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Baylis named new director of Diversity Programs

Tony Baylis has been named the new director of the Office of Strategic Diversity Programs (OSDP). Baylis' appointment began earlier this month.

Since joining LLNL in 2005 as a program manager in the Computation Directorate, Baylis has been a key leader for workforce, recruitment and diversity efforts. Computation Associate Director Dona Crawford praised Baylis' contributions to her organization over the last eight years.

"Tony has been a tireless champion of Computation's recruitment and outreach efforts," Crawford said. "He is committed to helping underrepresented students discover the possibilities in STEM fields, and he has been a major force behind making our organization and the Lab a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment."

Baylis has more than two decades of experience working in academic and technical environments and brings with him considerable experience networking with a broad range of academic, industry, government and non-profit organizations. Prior to joining LLNL, he spent 17 years at the University of Illinois, most of it working at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications where he was responsible for management of the center including: program and project oversight; personnel management; grant coordination; and facilities management.

This appointment is a natural fit for Baylis who credits his family and friends, including his supervisors and colleagues, for shaping him and preparing him for this role. "My supervisors have allowed me to use my strengths and passion for working with employees and students in and outside of work to build a network that connects people to opportunities," Baylis said. "I have colleagues and friends who are from all over the world and all walks of life, so diversity and inclusiveness have always been a part of my personal life."

Baylis says his beliefs were shaped at a young age. "My grandparents and mom instilled in me the desire to care for all and to treat every human being with dignity and respect," he said. "My belief is that every person has something to give and is special in his or her own way, and it is my pleasure to help everyone in my personal and professional life to realize and achieve their full potential."

Baylis is committed to serving as an advocate for diversity. He has new ideas, new energy, and new skills that will serve the program well. His primary goals for the program are to:
  • Attract and retain a diverse workforce to meet our mission needs.
  • Create a naturally inclusive work environment.
  • Help the Lab to better reflect society's demographics.
  • Encourage LLNL leadership to develop strategies, programs, and activities that promote the creation of a diverse and inclusive workforce with a focus on continuous improvement.
  • Help others recognize and understand why diversity is important to the lab's growth, and also to be a proactive partner in making inclusiveness a way of life.
Baylis dedicates his spare time to mentoring and assisting students in all science disciplines, helping them discover their path and making an effort to stay involved and connected to those students. He has been a volunteer for various organizations, associations and conferences.

When not at work, Baylis also enjoys exercise and travel; however, he says that his children are the greatest passion in his life. "They are the reason I do what I do. If I can serve as a role model by bringing people together from all walks of life to solve the big problems in the world, then I have done my part," he said. "I hope to strengthen the possibility of their living in a world that respects and values everyone. This is essential to our advancing successfully as a society."

As the OSDP director, Baylis will be responsible for overseeing the successful execution of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) program, American Indian Program, Hispanic Serving Institutions and the Laboratory's Diversity Awareness Program and activities, and will represent the Laboratory on the subjects of diversity, EEO, and AA to DOE/NNSA.

This appointment was recently announced in an administrative memo from Director Parney Albright, Deputy Director Tom Gioconda and the deputy director for Science & Technology, Bill Goldstein. Baylis succeeds Tommy Smith, who retired earlier this year.