Strategic planning at Beckman
The Beckman Institute is spending 2025 creating a new strategic plan. We're working with Stephen Kemp from the university's Strategic Project Management Office, to tackle the question:
"What grand challenges will we conquer together to position Beckman Institute as a global hub for innovation in the next 5 years?"

About the strategic planning process
We want every member of the Beckman community to have a voice as we go through strategic planning. We hosted focus groups and shared a survey. We asked for nominations for members of our team who will participate in six workshops between now and the end of 2025.
Strategic planning will come with some changes around Beckman, which is always challenging. If you're feeling nervous about the change, please contact one of the strategic planning team members (find the full list below) or the Beckman leadership team.
An introduction from our facilitator, Stephen Kemp
An overview of the entire planning process
The Beckman Strategic Planning Team
These invididuals are representing the Beckman community through a series of six workshops during 2025. Please share your opinions with them, so they know how community members think and feel!
- Andréa Aguiar
- Aleksei Aksimentiev
- Marianne Alleyne
- Mark Anastasio
- Aaron Anderson
- Ben Auerbach
- Diane Beck
- Marni Boppart
- Yun-Sheng Chen
- Ying Diao
- Iwona Dobrucka
- Caterina Gratton
- Michelle Griffen
- Howard Gritton
- Erik Hege
- Nick Jackson
- T Josek
- Mariana Kersh
- Lexie Kesler
- Pranav Krishnan
- Monika Kumari
- Dan Llano
- Rita Miller
- Michael Oelze
- Tyler Price
- Sepideh Sadaghiani
- Adam Steel
- Zane Thornburg
- Cate Wallace
- Josh Whitson
Contact Beckman's leadership team

Steve Maren Director, Professor smaren@illinois.edu

Cristina Alvarez Mingote Associate Director for Research alvarez9@illinois.edu

Shawna Graddy Associate Director for Administration sgraddy@illinois.edu

Meg Dickinson Executive Director of Communications megd@illinois.edu

Stacy Olson Administrative Assistant srolson@illinois.edu