2026 Leading Ladies Luncheon
Keynote Speaker: Susan S. Hubbard
Dr. Susan Hubbard is the Deputy Laboratory Director for Science and Technology at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), where she helps lead one of the nation’s most extensive science and energy research portfolios, focused on breakthrough discoveries and their translation into energy and national security solutions for the nation.
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Before coming to Oak Ridge, her career took her from the U.S. Geological Survey to the oil and gas industry and then to leadership roles at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Throughout her career, she has been driven by a deep curiosity about how the natural world works, how science can make a difference, and how she can create positive impact through leadership and mentorship.
Susan is known as a pioneer in hydrogeophysics, a field she helped shape to better understand how fluids move through and interact within the Earth – work that has important implications for everything from clean water to sustainable energy. She earned her PhD from UC Berkeley and has been recognized as a member of the National Academy of Engineering, as well as a Fellow of several leading scientific organizations.
Just as important, Susan is deeply committed to supporting the next generation of scientists—especially women – and to creating pathways for others to thrive and contribute.
Quote:
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” — Jane Goodall
Featured speaker: Morgan Vance
Morgan Vance serves as the Executive Director of the Pat Summitt Foundation after spending several years in a strategic role overseeing advancement operations, partnerships and programs. With over 10 years of professional experience, Vance is entrusted with protecting and advancing the mission of legendary women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Her strategic oversight has led to a growth in grantmaking, programs, and partnerships, as well as major gifts and estate gifts.
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Prior to her time at the Pat Summitt Foundation, Morgan was a development director at the Tennessee Fund, the development office for the University of Tennessee athletics, and was responsible for soliciting annual and major gifts. Before her time in athletics, she worked as a development director at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center overseeing Children’s Miracle Network corporate partners and fundraising campaigns.
Morgan is a Knoxville native and received her master’s in business administration from the University of Tennessee, Martin and her bachelor’s in public relations from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.