Meghan Millwood
A Vision for Leadership
Meghan Millwood (ProMBA, ’11) began her tenure with Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) more than 20 years ago. In her time with the organization, she has charted an incredible path of career growth. After starting as a human resources specialist in 2002, Millwood was named ORAU’s president and CEO in September 2025, becoming the first female to hold the position since the company’s founding in 1946.
Looking to the Future
Taking charge of the 80-year-old institution is no small feat, but Millwood is dedicated to ORAU.
“I deeply believe in ORAU’s mission and the important work we do as a nonprofit,” she says. “I’m also incredibly proud of our employees and their steadfast commitment to delivering exceptional results for our customers.”
The organization’s mission is vast. ORAU unites academia, government, and industry to advance science, education, and health through partnerships with over 160 universities.
“I look forward to working with Meghan as our new CEO,” says Deborah Crawford, ORAU board chair and UT’s vice chancellor for research. “Her tenure with the company and her commitment to building a new future for ORAU makes her the ideal leader to guide the organization into its next phase of growth and innovation. We are confident that under Meghan’s leadership, ORAU will deliver long-term value for its federal and state government partners, university consortium members, employees, and for the communities across our great nation where we do business.”
As CEO, Millwood’s priorities are strengthening the company’s culture, empowering employees, and aligning organizational capabilities with customer and national needs.
To meet these goals, Millwood plans to maintain a culture of adaptation.
“Over the years, we have consistently evolved to address critical national needs,” she says. “Our focus will remain on strengthening the nation’s workforce by developing scientific and technical talent, providing expertise where it’s needed most, and supporting the health, safety, and resilience of communities.”
Prepared Through Haslam’s ProMBA
Becoming CEO of such a large entity requires business acumen and thorough preparation. Millwood honed her executive leadership skills through Haslam’s Professional MBA (ProMBA) program.
“ProMBA was instrumental in shaping my leadership approach,” says Millwood. “It challenged me to think about what it means to be a true leader. It’s about building relationships, earning trust, and creating an environment where people can thrive.”
Millwood graduated from the program in 2011, but what she learned stays with her.
“The focus on curiosity, learning, and collaboration has shaped how I approach decisions and how I work with our team,” she says. “It’s helped me understand that leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about listening, learning, and growing together to move the organization forward.”
According to Amy Cathey, Haslam’s associate dean for graduate and executive education, Millwood embodies the drive and strategic mindset that define Haslam’s graduate and executive students.
“Meghan’s ability to translate her learning from the Professional MBA program into meaningful results will serve her well in this important leadership role,” says Cathey.
Milestone Moment
Reflecting on her two decades with ORAU, Millwood focuses on what her time with the organization has afforded her in professional and personal growth.
“My different roles within the organization have given me the opportunity to try new approaches, learn from mistakes, and keep moving forward,” she believes. “I’ve learned that success isn’t just about being smart or forward-thinking, it’s about being resilient. For me, that means recognizing challenges, facing them directly, and working together to overcome obstacles and find new opportunities.” That attitude of resilience is clear in her vision for the nonprofit.
“We are at a pivotal time of change and new ways of doing business,” Millwood explains. “I am excited to lead us into a new era of even greater efficiency and mission focus.”
As she continues in her first year as CEO, Millwood describes becoming ORAU’s leader as the ultimate opportunity and a humbling challenge.
“Stepping into the role of CEO is an incredible responsibility, and as the first female CEO of ORAU, it’s a milestone I don’t take lightly,” she affirms. “My goal is to bring my unique perspective, skills, and experiences to lead authentically, empower others, and tackle both challenges and opportunities. I hope to not only drive ORAU’s success today but also help build a legacy of positive impact for our customers and the community in the years to come.”
