About The Oppenheimer Project
The Oppenheimer Project is committed to honoring the legacy of J. Robert Oppenheimer and advancing a safer future in the face of technological change. The project is the first representation of J. Robert Oppenheimer from his own family, but is designed to be an open, inclusive organization that is not limited to family members.
The Oppenheimer Project is currently fiscally-sponsored by the Social Good Fund, a US 501(c)3 organization. Please contact info@oppenheimerproject.org to receive project updates, or click below to make a tax deductible donation.
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Your donation will support the Oppenheimer Project’s mission to promote and advocate for solutions to mitigate the existential risks posed by technological development.
Team
Charles Oppenheimer
Co-Founder & CEO
Charles has spent his career in software and as an entrepreneur. He believes there is value in representing J. Robert Oppenheimer from a family perspective, and in creating an inclusive organization that all can be involved in via the Oppenheimer Project.
Karen Pak Oppenheimer
Co-Founder & COO
Karen is a strategy and operations adviser for philanthropic and social impact organizations, focused on the intersections of population, health and climate. An engineer and scientist by training, she served in research, strategy and senior management roles at various nonprofit, public and private sector organizations and was on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response.
Theo Kalionzes
Senior Advisor
Theo is an expert in philanthropy and nuclear policy. For the past decade he served at two private foundations, Carnegie Corporation of New York and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Theo steered over $80 million in grants to the nonprofit sector, aiming to reduce the nuclear risks and facilitate productive dialogue on the future of nuclear energy as a climate solution. Previously he was a consultant and speechwriter at the United Nations in Vienna, Austria.
Advisors
Lynn Orr
Lynn Orr, a distinguished scientist, is a founding member of the Oppenheimer Project. He served as the Under Secretary for Science and Energy at the US Department of Energy and held key positions at Stanford University. His expertise lies in energy, earth sciences, and carbon storage. Orr is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and has contributed to various organizations, including the Packard Foundation and the ClimateWorks Foundation.
Larry Brilliant
Dr. Larry Brilliant is a physician and epidemiologist, CEO of Pandefense Advisory, senior counselor at the Skoll Foundation, CNN Medical Analyst and a TED prize winner. Previously, he was the president and CEO of the Skoll Global Threats Fund, vice president of Google, and the founding executive director of Google.org. He was a key member of the successful WHO Smallpox Eradication Programme for SE Asia as well as the WHO Polio Eradication Programme. He co-founded the Seva Foundation, an NGO whose programs have given back sight to more than 5 million blind people in two dozen countries. In addition, he co-founded The Well, a progenitor of today’s social media platforms.
Sue Suh
Sue Suh is an award-winning executive whose career has spanned global media, philanthropy, social entrepreneurship and government service. During her tenure with the U.S. State and Defense Departments, Sue supported initiatives in multilateral arms control, bilateral nuclear arms control with Russia, and public diplomacy. She currently sits on several boards, including the Classical Theatre of Harlem, and advises The Oppenheimer Project and the Oppenheimer Science & Energy Leadership Program.
Family Advisors
Dorothy Oppenheimer Vanderford
Founding Member
Dorothy, a granddaughter of J. Robert Oppenheimer, has been a founding advocate of the Project and brings a rich career history of researching, analyzing, designing, writing, and editing documentation used by both private sector corporations and the public sector, including the Department of Energy.
Kate Oppenheimer
Founding Member
Kate brings over 15 years experience in bringing about organizational change for multi-million dollar brands; she specializes in working with highly driven and motivated leaders to create thriving businesses that attract top talent and achieve unparalleled profit results.
Michael Oppenheimer
Founding Member
Michael, JRO’s nephew, has been an influential participant in the Oppenheimer Project offering his unique perspective on the legacy JRO would appreciate.
Sean Karshis
Founding Member
Sean Karshis, former CTO of multiple organizations brings a deep understanding of software development leadership and large project management and execuition.