Michelle Linnett Scott
Bowie,United States
Summary
Goal-driven professional focused on project management and strategic planning. Solid track record of success with 25 years in nuclear energy policy and research and development managing multiple priorities and projects. Top notch negotiator and relationship builder.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Nuclear Infrastructure Expert
International Atomic Energy Agency
12.2021 - 03.2024
- Led for the IAEA’s Nuclear Harmonization and Standardization Initiative (NHSI)-Industry Track’s Topic Group 4 on Infrastructure
- NHSI is a Director General initiative focused on facilitating faster and full deployment of Small Modular Reactors
- Worked with the nuclear industry to develop a technical document on potential areas of accelerated infrastructure development
- As Country Technical Officer, coordinated the Agency’s infrastructure activities to support Kenya and Zambia’s development of their nuclear power programs
- Specifically for Kenya, planned and executed the annual Integrated Work Plan (IWP ) meetings to set the country’s development priorities
- Planned and executed four consultancy meetings successfully
- The meetings brought together a diverse group of experts, including participants from NHSI, subject matter experts, and internal IAEA experts
- The main objective of the meetings was to address infrastructure issues from the industry's perspective
- The core group of experts collaborated extensively and discussed in-depth to develop an initial draft of the Technical Document on specific infrastructure issues such as regulatory, financing, and human development
- The final TECDOC will provide a basis for tracking these suggestions and recommendations and has the potential to inform the next revision of the 'Milestones Document'
- Developed and executed two workshops to support SMR deployment infrastructure
- The first workshop was organized for Poland as per the request of the government of Poland to develop a workshop for SMR owners and operators in the country
- The objective of this workshop was to provide a better understanding of infrastructure requirements to develop power to new entrants in the nuclear power field
- The second workshop provided a forum to discuss policy considerations to develop SMRs
- The targeted Member States ranged from countries newly interested in SMRs to countries currently building nuclear power plants
- Planned and executed a successful IAEA Technical Meeting, which engaged 27 member states and approximately 37 participants
- The objective of the meeting was to introduce the draft TECDOC on Accelerated Deployment SMRs and MRs and receive feedback from all meeting participants
- The feedback collected from member states would help us realign the TECDOC if necessary
- The meeting served as a productive platform to discuss the industry's perspective on infrastructure development, including lessons learned from specific infrastructure issues addressed in the publication
- It also allowed member states to raise areas that were not discussed in the draft publication
- Moreover, I served as the Scientific Secretariat and Co-Chairwoman of the meeting
- Major Accomplishments: Developed the course content for the first infrastructure development workshop under INT 2023 for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
- This course structure will serve as the basis for future workshops to be hosted by the United States and Russia
- Executed the first national workshop on infrastructure development in Poland, which was aimed at Owners/Operators interested in deploying SMRs in Poland
- Six prospective companies participated, and they gained a better understanding of the infrastructure needed to host an SMR
- All the companies in attendance were new to nuclear power
- Led the planning, development and execution of the Zambia Nuclear Roadmap Workshop, which aimed to assist Zambia in realigning the country's aggressive nuclear development timeline to a more realistic one that accounted for the current staff and resources available
- Led the development of a technical document on accelerating infrastructure to support faster deployment of SMRs.
Senior Advisor and DOE/NE Lead on Engagement with the IAEA
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
05.2017 - 12.2021
- Worked with all sectors of the U.S
- Nuclear supply chain, including current nuclear technology suppliers, advanced reactor developers, trade associations, non-governmental organizations, and academia
- Maintained and expanded a network of industry relationships that spanned the nuclear supply chain
- Served as Chair of the U.S
- Government's interagency civil nuclear energy working group, which addressed country-specific and regional nuclear and nuclear-related issues such as infrastructure support to embarking and expanding countries through a whole-of-government assistance framework
- Facilitated briefings by U.S
- Nuclear companies to the U.S
- Government's interagency civil nuclear energy working group on reactor technology, design, equipment, or services that supported nuclear power deployment
- I also coordinated with U.S
- Embassy personnel worldwide to monitor political and industry developments in U.S
- Partner countries on nuclear energy and in embarking countries
- Performed as the liaison officer and senior interlocutor between DOE/NE and the U.S
- Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ITA) to support U.S
- Commercial advocacy efforts
- Additionally, I designed, developed and executed international meetings, roundtables, and workshops on nuclear energy matters
- Developed nuclear energy training materials for U.S
- Government staff to broaden their knowledge of domestic and international civil nuclear energy issues to include the full breadth of U.S
- Companies involved in the nuclear supply chain
- I also represented DOE and DOE/NE on U.S
