CDC Leadership

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention logo
Immediate Office of the Director
Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH

CDC DIRECTOR

Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH

Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, is the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Nirav D. Shah, MD, JD

PRINCIPAL DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Nirav D. Shah, MD, JD

Nirav D. Shah, MD, JD, serves as the Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. CDC. In this role, he is involved with CDC’s work around data modernization, public health preparedness and response, laboratories, and communications.

Debra Houry, MD, MPH

Deputy Director for Program and Science/Chief Medical OfficeR

Debra Houry, MD, MPH

Debra Houry, MD, MPH, is the Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Director for Program and Science at CDC. In this role, she is responsible for establishing, strengthening, and maintaining collaboration and coordination across CDC’s national centers including infectious diseases, chronic disease, environmental health, injury prevention, and public health infrastructure. Dr. Houry is also the Designated Federal Officer for the Advisory Committee to the CDC Director, working directly with private and public sector constituents to prioritize CDC’s activities and address key areas including data modernization and health disparities.

Sherri A. Berger, MSPH

DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR POLICY, COMMUNICATIONS, AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS/CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER (ACTING)

Sherri A. Berger, MSPH

Sherri A. Berger, MSPH, is acting Deputy Director for Policy, Communications, and Legislative Affairs. Berger served as the CDC Chief of Staff from 2021-2023. In this role, she was the principal advisor to the CDC Director, providing strategic advice and ensuring proactive coordination of agency-wide priorities and policies in direct support of CDC’s public health mission. Berger convened leadership for resolution of issues and initiatives affecting CDC’s priorities and goals, provided strategic leadership in resolving cross-organizational issues, and served as one of the Director’s primary liaisons with staff, partners, and other federal agencies.

Howard Zucker, MD, JD

DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR GLOBAL HEALTH

Howard Zucker, MD, JD

Howard Zucker, MD, JD, is the Deputy Director for Global Health, a position he assumed in January 2023. In this role, he has broad operating authority and responsibility for overall planning, direction, and management of global strategy and programs across CDC.

Robin D. Bailey Jr., MA

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Robin D. Bailey Jr., MA

Robin D. Bailey Jr., MA, is the Chief Operating Officer of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of 10 major operating divisions of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In this role, he oversees management, facilities, and operations at the Atlanta-based public health agency.

Kate Wollf, MPA

CHIEF OF STAFF

Kate Wolff, MPA

Kate Wolff, MPA, is CDC’s Chief of Staff. Wolff has more than 16 years of experience both inside and outside of government, creating positive organizational outcomes though strong collaboration, effective problem-solving, and crisis management. Wolff first joined the federal government at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 2009, working in a variety of roles in the HHS Secretary’s office, including director of scheduling and advance, before joining the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to help manage the response to the 2014 influx of unaccompanied children, and the first chief of staff for the Office of Refugee Resettlement in 2015.

CDC Centers and Institute (listed below alphabetically)
Dylan George, PhD

DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR FORECASTING AND OUTBREAK ANALYTICS

Dylan George, PhD

Dylan George, PhD, is the Director for the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics (CFA) at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CFA is building world class data and analytics capabilities to guide interventions in public health emergencies and pandemics.

Denise Cardo, MD

DIRECTOR, GLOBAL HEALTH CENTER (ACTING)

Denise Cardo, MD

Denise Cardo, MD, is the Acting Director for the Global Health Center (GHC) where she leads CDC’s global efforts to protect and improve health through science, policy, partnership, and evidence-based public health action. Dr. Cardo’s permanent role is as the director of the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP) in CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID).

Karen Remley, MD, MBA, MPH, FAAP

DIRECTOR, NATIONAL CENTER ON BIRTH DEFECTS AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Karen Remley, MD, MBA, MPH, FAAP

Karen Remley, MD, MBA, MPH, FAAP, is the Director for the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD). She has more than 30 years of experience in public health and health care, with leadership roles in the public and private sectors. Her “north star” has always been children and families, and she has shaped her career around helping every family have the best opportunity for health and well-being.

