DOE CIO Dawn Zimmer Wins 2026 Wash100 Award for Advancing AI Strategy, Cybersecurity & Enterprise IT Modernization
Executive Mosaic is honored to announce Dawn Zimmer, chief information officer of the Department of Energy, as a 2026 Wash100 Award recipient in recognition of her leadership in advancing enterprise IT modernization, strengthening cybersecurity governance and enabling secure artificial intelligence adoption across DOE’s mission landscape.
This marks Zimmer’s first Wash100 Award, highlighting her growing influence in shaping the technology backbone that supports national energy security, scientific discovery and critical infrastructure resilience.
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Why Is Dawn Zimmer Winning the 2026 Wash100 Award?
Zimmer is earning her inaugural Wash100 recognition for providing steady, strategic leadership during a pivotal period for the Department of Energy — one defined by AI acceleration, cybersecurity reinforcement and enterprise-wide IT modernization.
“CIO Zimmer’s first Wash100 Award is an exciting and well-deserved recognition of the leadership and energy she brings to the Department of Energy. From day one, Dawn has stood out for her work providing essential technological services to critical federal agencies in dynamic work environments,” said Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic and founder of the Wash100 Award.
“CIO Zimmer has demonstrated a collaborative spirit and delivering meaningful mission results during her long federal career. She combines strategic insight with a genuine focus on people and progress. This inaugural Wash100 honor not only celebrates the impact CIO Zimmer has already made, but also reflects the strong confidence in the continued influence she will have across federal energy and contracting initiatives,” added Garrettson.
What Is the DOE Office of the CIO?
The Department of Energy’s Office of the Chief Information Officer enables DOE’s missions in energy, science and nuclear security through the power of information and technology, balancing risk with mission outcomes.
The office leads enterprise IT modernization efforts and is responsible for the cybersecurity of DOE systems and data across all elements of the DOE enterprise. It oversees key programs including IT modernization, cybersecurity coordination, enterprise data management, privacy and records management, helping ensure secure, compliant and effective use of technology across the department.
DOE’s Artificial Intelligence & Genesis Mission Initiatives
Zimmer’s leadership comes at a transformative moment for DOE as the department accelerates AI adoption and high-performance computing initiatives.
DOE released its AI Strategy and Compliance Plan and published a department-wide AI Use Case Inventory cataloging applications across program offices and national laboratories. The department is also advancing the Genesis Mission, a national initiative designed to harness AI to accelerate scientific discovery and strengthen U.S. leadership in research and innovation.
Building on that foundation, DOE announced a $320 million investment to advance Genesis Mission AI capabilities, issued a request for information on Genesis Mission technical challenges and AI workforce development and sought input on forming a public-private consortium to develop transformational AI models.
Further expanding its AI ecosystem, DOE signed memorandums of understanding supporting the Genesis Mission with Oracle and Accenture, Google and 21 other organizations, outlined 26 Genesis Mission AI challenges aimed at accelerating scientific breakthroughs and formally launched a Genesis Mission consortium to advance collaborative AI development. These efforts reflect DOE’s emphasis on public-private collaboration and applied AI innovation across the national laboratory system.
Who Is Dawn Zimmer?
Appointed permanent CIO in November 2025 after serving in multiple acting capacities, Zimmer previously served as principal deputy CIO, overseeing enterprise technology strategy across DOE headquarters and the department’s national laboratory enterprise. Her portfolio includes IT governance, modernization initiatives and cybersecurity oversight supporting mission-critical research and energy operations.
Zimmer brings more than two decades of enterprise IT and modernization leadership spanning federal agencies, academia and the private sector.
Before joining DOE, she served as executive director for IT engagement and experience at Virginia Tech, leading digital transformation efforts supporting more than 30,000 users.
Her 16-year tenure at the Federal Aviation Administration included senior roles such as director of business partnership services, where she led a 280-person organization responsible for secure access to air traffic systems and established the FAA Customer Experience Division.
Zimmer also served as deputy director within the Department of Justice’s Office of the CIO, managing enterprise technology modernization and operational efficiency initiatives across DOJ components. Earlier in her career, she held leadership roles in the private sector at GE Capital and Ulticom.
Advancing Enterprise AI & IT Modernization at DOE
Discussing accomplishments in fiscal year 2025, Zimmer pointed to the department’s rollout of Joulix, DOE’s enterprise AI platform. The implementation expanded access to more than 16,000 users across over 80 organizations and contributed to measurable efficiencies, including cost savings and reductions in workforce hours. During the same period, the department introduced Quanta, a data integration platform designed to enhance grid analytics and enable near real-time data insights.
Looking ahead to fiscal year 2026, Zimmer identified enterprise IT consolidation as a major priority, with plans to streamline software usage and integrate more than 50 separate IT environments into a unified system. The effort is intended to strengthen collaboration and enhance the department’s security posture. She also emphasized equipping the DOE workforce with secure, advanced AI tools to further support the nation’s energy and innovation objectives.
Recognizing Leadership in a Transformative Era
Zimmer’s 2026 Wash100 recognition highlights her leadership during a pivotal period for the DOE as it advances enterprise IT modernization, cybersecurity oversight and AI initiatives across the department.
“I am delighted and deeply honored to be selected as a recipient of the 2026 Wash100 Award. It is truly a privilege to stand alongside such esteemed leaders who are actively shaping the future of our government,” said Zimmer. “This recognition underscores the critical role that IT modernization plays in advancing the Department of Energy’s vital missions, from ensuring energy security to fostering scientific innovation at scale. I am sincerely grateful for this acknowledgment and inspired to continue driving progress in our field.”
Executive Mosaic congratulates Dawn Zimmer on her 2026 Wash100 Award.
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