A New Chapter for AIP Foundation’s Board of Trustees
Board of Trustee Members, Julia Phillips and General Lester Lyles
AIP’s, fundraising arm, AIP Foundation, is entering an exciting new chapter in its leadership. Following France Córdova’s distinguished service as the Foundation’s inaugural Board Chair, we are pleased to welcome new leadership as Julia Phillips steps into the role and General Lester Lyles joins our Board of Trustees.
Stepping Into the Board Chair Role: Julia Phillips
Phillips is a physicist and long-standing advocate for STEM. She served as former VP and Chief Technology Officer of Sandia National Laboratory, where she spent 20 years of her career, and is a current member of the National Science Board. Julia has been a dedicated AIPF Trustee since joining the Board in 2020, at its inception. She brings a depth of experience in science policy, scientific expertise, institutional leadership, and a passion for AIP Foundation’s mission to inspire philanthropy in the physical sciences. Phillips breadth of experience positions her to effectively guide AIP Foundation’s Board forward.
Phillips holds a B.S. in Physics from the College of William & Mary and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Yale University.
A New Perspective: General Lester Lyles
In parallel with Phillip’s transition to Board Chair, we are delighted to welcome General Lester Lyles to AIP Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
A retired four-star U.S. Air Force general, General Lyles served as Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Commander of Air Force Materiel Command. After retiring from active duty in 2003, General Lyles has continued to serve in leadership across the public and private sectors. He currently sits on the board of KBR Corp and has held former board roles at firms such as General Dynamics, Battelle Labs, and USAA. His broad expertise in systems, infrastructure, aerospace, and governance is a superb complement to AIP Foundation’s Board.
General Lyles earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Howard University and an M.S. in mechanical and nuclear engineering from New Mexico State University.
Looking Ahead
With this transition, AIP Foundation enters a new phase. Under Phillips’s guidance, and with the addition of General Lyles, the Board is well-equipped to fuel the Foundation’s growth and help expand philanthropic support to advance the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity.
