Breanna Bishop selected as LLNL’s senior director of strategic communications

Breanna Bishop has been named as Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s (LLNL’s) senior director of strategic communications, Director Kimberly Budil announced today. Her appointment will be effective July 31.

In this new role, Bishop will lead and manage the planning and execution of an integrated internal and external communications program that effectively informs and engages employees, increases awareness and understanding of the Lab, its programs and its missions and ensures the Lab’s image and reputation are upheld. As a member of the Laboratory’s Senior Management Team, she will report to the Lab director and will be a trusted communications advisor to both the director and other senior leaders.

Bishop will work to align communications efforts with Lab strategy and will collaborate with senior leadership and teams of communicators across the Lab to define communication priorities and initiatives. In partnership with Government Relations and External Affairs, she will coordinate with diverse stakeholders, including local communities, the State of California, the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the intelligence community and others. 

“Breanna’s qualifications and prior experiences make her well-suited to take on the challenges associated with this key senior management position,” Budil said. “She is highly respected by Laboratory senior management and employees for her unwavering commitment to accurate, timely and transparent Lab communications, and she has demonstrated her leadership abilities by inspiring openness, teamwork and integrity. I am confident Breanna will continue to champion the Laboratory’s important issues through strategic communications and help achieve significant impact for our diverse community.”

Since June 30, 2021, Bishop has served as the acting director of the Public Affairs Office (PAO) and was the PAO deputy director from 2016–2021. She joined the Laboratory in 2011 and has led a wide array of communications efforts, including media relations, employee communications, digital communications and community and external relations.

Prior to joining LLNL, Bishop served as the public relations manager for the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. She holds a B.S. in mass communication from Minnesota State University, Mankato and an M.A. in higher education administration from the University of South Dakota.