she has "no doubt that Dr. Kapnick will play an important role in advancing the Department’s goal of addressing the climate crisis by providing science, data and services to help communities and businesses become climate-ready."