Karen Hacker, MD, MPH

DIRECTOR, NATIONAL CENTER FOR CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION

Karen Hacker, MD, MPH

Karen Hacker, MD, MPH, is the Director of CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), a position she assumed in August 2019. NCCDPHP has an annual budget of about $1.2 billion and more than 1,000 staff members dedicated to preventing chronic diseases and promoting health across the life span.

Daniel Jernigan, MD, MPH (CAPT, USPHS, RET)

DIRECTOR, NATIONAL CENTER FOR EMERGING AND ZOONOTIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Daniel Jernigan, MD, MPH (CAPT, USPHS, RET)
Daniel B. Jernigan, MD, MPH, is the Director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID). In this role, he oversees CDC’s work on foodborne, waterborne, fungal, vector-borne, highly pathogenic (e.g., Ebola), and healthcare-associated infectious diseases.
Robin M. Ikeda, MD, MPH

DIRECTOR, NATIONAL CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH/AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE REGISTRY (ACTING)

Robin M. Ikeda, MD, MPH (RADM, USPHS, RET)

Robin M. Ikeda, MD, MPH, is the Acting Director for the National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. As part of this role, Dr. Ikeda leads CDC’s efforts to investigate the relationship between environmental factors and health. She is also the Associate Director for Policy and Strategy at CDC where she supports the policy, performance, and strategy across CDC.

Brian C. Moyer, PhD

DIRECTOR, NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS

Brian C. Moyer, PhD

Brian C. Moyer, PhD, is the Director for the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), which is the nation’s principal source for health statistical information to guide actions and policies to improve the health of people. In this role, he is responsible for providing leadership for a wide-range of programs, including research and analysis in health and vital statistics, epidemiology, and related health and statistical sciences.

Jonathan Mermin, MD, MPH (RADM, USPHS)

DIRECTOR, NATIONAL CENTER FOR HIV, VIRAL HEPATITIS, STD AND TB PREVENTION

Jonathan Mermin, MD, MPH (RADM, USPHS)

Jonathan Mermin, MD, MPH, is the Director of the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), and a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service. He leads the nation’s efforts to prevent HIV, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases, and tuberculosis.

José R. Romero

DIRECTOR, NATIONAL CENTER FOR IMMUNIZATION AND RESPIRATORY DISEASES

José R. Romero, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS, FAAAS

José R. Romero, MD, is the Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, where he leads CDC’s efforts to detect, prevent, and respond to vaccine-preventable and respiratory infectious disease threats.

Christopher Jones, PharmD, DrPH, MPH (CAPT, USPHS)

DIRECTOR, NATIONAL CENTER FOR INJURY PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Christopher Jones, PharmD, DrPH, MPH (CAPT, USPHS)

Christopher M. Jones, PharmD, DrPH, MPH (CAPT U.S. Public Health Service), is the Director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Prior to becoming the Director of NCIPC, Dr. Jones served as Deputy Director of NCIPC. In this role, he served as the primary scientific advisor to the NCIPC Director and other senior staff on science issues in public health, clinical care implementation, epidemiology, biostatistics, economics, and behavioral science.

Leslie Ann Dauphin, PhD

DIRECTOR, NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE, TRIBAL, LOCAL, AND TERRITORIAL PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE AND WORKFORCE

Leslie Ann Dauphin, PhD

Leslie Ann Dauphin, PhD, is the Director of the National Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

John Howard, MD, MPH, JD, LLM, MBA

DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

John Howard, MD, MPH, JD, LLM, MBA

John Howard, MD, MPH, JD, LLM, MBA, serves as the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Administrator of the World Trade Center Health Program in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C.

CDC Offices (listed below alphabetically)
Jeff Reczek, MPA

DIRECTOR, CDC WASHINGTON OFFICE

Jeff Reczek, MPA

Jeff Reczek, MPA is the Director of the CDC Washington Office. He has a rich history of public service in the legislative and executive branches of the federal government as well as state government.

