Title Unchanged: Chief Acquisition Officer
Darnese Wilkerson, a seasoned leader with over three decades of experience in contracts and management, has made a significant impact in both the private and public sectors. As of January 2025, Wilkerson has been appointed as the Chief Acquisition Officer (CAO) at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), a role that sees her leading agency-wide acquisition policy, planning, and operations.
Before her tenure at NARA, Wilkerson served as the Director of the Office of Acquisitions at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). During her time at NIH, she managed a portfolio of nearly $1 Billion annually and collaborated with customers to create economies of scale for mission-critical support. Under her leadership, almost 10,000 actions were completed.
Wilkerson's career at NARA has seen her rise to a senior staff member and hold the position of Acting Chief Records Officer. She was listed on NARA's senior staff as of July 2025, confirming her leadership role within the agency. Although detailed information on her exact duties at NIH or her contracts management experience was not found, these roles generally involve oversight of government recordkeeping and procurement processes, which align with her known responsibilities.
Wilkerson's educational background is impressive. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management from National-Louis University and dual graduate degrees, a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Government Contracting, from the George Washington University. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctor of Education from the University of Southern California, in Organizational Change and Leadership, demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning to enhance her expertise.
In her current role at NARA, Wilkerson is responsible for determining and executing the training and professional development of the NARA Acquisition Workforce. Her leadership and expertise in contracts management and acquisition policy are undoubtedly valuable assets to the agency as they strive to maintain and manage the vast collection of American history.
Wilkerson's educational journey includes a focus on business management, government contracting, and organizational change and leadership, suggesting an interest in both business and education-and-self-development. In her current role at NARA, she is overseeing the training and professional development of the NARA Acquisition Workforce, demonstrating her commitment to finance and business within the context of education-and-self-development.
