Battery materials company Sila has named Lindsay Caldwell as its new Vice President – People as the firm accelerates its expansion and industrialisation efforts.

A seasoned HR executive with deep expertise across biotech, biopharma, and aerospace, Caldwell will take the helm of Sila’s people strategy, fostering a high-performance, inclusive, and collaborative culture.

Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Sila, which is scaling its operations and ramping up production at its Moses Lake facility in Washington state – the company’s first auto-scale manufacturing plant.

With a background in leading HR functions within manufacturing-driven organisations, Caldwell is poised to help Sila navigate this crucial growth phase.

Driving people strategy in a high-growth environment

“It’s full-steam ahead with our plant construction in Moses Lake, and Lindsay’s experience in the industrial segment will bring valuable expertise as we continue to build a diverse team that excels both in technical R&D and manufacturing innovation,” said Gene Berdichevsky, co-founder and CEO of Sila.

“Her track record of success and enthusiasm for our mission will ensure we build a performance-driven workforce that can support our ambitious goals.”

Caldwell’s extensive HR leadership spans across key industries known for their complex talent demands. Before joining Sila, she served as VP of Human Resources at Metagenomi, where she built the HR function from the ground up.

Under her leadership, the company secured Best Places to Work in the Bay Area awards for three consecutive years, and she played a critical role in preparing Metagenomi for its IPO.

Her career also includes strategic HR positions at Gilead Sciences (in both the US and UK), engineering consultancy Arup, and aerospace and defence giant Northrop Grumman, where she supported R&D, engineering, and commercial operations teams.

This diverse portfolio of experience uniquely positions her to drive Sila’s workforce strategy, balancing technical innovation with the human capital needed to sustain rapid industrial growth.

Scaling for the future

Founded in 2011, Sila has been at the forefront of advancing battery technology, shipping the world’s first commercially available silicon anode for lithium-ion batteries in 2021. Its Titan Silicon is set to power the next generation of electric vehicles, including models from Mercedes-Benz, and will be integrated into Panasonic Energy’s advanced lithium-ion battery lineup.

As Sila transitions from R&D breakthroughs to large-scale manufacturing, the need for a resilient, well-equipped workforce has never been more pressing, the company believes.

Caldwell’s role will be instrumental in ensuring Sila attracts and retains top talent while cultivating a workplace culture that supports both innovation and operational excellence.

With major financial backing from investors such as 8VC, Bessemer Venture Partners, and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Sila is charting an ambitious course to lead the clean energy transition.

Caldwell’s leadership in people strategy will be key to ensuring the company’s workforce is primed to meet the challenges of scaling a cutting-edge technology company.