- Delegations to international bilateral and multilateral meetings covering various aspects of nuclear energy cooperation
- Conducted briefings to the technical staff of the U.S
- Congress and other external stakeholder groups on global nuclear power development and deployment
- I also managed the Office of Nuclear Energy's funding allocations to the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Peaceful Uses Initiative (PUI) and provided oversight over the portfolio of actively funded PUI projects at the IAEA
- Engaged with the IAEA's Departments of Nuclear Energy and Technical Cooperation on the planning for U.S
- Funded or hosted meetings, workshops, and training opportunities in infrastructure, knowledge management, and economics
- I drafted and delivered presentations and remarks at various IAEA technical meetings, including membership in the Technical Working Group on Nuclear Power Infrastructure
- Worked with National Nuclear Security Administration and Nuclear Regulatory Commission officials on related to 10 CFR Part 810 and Part 110 for export licensing with broader US Government policy implications
- Major Accomplishments: Led the development of nuclear energy training materials for U.S
- Government staff to broaden their knowledge of domestic and international civil nuclear energy issues to include the full breadth of U.S
- Companies involved in the nuclear supply chain
- Represented DOE/NE as part of the US Department of State delegation to Romania, Poland, Japan, Korea, France and the United Kingdom to discuss the new US China Policy and biltateral cooperation
- Represented DOE/NE and presented NE’s input into the development of the U.S
- Policy Framework on Civil Nuclear Cooperation with China issued in 2018
- Additionally, actively participated in interagency team that socialized the new policy with US industry counterparts
- Co-organized with the Department of Commerce the first US-Saudi Arabia Nuclear Energy Roundtable in 2017.
Director
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
05.2017 - 12.2021
- Supervised a staff of eleven country desk officers and senior technical advisors in DOE/NE's Office of International Nuclear Energy Policy Cooperation, ensuring the effective execution of U.S
- Nuclear energy policies and objectives
- Meticulously reviewed and approved analyses, decision and briefing memoranda, and issued papers on a wide range of nuclear energy, nuclear safety, and nonproliferation and nuclear security issues prepared by the staff
- Provided crucial oversight and guidance in staff preparations for international nuclear workshops, meetings, and conferences, ensuring their successful outcomes
- Reviewed and approved agenda, participants, logistics, and general ground rules for productive, outcome-driven events
- Oversaw the implementation of bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements focused on nuclear energy research and development and infrastructure development
- Engaged with nuclear partner countries to continue ongoing nuclear research and development cooperation and established new areas of technical cooperation
- Managed DOE/NE's agreements' process from development to implementation of bilateral cooperation mechanisms with embarking countries that aided them in human resource development, regulatory support, and feasibility assessments
- Managed the implementation of bilateral cooperation mechanisms with advanced nuclear countries in various areas of research and development
- Major Accomplishments: Led DOE/NE nuclear energy policy in Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Middle East, North America, Russia and South America
- Completed key cooperation mechanisms US-Russia Research & Development Action Plan, US-ROK Joint Feasibility Study, US-Czech Republic for Civil Nuclear Energy, and the US-Chile Civil Nuclear Energy Memorandum of Understanding
- Serve as a member of the multinational Generation IV International Forum (GIF) Secretariat
- Manage on-going policy issues working with other Policy Group members countries officials on consensus on the future direction
- The R&D for the six advanced reactors systems
- Represent DOE as the nuclear energy expert on US delegations to foreign governments
- I.e., Chile to discuss Chile’s intent to pursue nuclear, and Seoul, Korea for the 3rd Consultations on the negotiations for the new US-ROK 123 Agreement
- Managed the overall meeting preparations for the multinational International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation’s (IFNEC) Executive Ministerial (November 2010) and the recent Steering Group meeting held in Korea (May 2011).
Foreign Affairs Officer
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
01.2014 - 05.2017
- Served as a Foreign Affairs Officer to both the Deputy Assistant Secretary and the Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for DOE/NE's Office of International Nuclear Energy Policy Cooperation to support the advancement of U.S Nuclear research development and deployment efforts (RD&D)
- Coordinated with and supported the work of DOE/NE's Nuclear Energy Advisory Committee's (NEAC) International subcommittee on tasks focused on nuclear power deployment globally
- Monitored and analyzed global commercial nuclear activities, particularly regarding international commercial finance structures, with an emphasis on technology options and other geo-political activities that may have an impact on global nuclear commerce
- Major Accomplishments: Developed the first-of-a-kind Civil Nuclear Energy “Nuclear 101” training course endorsed by the National Security Council for USG employees in 2016
- Led the Office of Nuclear Energy’s initiative to ensure nuclear energy presence during the Conference of Parties (COP21) meetings in 2015, which included a Secretary of Energy hosted nuclear roundtable of U.S
- Technology leaders.
