Abbey Donahue is a 2023 Women Leaders in Energy and Climate Fellow. She works for BWX Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC, and is responsible for the technical development of the company’s advanced nuclear reactor, BANR, which is supported by the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program.  Donahue is responsible for the design, development, fabrication, and testing of fuel and key reactor systems. 

Donahue was formerly an engineering manager with SHINE Medical Technologies, where she was responsible for the design, licensing, construction and installation of the site, civil, structural, and architectural systems of a medical isotope production facility. Before joining SHINE, Donahue’s early career included nuclear core design, reactor engineering, spent fuel storage, and fuel transportation. She served on the board of directors of the North American Young Generation in Nuclear, a non-profit that connects young professionals to develop leadership and professional skills. During her time on the board, NAYGN released its first children’s book and was recognized by the Nuclear Energy Institute with a Top Industry Practice award.   

Donahue holds a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Purdue University and a master’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Tennessee. She is a licensed professional engineer.