Accountant Joyce Goldenbaum is among NETL’s 2024 federal hires providing the vital financial administrative support needed for the Lab to enact its vision of a decarbonized power sector and economy in which all Americans can prosper.

Goldenbaum grew up in Columbus, Ohio and joined the U.S. Army after graduating high school.

“After seven years of military service, I became a civilian and worked in administrative and bookkeeping roles,” she said. “During this time, I had great mentors that supported and encouraged higher education in accounting.  I attended Columbus State Community College, Franklin University and Otterbein University where I earned a bachelor’s in accounting and an MBA with a concentration of forensic accounting.”

Goldenbaum worked in the private sector, managing all areas of accounting, taxes and financial reporting, before discovering NETL and pursuing the open position.

“I was in search of a position that incorporated current accounting knowledge and experience with the opportunity to learn and further develop my career. The accounting position was a perfect match.”

Her current tasks include reporting uncosted balances, entering Automated Standard Application for Payments authorizations, and back up for invoicing and inventory adjustments. Since joining the Lab this year, Goldenbaum has taken on the accounting department’s new task of uncosted reporting as well.

“There are so many positive traits working at NETL” Goldenbaum said. “I enjoy the collaboration amongst coworkers. Everyone on my team is friendly, professional and willing to share information. This made onboarding from private to government sector a smooth transition. I also enjoy the work life balance and culture of inclusion and learning.”

Outside of work, Goldenbaum has a passion for audiobooks, especially for the unexpected twists featured in the works of Frieda McFadden, her favorite author. She said if she could meet any historical figure, it would be Chinese philosopher and writer Laozi—considered as one of the founders of Taoism—and find out if his philosophies on life would have changed over time.

She said pizza is her favorite food and prefers finding new places to explore with each new trip, especially America’s national parks.

“I enjoy walking my dogs, hikes, kayaking, art and veteran community events. Although I have a fear of heights, I enjoy activities that challenge my fears and athletic ability,” Goldenbaum said. “My next challenge is the New River Gorge Bridge Walk and Via Ferrata at NROCKS Outdoor Adventures.”

NETL is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory that drives innovation and delivers solutions for an environmentally sustainable and prosperous energy future. By leveraging its world-class talent and research facilities, NETL is ensuring affordable, abundant and reliable energy that drives a robust economy and national security, while developing technologies to manage carbon across the full life cycle, enabling environmental sustainability for all Americans.