Senior Policy Advisor
U.S. Department of Commerce/International Trade Administration
01.2013 - 12.2013
- Worked on several nuclear commerce issues, including advocacy for U.S
- Companies to foreign officials and other stakeholders worldwide
- Supported the White House Director of Nuclear Energy Policy and the U.S
- Government's interagency civil nuclear energy working group's efforts to support the U.S
- Nuclear industry internationally
- Developed a network of industry relationships that spanned the nuclear supply chain
- Coordinated industry and interagency activities to further U.S commercial interests and other issues related to civil nuclear energy, including the development of trade promotion activities to promote U.S
- Organized industry meetings, international workshops, and trade policy missions
- Prepared materials for industry briefings for U.S and foreign stakeholders
- Major Accomplishments: Served as a member of the team that developed the first U.S
- China and Vietnam Trade Mission to promote U.S
- Nuclear technology, capabilities, and services
- 25 U.S
- Companies with 40 participants were part of the trade mission delegation.
Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary of Nuclear Energy
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
10.2009 - 11.2010
- Detailed to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy to serve as Chief of Staff
- Ensured the Office's mission priorities were executed and consistent with the Administration's objectives
- Served as the Advisor for DOE/NE's international activities and coordinated activities with NE International Policy Office
- Ensured that the DOE/NE leadership remained fully abreast of essential actions and events that impacted the Office and the potential implications on the Department's international nuclear energy policy
- Reviewed and approved briefing memoranda and background papers that supported the Assistant Secretary's international meetings and events
- Drafted remarks, talking points, background papers, and briefing documents on a wide variety of office issues
- NE program offices' briefing materials that cover nuclear energy, safety, nonproliferation, and security
- Served as liaison to the DOE Offices of the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Under Secretaries, other DOE program offices, Federal agencies, and external stakeholders
- Major Accomplishments: Organized and managed the entire United Kingdom trip for the Assistant Secretary to visit the Sellafield and their National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL); and developed his talk at the World Nuclear University’s Summer Institute.
Acting Director
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
03.2008 - 10.2009
- Assisted in the management of the daily operations for 11 country desk officers and senior technical advisors' interactions with officials of foreign governments, organizations, and associations
- Led international meetings and conferences in support of the office's nuclear energy programs
- Reviewed and approved analysis prepared by staff that included decision memoranda, issue papers, briefings, and similar materials involving a wide variety of international nuclear energy cooperation policy and program issues
- Provided oversight of staff preparations for international meetings and conferences in support of nuclear energy programs
- Evaluated and recommended agenda, participants, locations, and other conditions to ensure a productive outcome
- Provided oversight in the arrangements to secure the most desirable venues and logistics and conference support
- Oversaw daily activities of staff; planned and prioritized work to be accomplished by the staff; established and modified short-term priorities and maintained schedules for completion of work
- Ensured the organization's strategic plan and office mission were communicated and executed consistent with overall U.S
- Nuclear energy policy
- Advised staff on selecting and applying appropriate problem-solving methods and techniques to implement the Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)’s foreign policy goals and objectives
- Major Accomplishments: Spearheaded the ultimate signing of the U.S.-Republic of South Africa Civil Nuclear Energy R&D Agreement at the 2009 IAEA General Conference
- This agreement took seven years to be concluded.
Program Analyst
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
03.2007 - 03.2008
- Served as a senior staff advisor to the Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) for the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership Program
- Advised on major budget and policy issues associated with the various functions of the program
- Coordinated the development of policies and procedures for human capital and other services to support the program's mission
- Served as the office staff liaison with other Federal agencies and Congressional committee staffs on budget, policy, and program issues
- Represented the ADAS on planning and policy matters both within and outside DOE/NE, provided expert advice and recommendations on program planning and execution issues
- Reviewed and evaluated the level of compliance and progress toward planned objectives and made recommendations regarding significant changes in policy, programmatic direction, and overall management
- Major Accomplishments: Served as Source Evaluation Board Chair for two procurements for the domestic component of GNEP
- Selected the contractor to perform the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) activities for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
- Awarded eleven Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) grants communities interested in developing siting studies for GNEP facilities.
