Andrea Watson Named Associate Director for Innovation, Partnering, and Outreach at NREL
Andrea Watson has been selected to serve as the next associate laboratory director (ALD) for the Innovation, Partnering, and Outreach (IPO) directorate at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) after directing NREL’s Strategic Partnerships Office (SPO) for the past two years.
Watson joined NREL in 2009 as a junior researcher, and in the 15 years since, she has established a reputation for fostering collaboration, teamwork, and strategic approaches to expanding NREL’s impact in renewable energy futures.
NREL Director Martin Keller commended Watson’s selection, stating, “We are fortunate to have someone as qualified as Andrea to further the success of the IPO directorate. Andrea has demonstrated skill in securing partnerships to advance NREL technologies and programs, and the Leadership Team congratulates her on this deserved position.”
As the inaugural director of the newly created SPO in 2022, Watson focused on broadening NREL’s network of partners and strengthening relationships across the globe, which resulted in a record $143 million in partnerships during Fiscal Year 2023. She also played a key role in launching Impact26, NREL’s strategic approach to increasing non-DOE funding. Following its rollout in December 2023, NREL successfully closed $170 million in new partnership agreements and modifications in FY 2024, exceeding its target of $153 million.
Prior to her leadership of the SPO, Watson served as NREL’s laboratory program manager for strategy, where she developed the organization’s first strategic agenda, in addition to her roles as a group manager and researcher.
In her new position, Watson will remain dedicated to advancing Impact26 while strengthening partnerships and expanding NREL’s outreach efforts.
“I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to serve on the NREL leadership team as the IPO ALD,” Watson said. “I am so excited about the impact IPO can have through partnerships, enabling startups, and tech transfer and licensing.”
Watson is replacing Bill Farris as associate laboratory director as he transitions to his new role as chief external development officer at NREL.
“Andrea was a natural choice for this role,” Farris said. “Her close familiarity with lab strategy, research agendas, and NREL’s partnership portfolio, in addition to her track record of leading high-performing teams, have made her a strong asset to IPO and the lab.”