Welcoming new Governing Board members

The Governing Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is delighted to welcome new members Virginia Berkeley and Melissa Harris, effective immediately.

Berkeley served as Executive Vice President of CoBiz Bank from 2009-2012 after performing numerous other leadership roles at the organization. She previously served as Senior Vice President and Manager of Business Banking of Bank One, Denver and held several positions with Colorado National Bank. Berkeley’s extensive community involvement includes work with numerous Boards of Trustees, most recently with Colorado Public Radio, where she served as board chair, and the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. Berkeley holds a B.S. degree in economics from Purdue University and an M.B.A. from the University of Oklahoma.

“Virginia Berkeley, who has served on the Bulletin Governance Committee for over a year, has already provided invaluable insight to the organization,” said John Balkcom, chair of the Governing Board. “Her undeniable financial expertise has helped the Bulletin to thrive during the challenging situation faced by many small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re delighted to welcome her as a full Governing Board member.”

Harris began her career as a journalist, capping 15 years in media as a business columnist for the Chicago Tribune. After earning her MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, she left the world of private equity to start her own company. Since then, M. Harris & Co. has become one of the fastest-growing marketing firms in the Midwest. With M. Harris & Co., Harris was part of the 2018 Clio Award-winning team behind the Cards Against Humanity Saves America campaign. She holds a master’s degree in government from John Hopkins University and journalism degree from Northwestern University. Harris serves as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago.

“Having experienced firsthand the depth of Melissa Harris’s marketing and publishing expertise through our work with Harris & Co. in 2019, we couldn’t be more thrilled to have her join the Governing Board,” said Bulletin president & CEO Rachel Bronson. “Her presence ensures the Bulletin will maintain an innovative approach in this changing media landscape and will continue to operate as a leading voice on the critical topics we cover.”

The Bulletin’s Governing Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organization and for ensuring the organization operates in a legal, ethical and professional manner.