Program Analyst
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
02.2006 - 03.2007
- Detailed to the Office of International Nuclear Energy Policy and Cooperation to support international meetings and conferences to advance DOE/NE programs
- Conducted analysis and prepared issue papers, briefings, and similar materials for presentation by senior management on a variety of international nuclear energy cooperation policy and program issues
- Created agendas, recommended participants, locations, and other conditions and ground rules to ensure a productive event
- Assisted in preparing international meetings and conferences, including the inaugural meeting of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP), the precursor to the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC)
- Led and participated in discussions regarding the policy, funding, and institutional aspects of proposed initiatives between the United States and foreign countries
- Developed issue papers, briefings, and similar materials for presentation by senior management
- Addressed inquiries and questions from the international community, Members of Congress and their representatives, and other stakeholders
- Major Accomplishments: Developed a position paper on U.S
- Assistance to Ghana on their pursuit in developing nuclear energy
- As a result, NE developed and conducted a feasibility study on Ghana infrastructure capabilities to pursue nuclear
- Supported the launching of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP), now renamed IFNEC, and the signing of the Statement of Principles by the founding five countries
- (China, France, Japan, Russia, and the United States)
- Served a lead for the follow-up preparations for the inaugural ministerial meeting held in Vienna, Austria in 2007
- At the conclusion of the meeting eleven additional signed the Statement of Principles and became full Partners
- GNEP) is the precursor to the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC).
Executive Officer
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
01.2003 - 05.2004
- Served as Executive Officer to the Associate Director concerning the overall programmatic and management activities performed on a day-to-day basis
- Analyzed and evaluated procedural operation within the office to ensure the effectiveness of line program operations; and provided oversight of budget formulation and execution activities
- Served as the office liaison with the Office of Congressional Affairs; monitored and interpreted congressional legislation and its impact on the program activities
- Negotiated with senior-level staff on programmatic activities with office-wide implications.
Financial Analyst
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
04.2001 - 01.2002
- Served as Financial Analyst and conducted analysis and evaluations of the Advanced Accelerator Applications (AAA) program acquisition strategy, priorities, and financial management requirements
- Acted with full authority in planning and directing the implementation of the program’s financial management systems, performance analysis, resource management, and program reporting
- Planned and led financial management reviews, which included funds analysis, budget planning, and oversaw the completion of required corrective actions
- Developed spreadsheets that analyzed and consolidated funding and budget data for management’s use as a decision tool
- Served as the point of contact with other program offices in DOE-Hqs, several DOE- Operations Offices and national laboratories to fulfill the AAA program’s mission.
Special Assistant to the Office Director
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
05.2000 - 06.2001
- Served as Special Assistant to the Director to ensure that management priorities were executed
- Provided policy guidance to six Associate Directors and other senior staff to meet the Director’s goals and priorities; and kept abreast of important actions and events that impacted the office
- Conducted analysis and prepared documents on a wide variety of office issues and provided recommendations on appropriate action to be taken
- Developed issue papers and briefing documents for the Director
- Prepared background information for meetings with congressional members and arranged for appropriate NE staff to participate.
Grants Analyst
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
06.1999 - 06.2000
- Analyzed and evaluated university grant applications and other formal requests
- Performed analysis and assessments of participating universities and colleges on their efficiency and effectiveness in achieving DOE/NE's University Program's program goals
- Developed the University Program's performance measures, Program Plan, and the Annual Operating Plan
- Developed multi-year budget estimates based on needs identified by the universities
- Served as a key staff person in the development of the annual budget process
- Represented the office and participated with universities, industry, national laboratories, other concerned federal and international agencies, organizations, and other stakeholders at meetings
- Major Accomplishments: Led the overall coordination and preparations of the inaugural six-week Summer Institute (SI) of the World Nuclear University (WNU)
- 75 mid-career staff from 32 countries participated in SI.
Education
BBA - Finance
Howard University
Washington, DC05.2005
Skills
Budget / Program and Resource Management
Government Affairs / Communications
Public Relations (PR) / Speaking
International Relations / Development
Issue / Conflict Management
Timeline
Senior Nuclear Infrastructure Expert
International Atomic Energy Agency
12.2021 - 03.2024
Senior Advisor and DOE/NE Lead on Engagement with the IAEA
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
05.2017 - 12.2021
Director
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
05.2017 - 12.2021
Foreign Affairs Officer
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
01.2014 - 05.2017
Senior Policy Advisor
U.S. Department of Commerce/International Trade Administration
01.2013 - 12.2013
Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary of Nuclear Energy
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
10.2009 - 11.2010
Acting Director
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
03.2008 - 10.2009
Program Analyst
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
03.2007 - 03.2008
Program Analyst
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
02.2006 - 03.2007
Executive Officer
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
01.2003 - 05.2004
Financial Analyst
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
04.2001 - 01.2002
Special Assistant to the Office Director
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
05.2000 - 06.2001
Grants Analyst
U.S. Department of Energy/Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE/NE)
06.1999 - 06.2000
BBA - Finance
Howard University
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