Michelle Bhatia, currently serving as chief of staff to President-Designate Jonathan Levin in the Graduate School of Business, will become the president’s chief of staff when he assumes office Aug. 1, Levin announced today.

“I’m delighted Michelle is joining me in the Office of the President,” said Levin. “She will help set and move forward our priorities with her clear vision, keen management, and warm sense of humor.”

In her new role, Bhatia will work to advance presidential priorities, support the university’s executive operations, and manage the Office of the President.

“I love Stanford’s spirit of possibility and am continuously awestruck by all that the Stanford community achieves. Stanford has a special role in the world,” said Bhatia. “I’m honored by the chance to support the university’s future and Jon’s leadership.”

Prior to working at the Graduate School of Business, Bhatia was director of strategic programs and chief of staff to the COO of Dyson, headquartered in Singapore. She has extensive strategic and operations experience, having worked for Juniper Networks, Sun Microsystems, and Motorola in a variety of senior positions. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Business, and graduated from the Stanford Executive Program. At the Graduate School of Business, Bhatia served on the Alumni Advisory Board, Alumni Consulting Team, and Singapore Alumni Chapter.

Megan Pierson, who served as chief of staff to former president Marc Tessier-Lavigne and President Richard Saller, will take on a new role as vice president for university affairs. In this role, she will report to President Levin and oversee strategic university projects, governance, and policy issues at the direction of the president and in collaboration with university leadership. She will continue to serve as secretary to the Board of Trustees. Pierson recently received Stanford’s Kenneth M. Cuthberson Award for exceptional service to the university.

“Megan’s knowledge of university affairs and commitment to Stanford are invaluable. I’m thrilled that she has agreed to be part of the senior leadership team and that I will be able to benefit from her experience and wise counsel,” Levin said.