Celia Merzbacher, executive director of the SRI-managed Quantum Economic Development Consortium, has been recognized for her role in strengthening the global quantum ecosystem.
In addition to advancing groundbreaking quantum sensing projects, one of SRI’s most significant contributions to quantum applications has been its role managing the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C®), the world’s premier association of pioneers in the quantum technology marketplace.
This year, QED-C executive director Celia Merzbacher has been named one of the Quantum 100, recognizing her leadership in growing the global quantum industry and supply chain.
The Quantum 100 recognition is part of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, a worldwide campaign marking 100 years of quantum mechanics and raising public awareness of the importance and impact of quantum science and technology. The Quantum 100 designation identifies outstanding individuals from across the quantum ecosystem.
Since joining QED-C in 2019, Merzbacher has testified twice at U.S. Congressional hearings on the National Quantum Initiative, led industry delegations to foster international collaboration in countries like South Korea and Australia, participated as member of the Center for Strategic and International Studies Commission on U.S. Quantum Leadership, and launched an annual Quantum Technology Showcase on Capitol Hill.
Now representing roughly 250 members from 19 countries, QED-C was established with support from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as part of the federal strategy for advancing quantum information science and as called for by the National Quantum Initiative Act.
To learn more about recent advances in quantum, read QED-C’s 2025 State of the Global Quantum Industry report or explore SRI’s work on quantum sensors and other quantum technologies.
