Jill Hruby

Jill Hruby served as the under secretary for nuclear decurity at the Department of Energy and administrator on the National Nuclear Security Administration from July 2021 to January 2025. Prior to being a political appointee, Hruby had a distinguished 34-year career at Sandia National Laboratories. She joined Sandia as a member of the technical staff in 1983 and retired as the laboratories director in 2017.

Hruby earned her bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and her master’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley, both in mechanical engineering. She has received honorary doctorate degrees from Purdue University and Michigan State University. In 2022, she was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. She has won numerous awards, including the Department of Energy Secretary’s Exceptional Service Award and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. Currently, Hruby consults on artificial intelligence and serves on boards at laboratories and nonprofit organizations.