Tribble Spencer Named OD Executive Officer
Kelly Tribble Spencer is the new associate director for management and executive officer (EO) in NIH’s Office of the Director (OD).
Tribble Spencer joins OD from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), where she served as the director of the Strategic Resources Office. In this role, she pioneered key administrative functions as the agency’s first federal detailee and senior executive service member. Her tenure at ARPA-H laid crucial groundwork for organizational development.
Beginning her federal career at the Social Security Administration (SSA) in 2009, Tribble Spencer held significant roles, culminating as director of training and human resources in the Office of Hearings Operations. Her leadership spanned workforce programs for more than 8,000 employees, emphasizing operational excellence and employee development.
During her SSA tenure, Tribble Spencer also served as deputy associate commissioner for the Office of Budget, Facilities and Security, overseeing pandemic planning and nationwide return-to-office efforts for disability hearings across 160 offices, impacting nearly 200,000 Americans. Her diverse roles included positions in the Office of Retirement and Disability Policy, the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs, the Office of the Commissioner, and as a senior advisor.
Tribble Spencer’s career path also includes a pivotal role as a social security policy analyst for the Senate finance committee in 2014.
Before her federal service, she held leadership roles in non-profit organizations and academia, alongside practicing law in private practice.
A native of Baltimore, Tribble Spencer holds degrees in mass communication (B.A.), applied sociology (M.S.), and law (J.D.).