LLNL Director Kim Budil receives 2024 American Spirit Award

At a recent ceremony, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Director Kim Budil was presented with the 2024 American Spirit Award by The Common Good, a nonprofit nonpartisan platform focused on national policies and trends.

The American Spirit Awards recognize remarkable individuals who have contributed to the betterment of our society. Honored in the “Distinguished Scientific Achievement” category, The Common Good cited LLNL’s “groundbreaking work in nuclear fusion research and its transformative potential for clean energy and climate change mitigation,” highlighting Budil’s outstanding leadership in driving globally significant scientific innovations to solve the world’s most urgent challenges.

“I am proud to represent LLNL’s incredible employees, who work tirelessly to push the boundaries of science and technology in service of national security and global stability,” Budil said. “It is an honor to be recognized with this group of leaders, who have had such impact on our nation and the world.”

Budil is the 13th director of LLNL, where she leads a workforce of more than 8,700 employees and manages an annual operating budget of more than $3 billion. As director, she leads the development and implementation of the Laboratory’s scientific vision, goals and objectives, and engages with the senior leadership of the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration and other federal agencies, as well as senior leaders across government, academia and the private sector. She serves on several boards and participates in numerous professional and community outreach activities.

Budil holds a Ph.D. in engineering and applied science from the University of California, Davis, and a bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

In addition to Budil, 2024 American Spirit honorees included James Clapper, former director of National Intelligence; Jeh Johnson, former secretary of Homeland Security; Leon Panetta, former secretary of Defense; and Alan Schwartz, executive chairman of Guggenheim Partners.