Charles River Announces CEO Transition, New Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific and Innovation Officer

Charles River Laboratories, an AABB corporate partner, recently announced that James C. (Jim) Foster, the company’s board chair, president and chief executive officer, plans to retire effective May 5.

Foster’s career at Charles River spans 50 years, including more than 30 years as CEO. He joined Charles River in 1976 as general counsel and went on to hold a variety of senior leadership roles, being named president in 1991, CEO in 1992 and chair of the board in 2000.

Birgit Girshick, the current executive vice president and chief operating officer, will succeed Foster as CEO.

The company also announced that Namandjé Bumpus, PhD, will serve as its next senior vice president, chief scientific and innovation officer. Bumpus joined Charles River in October 2025 to lead the Scientific Advisory Board. She previously served in the Food and Drug Administration, where she held roles as chief scientist and as the agency’s principal deputy commissioner.