Samantha (Pitts-Kiefer) Neakrase

With almost 15 years of experience in the field of nuclear policy and international relations, Samantha (Pitts-Kiefer) Neakrase is director of Nuclear Policy and Government Engagement at Oklo, Inc., focused on advancing policy strategy and external engagement for Oklo’s next-generation nuclear technology, working across government, industry, and other stakeholder communities.

Nealrase was previously senior director at the Nuclear Threat Initiative, where I led projects that focus on over-the-horizon thinking about reducing nuclear threats and strengthening the global nuclear security architecture. She recently spent three years at the Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN). As a Senior Advisor to the Deputy Administrator, her work advanced U.S. national security by reducing nuclear threats and promoting peaceful uses of nuclear technology to combat climate change and help countries achieve their sustainable development goals.

At NNSA, Neakrase was involved in several key initiatives and projects related to nuclear safeguards, nuclear security, civil nuclear energy cooperation, and international institutions and instruments that aim to enhance the global nuclear security and nonproliferation regimes and support the safe, secure, and responsible expansion of peaceful nuclear technology. She led U.S. interagency coordination for the IAEA General Conference and led DOE planning for the IAEA International Conference on Nuclear Security and have developed strong networks and a deep understanding of how to navigate interagency and DOE processes. Through these efforts, Neakrase leveraged her skills in policy analysis, law, and communication, as well as her knowledge of nuclear security and nonproliferation and their nexus to nuclear energy and climate change.

At NTI, Neakrase led complex, multistakeholder projects like the NTI Nuclear Security Index. She built and led what is today the Global Nuclear Policy Program, hiring new staff, developing and executing new projects, and creating NTI's first-ever congressional outreach program from the ground up.

Neakrase values collaboration, innovation, and inclusiveness, and strives to bring these principles to her work with various stakeholders, partners, and counterparts.