Photo credit: www.govexec.com

Adele Merritt Steps into Leadership Role at NIH as Chief Information Officer

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced on Monday a significant leadership change, appointing Adele Merritt as their new Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Director of the NIH Office of the Chief Information Officer. Merritt officially took on her new responsibilities on December 16, transitioning from her previous role as CIO for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, a position she held since January 2022.

As part of the Department of Health and Human Services, NIH plays a vital role in conducting biomedical research. In her new capacity, Merritt will report directly to Sean Mooney, the NIH associate director responsible for information technology, cyberinfrastructure, and cybersecurity.

NIH highlighted in a statement that Merritt’s extensive experience positions her well to guide the strategic direction of NIH’s IT resources and infrastructure. Her responsibilities will include overseeing strategy, policy, governance, security, and comprehensive oversight efforts.

During her tenure as the CIO for the Intelligence Community, Merritt managed IT operations across 18 federal agencies, focusing on modernizing technological systems and enhancing cybersecurity practices. NIH emphasized that her leadership was crucial in promoting cybersecurity innovation and fostering partnerships through the Technology Advancement Center (formerly known as MISI), a non-profit organization dedicated to collaboration among industry, academia, and government.

Merritt has also recently been honored with a 2024 Federal 100 award, which recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves in advancing federal IT initiatives within the past year. Nominators praised her role in recruiting top talent in technology and her commitment to building collaborative networks both within the intelligence community and with external partners.

At an Intelligence and National Security Alliance event last December, Merritt emphasized the importance of broadening recruitment efforts for cybersecurity positions. She stated that intelligence agencies should look “beyond the Beltway” to find highly qualified professionals. She further advocated for demystifying agency workloads by engaging with college students, which could help cultivate a skilled workforce ready to tackle emerging challenges.

Before her role at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Merritt was the principal deputy CIO for cyber at the Department of Energy and held various senior roles, including a position on the National Security Council.

Source
www.govexec.com