Elizabeth Nolan Named CEO of Optica

11 October 2024

Elizabeth Nolan Named CEO of Optica

Nolan brings forward-looking leadership and more than a decade of strategic expertise to new role at society focused on optics and photonics

WASHINGTON - Optica's Board of Directors announced today that Elizabeth Nolan will become its new Chief Executive Officer, overseeing the organization's growth strategy, future direction and myriad programs and services.

With a robust background in publishing, sales, marketing, strategy and leadership, Nolan brings over 25 years of experience in developing innovative programming and growing the presence of organizations in the scientific, medical and technology space. Prior to becoming Optica's Interim CEO earlier this year, Nolan served as the organization's Deputy Executive Director and Chief Publishing Officer for over a decade. In this role, she oversaw all facets of Optica's strategy, international program development, centralized marketing and publishing efforts.

"As a global organization, Optica always strives to be at the forefront of new and innovative ways to advance and better meet the needs of the optics and photonics community," said Gerd Leuchs, Optica 2024 President. "Elizabeth's forward-looking leadership and expertise in working with both non-profit and commercial organizations position her perfectly to lead Optica and help us continue to grow and thrive."

As Optica's previous head of publishing, Nolan was responsible for all aspects of the Society's growing portfolio of 19 subscription-based and Open Access titles as well as its award-winning membership magazine. She also championed the development and implementation of the Society's organization-wide strategic planning process in 2016 and has managed it since then, co-led the organization's brand and name change in 2021, and directed the launch of its revamped publishing and peer review platforms, six new journals, as well as several new services and technology-based solutions.

"I am extremely honored and excited to take on this new leadership role at Optica, and I am grateful for the trust that the Board of Directors has placed in me," said Elizabeth Nolan, Optica's CEO. "It is a privilege to lead such a pioneering and global organization at a time when science and innovation are more critical than ever. Together, with our exceptional volunteers, partners and staff, we will continue to push boundaries to fulfill the Society's mission of advancing the science of light to enable applications worldwide."

Prior to joining Optica, Nolan was Senior Vice President, Global Sales, Marketing and Strategy at SPi Global, where she directed the efforts of different teams and developed a host of new and innovative services for Scientific, Medical and Technical publishers. Prior to that, Nolan held senior level positions at Thompson Publishing Group, and The Worldwatch Institute and spent her early years working in the publishing industry at Wolters Kluwer (known as Lippincott Williams & Wilkins at the time).

About Optica

Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, is the society dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving and dissemination of knowledge in the field. Founded in 1916, it is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students and others interested in the science of light. Optica's renowned publications, meetings, online resources and in-person activities fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate scientific, technical and educational achievement. Discover more at: Optica.org

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