Governor Kevin Stitt announced today Science and Innovation Secretary Elizabeth Pollard has submitted her resignation effective March 15, 2023.  

 "Elizabeth has done an amazing job serving on my cabinet as Oklahoma's Secretary of Science and Innovation," said Gov. Stitt. "I am excited that she will continue to help make Oklahoma a Top Ten State in her new role at the Oklahoma State University Research Foundation."

In her resignation letter, Pollard wrote in part, "Building relationships and serving the people of Oklahoma, on your behalf for nearly three years and throughout the pandemic, has been one of the great honors of my life."

Pollard joined the Stitt Administration in 2020, bringing a wealth of experience in establishing public-private partnerships, scaling organizations, and building technologies from concept to market. While serving on the governor’s cabinet, Pollard established two councils: the Science and Innovation Council and the Aerospace, Autonomous Systems and Defense Council. Under her leadership, these councils published a five-year strategic plan for science and innovation for the state. Additionally, the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) established 3 state-funded accelerator programs with national partners and with $82M in Small Business Credit Initiative funding (SSBCI), established the Oklahoma Venture Capital Investment Program and the Oklahoma Business Lending Program, to provide funding resources to Oklahoma businesses.

Pollard continued: "I am excited to be continuing my service to the state in a role that furthers our mission for science and innovation. At OSU, as President of Cowboy Technologies, I look forward to continuing work with your office and our partners to make Oklahoma a Top Ten State."

Secretary Pollard's resignation letter can be read in full here.

The search for Pollard's replacement is ongoing.