Lynnette Madsen has worked at the National Science Foundation (NSF) as a program director in materials research since 2000. Additionally, she has completed three details dealing with international efforts with Africa, increasing the advancement of women in academic careers, and strategic human capital analysis and planning. She has also led new co-operative activities with European researchers in materials; been part of the driving force in program development and initiatives in nanotechnology, manufacturing, sustainability, education, and diversity; and has had an active independent research program. Previously, she was on faculty at Linköping University and held a visiting/adjunct faculty position at Carnegie Mellon University. Earlier, she spent a decade working in industry in Canada. To date she has more than 90 publications; been awarded two patents; and delivered more than 90 invited talks. She has served as a panelist for the National Academies, currently serves as an advisory board member for the Rosalind Franklin Society and as a trustee for the American Vacuum Society (AVS), and is a Fellow of The American Ceramic Society. Madsen is the 2016 recipient of the TMS Ellen Swallow Richards Diversity Award. She has also been recognized by the NSF (two Director Awards, 10 Performance Awards, an Incentive Award for Timely Program Management), the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (Claire L. Felbinger Award for Diversity), AVS (Excellence in Leadership Recognition), the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (Junipero Serra Award), the University of Waterloo (Professional Achievement Alumni Medal from Engineering), and the Materials Research Society (Presentation Award).