Kevin Griffis

DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

Kevin Griffis

Kevin Griffis is the Director of the Office of Communications (OC) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In this position, he leads and directs comprehensive communication outreach and delivery of CDC’s health information and mission priorities along with managing risk communication and reputational issues for the agency.

Robin D. Bailey Jr., MA

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Robin D. Bailey Jr., MA

Robin D. Bailey Jr., MA, is the Chief Operating Officer of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of 10 major operating divisions of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In this role, he oversees management, facilities, and operations at the Atlanta-based public health agency.

Kate Wollf, MPA

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF

Kate Wolff, MPA

Kate Wolff, MPA, is CDC’s Chief of Staff. Wolff has more than 16 years of experience both inside and outside of government, creating positive organizational outcomes though strong collaboration, effective problem-solving, and crisis management. Wolff first joined the federal government at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 2009, working in a variety of roles in the HHS Secretary’s office, including director of scheduling and advance, before joining the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to help manage the response to the 2014 influx of unaccompanied children, and the first chief of staff for the Office of Refugee Resettlement in 2015.

Reginald R. Mebane, MS

DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND WORKPLACE EQUITY

Reginald R. Mebane, MS

Reginald R. Mebane, MS, is currently the Director of CDC’s Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Workplace Equity (OEEOWE). As Director, Mr. Mebane is responsible for advising and counseling CDC′s executive leadership team on a variety of equal employment opportunity, diversity management, civil rights and human resources issues impacting the agency′s complex and diverse global workforce.

Leandris Liburd, PhD, MPH, MA

DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF HEALTH EQUITY (ACTING)

Leandris Liburd, PhD, MPH, MA

Leandris Liburd, PhD, MPH, MA, is the Acting Director for CDC’s Office of Health Equity (OHE).  She served as the Associate Director for Minority Health and Health Equity for CDC/ATSDR since 2011.  In this capacity, she leads and supports a wide range of critical functions in the agency’s work in minority health, health equity, and women’s health.

Jim Pirkle, MD, PhD

DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF LABORATORY SCIENCE AND SAFETY

Jim Pirkle, MD, PhD

Jim Pirkle, MD, PhD, serves as the Associate Director for Laboratory Science and Safety (ADLSS) and Director of the Office of Laboratory Science and Safety (OLSS) at CDC. In these capacities, Dr. Pirkle provides high-level oversight and coordination of critical laboratory science policies and operations, and laboratory safety and quality management at CDC.

Laurie Ishak, JD, MA

DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF POLICY, PERFORMANCE, AND EVALUATION (ACTING)

Laurie Ishak, JD, MA

Laurie Ishak, JD, MA is the Acting Director for the Office of Policy, Performance, and Evaluation (OPPE).  Laurie previously served as the Deputy Director, Office of the Associate Director for Policy and Strategy from October 2019 to December 2022.

Jennifer Layden, MD, PhD

DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH DATA, SURVEILLANCE, AND TECHNOLOGY (ACTING)

Jennifer Layden, MD, PhD

Jennifer Layden, MD, PhD is the Acting Director for the Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology. In this position, she is responsible for leading, coordinating, and executing a comprehensive public health data strategy and improving the availability and use of public health data to inform decision-making and action. A primary focus of Dr. Layden’s role is to provide leadership for CDC’s Data Modernization Initiative and serve as an advisor to the CDC Director.

Henry Walke, MD, MPH

DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF READINESS AND RESPONSE

Henry Walke, MD, MPH

Henry Walke, MD, MPH, is the Director of the Office of Readiness and Response (ORR). In this role, he supports ORR’s three divisions and the Office of the Director to prepare for, respond to, and improve performance in domestic and global public health emergencies.

Rebecca Bunnell, PhD, MEd

DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF SCIENCE

Rebecca Bunnell, PhD, MEd

Rebecca Bunnell, PhD, MEd, is the Director of CDC’s Office of Science. Since joining CDC in 1996 as an EIS Officer in the Division of STD Prevention, Dr. Bunnell has held key CDC positions in Atlanta, California, Uganda, and Kenya.