Dawn Zimmer
Golden Gov: Federal Executive of the Year
Dawn Zimmer became the Department of Energy’s CIO in November 2025. She leads enterprise IT and cybersecurity, working to keep systems secure and effective while aligning modernization with the department’s energy, science and national security missions. Zimmer has more than 25 years of experience across government, academia and the private sector. Before joining Energy, she led IT engagement and experience at Virginia Tech; earlier federal roles included technology leadership at the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Justice. That background in service delivery and cybersecurity informs her work improving the technology used across a department with highly varied programs and facilities.
