The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced new Biden-Harris Administration appointees that have joined the team to help combat climate change and build a more prosperous and equitable clean energy future. With these new hires, DOE appointees make up an historically diverse team with 59% women, 56% people of color, and 19% of staff identifying as LGBTQ+.
“We are thrilled to welcome another group of accomplished and driven leaders to our team who will help achieve our goal of a prosperous, equitable clean energy future for every American family,” said Chief of Staff Tarak Shah. “With the help of the investments from Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, our staff will continue the important work of powering clean energy innovation, building the foundation of a clean economy, and relentlessly pursuing climate change solutions that will create hope for future generations.”
New appointees and their roles are listed below:
Gina Coplon-Newfield, Chief of Staff, Office of Policy
Most recently, Gina Coplon-Newfield was the founding Director of Sierra Club’s Clean Transportation for All Campaign. Previously, she ran campaigns and programs at Physicians for Human Rights, the US Campaign to Ban Landmines, and a Boston-based lead poisoning prevention initiative. She previously served on the Massachusetts Zero Emission Vehicle Commission. She earned a B.A. from Tufts University and a master's in Public Administration at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.
Miranda Dixon, Director of Advance, Office of Management
Miranda Dixon most recently she worked as an Event Producer for a woman-owned event firm and advanced trips for Vice President Kamala Harris. Prior to that, she spent three years as a traveling advance associate for the Obama White House and was the Advance Coordinator for Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro. She was a Scheduler and Executive Assistant to a Member of Congress as well as a Special Assistant at the US Small Business Administration. Miranda obtained her bachelor's degree at the American University of Paris in Paris, France.
Mailinh McNicholas, Special Assistant, Office of Science
Mailinh McNicholas most recently served as a Staff Assistant at the White House. She previously worked as a Regional Organizing Director in South Florida during the 2020 general election on the Biden for President Campaign as a Field Organizer during the 2020 Presidential Primary. Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, McNicholas graduated from the George Washington University with a B.A. in Political Communication.
Chad Smith, Deputy Press Secretary, Office of Public Affairs
Chad Smith was most recently a researcher in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. He served as deputy research director on President Biden’s campaign and researcher in the Biden-Harris Transition Team’s Office of General Counsel. Prior to joining the campaign, he was a researcher and editor at American Bridge 21st Century. A native of Port Orange, Florida, Smith started his career as a reporter at newspapers in his home state. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Florida.
Kathy Zheng, Special Assistant, Office of Public Affairs
Kathy Zheng most recently worked as an Influencer Marketing Executive at BEN Group. Previously, she worked on the Biden-Harris campaign as a Paid Media Associate and NBCUniversal as a Communications Intern. She holds a B.A. in Media and Cultural Studies from the University of California, Riverside and an M.A. in Strategic Public Relations from the University of Southern California.
