Anita Vanek is NOAA’s Executive Director for Operations and Finance, providing leadership across the agency’s corporate services and operational functions. She works to strengthen organizational effectiveness, financial stewardship, workforce management, and business operations in support of NOAA’s mission.
Prior to joining NOAA, Anita spent 13 years at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Administrative Officer. In that role, she provided executive leadership across a broad portfolio that included finance, human capital, facilities, security, acquisitions, and enterprise operations, supporting a complex organization with thousands of employees and multiple facilities.
Before entering federal service, Anita’s career focused on process improvement, project management, and manufacturing. She brings this combination of technical, operational, and organizational leadership experience to her work in government, with a focus on building high-performing organizations and ensuring that corporate services effectively support mission needs.
Anita holds a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Bucknell University and a master’s degree in organizational improvement and public leadership from The George Washington University.