Jean Toal Eisen new AURA VP for Corporate Strategy
Jean Toal EisenThe Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is pleased to announce Jean Toal Eisen will join the AURA Corporate Office on August 16, 2022, as the new Vice President for Corporate Strategy.
Toal Eisen comes to AURA after serving on the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Appropriations since 2010, most recently in the position of Staff Director/Clerk of the Commerce Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee under the leadership of Senator Jeanne Shaheen and previously under Senator Barbara Mikulski. She was responsible for the oversight of annual appropriations for the Departments of Justice and Commerce, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and National Space Council, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
She began her Senate career as a staff assistant for Senator Ernest Hollings of South Carolina, and later served on the staff of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation as Senior Adviser and Deputy Policy Director for Chairman Dan Inouye, before serving as Deputy Policy Director at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
“I am excited to join AURA at a time when astronomy and astrophysics are on the front page, amazing people all over the world. That doesn’t happen without world class science and engineering and a lot of hard work. I look forward to helping AURA and its Centers keep American astronomy innovative so that our scientists can stay on the forefront of discovery and of the public imagination,” Eisen commented.
In her new position Jean Toal Eisen will work with AURA’s Leadership, Board and Centers to further develop its strategy, ensuring alignment with that of AURA’s stakeholders: the community, the Agencies and Congress and report to the AURA President, Matt Mountain.
“We are delighted to welcome Jean to AURA. Her tremendous experience and knowledge will be instrumental in continuing our mission of enabling world class astronomical facilities and breakthrough science, enrolling everyone in the excitement of discovery,” added Mountain.
Jean Toal Eisen will be based out of the AURA Washington, DC office.