M.A. in Professional writing — Carnegie Mellon University
B.A. History — Washington University in St. Louis
Leah Kauffman is a Senior Advisor for Communications and Engagement for the Partnerships and Outreach Division at National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Office of Advanced Manufacturing (OAM), which also serves as the Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office for Manufacturing USA. Leah received a B.A. in History from Washington University in St. Louis and an M.A. in Professional Writing from Carnegie Mellon University
With over two decades of experience at the intersection of science, government, and industry, Leah specializes in the strategic design and launch of complex organizations. She has had the honor of standing up high-stakes federal initiatives, most notably building out the communication and engagement frameworks for both the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) and CHIPS for America.
Leah combines technical fluency and change management to communicate policy as well as design the systems that drive its adoption. This includes founding two landmark Special Publication series (the 1200 and 1800 series) that bridge the gap between abstract standards and practical, scalable implementation. Her goal is to ensure that our nation's science and technology advances are accessible, replicable, and strategically positioned for maximum U.S. competitiveness.
At OAM, Leah is responsible for leading strategic outreach and communications to build and sustain U.S. technological leadership.