The following message was shared with all Adminstration Division staff on March 11, 2026:
Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to share the bittersweet news that Courtney Chandler, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff for the Administration Division, will be leaving UC Berkeley to join the David and Lucile Packard Foundation as their new Chief Operating Officer. Her last day with the university will be March 26.
I am incredibly proud to see Courtney move into this significant role. The Packard Foundation is gaining an extraordinary leader whose deep operational expertise and commitment to mission-driven work make her a perfect fit for their global efforts.
Courtney's impact on UC Berkeley is profound and far-reaching. A "Double Bear" with a BA and MBA from Cal, and a Doctorate from UPenn, she has dedicated over 15 years to the excellence of this campus. Before joining the Administration Division, Courtney was a cornerstone of the Haas School of Business, where she served as Senior Vice Dean, Chief Strategy and Operating Officer.
During her time as my Chief of Staff, Courtney has been an invaluable partner. She was instrumental in architecting our division's new 5-year strategic plan and has provided visionary leadership for the HR EcoSystem initiative. Whether navigating complex academic labor relations or fostering cross-campus collaborations, Courtney has always led with transparent communication, professional integrity, and a relentless focus on improving the experience for our faculty, students, and staff.
The Packard Foundation has shared their own announcement regarding Courtney's appointment, which you can view here at this link.
Regarding our next steps, I am working closely with the Administration Division's Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to ensure a seamless transition. For the remainder of the academic year, we will adopt a collaborative leadership model to maintain the momentum of our high-priority initiatives. During this period, the ELT and I will take on expanded oversight of specific functional areas within the Chief of Staff portfolio to ensure our strategic goals remain on track.
Please join me in thanking Courtney for her immense contributions to the Administration Division and the Haas School. We will miss her deeply, but we wish her the absolute best as she embarks on this incredible new chapter.
Sincerely,
Marc Fisher
Vice Chancellor for Administration