Wendy Straub

Wendy is the Chief Operating Officer of the Sanford Underground Research Facility, overseeing daily operations and ensuring seamless integration of scientific research and engineering. She supports the construction and operation of the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) and Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) while exploring future excavation opportunities for scientific research.

Wendy’s interest in mining began during childhood, placer mining with her family in Montana. She enrolled at Montana Tech in 1991 and later pursued a career in mining engineering. She gained industry experience with Montana Resources before graduating and then worked at Stillwater Mining Company in operations, engineering, and project management.

After stepping away in 2004 to raise her son, Jake, she returned to mining in 2009 as a project mining engineer at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. She later took on leadership roles, serving as Mine Engineering Superintendent and then Mine Manager at an underground trona mine in Wyoming from 2013 to 2021.

In 2021, Wendy rejoined the lab as Director of Hoists & Shafts, overseeing critical infrastructure supporting underground science. She now leverages her extensive experience to drive innovation and operational excellence in her role as COO.