Leadership at the Smithsonian
Dr. David J. Skorton is the 13th Secretary of the Smithsonian. He assumed his position July 1, 2015.
As Secretary, Skorton oversees 19 museums, 21 libraries, the National Zoo, numerous education and research centers, including the Smithsonian Astrophysics Observatory, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, and Smithsonian Science Education Center. He is responsible for an annual budget of $1.3 billion, 6,500 employees, 6,300 volunteers and 8,500 digital volunteers.
Under Skorton’s leadership, a new strategic plan has been developed with a focus on convening critical conversations about topics of vital public interest. An example of this was the first-of-its-kind Earth Optimism Summit on Earth Day weekend 2017, which brought together scientists, thought leaders, conservationists and students to share conservation and sustainability solutions that have worked and can work on a larger scale. The strategic plan also calls for increased outreach and attention to the relevance and impact of the Smithsonian’s activities.
Board of Regents
The legislation that created the Smithsonian Institution (approved by Congress Aug. 10, 1846) called for the creation of a Board of Regents to govern and administer the organization.
Senior Executives
- Patricia Bartlett, Acting Assistant Secretary for Education and Access
- Greg Bettwy, Chief of Staff
- John Davis, Under Secretary for Museums and Research/Provost
- Zully Dorr, Acting Assistant Secretary for Advancement
- Cathy Helm, Inspector General
- Albert Horvath, Under Secretary for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer
- Richard Kurin, Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large
- John K. Lapiana, Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for Museums and Research/Provost
- Judith E. Leonard, General Counsel
- Era L. Marshall, Director, Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs
- Carolyn Martin, Acting Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs
- Porter N. Wilkinson, Chief of Staff to the Board of Regents
Museum, Education, and Research Center Directors
- Fredie Adelman, Director, The Smithsonian Associates
- Charles R. Alcock, Director, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
- Caroline Baumann, Director, Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
- Lonnie G. Bunch III, Director, National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Melissa Chiu, Director, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- John R. Dailey, Director, National Air and Space Museum
- Kevin Gover, Director, National Museum of the American Indian
- John Gray, Director, National Museum of American History, Behring Center
- Elliot Gruber, Director, National Postal Museum
- Nancy E. Gwinn, Director, Smithsonian Libraries
- Kate Haw, Director, Archives of American Art
- Anson "Tuck" Hines, Director, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
- Kirk Johnson, Director National Museum of Natural History
- Dennis Kelly, Director, National Zoological Park
- Robert J. Koestler, Director, Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute
- Christine Mullen Kreamer, Acting Director, National Museum of African Art
- Matthew Larsen, Director, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
- Stephanie L. Norby, Director, Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access
- Carol O'Donnell, Director, Smithsonian Science Education Center
- Valerie J. Paul, Director, Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce
- Julian Raby, Director, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
- Kim Sajet, Director, National Portrait Gallery
- Myriam Springuel, Director, Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service and Interim Director, Smithsonian Affiliations
- Stephanie Stebich, Director, Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery
- Anne Van Camp, Director, Smithsonian Institution Archives
- Lori D. Yarrish, Acting Director, Anacostia Community Museum
Senior Administration and Program Directors
- Susan Ades, Director, Smithsonian Exhibits
- Michael Atwood Mason, Director, Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
- Nancy Bechtol, Director, Smithsonian Facilities
- John Benton, Deputy Under Secretary for Finance and Administration
- Deron Burba, Chief Information Officer
- Michael Caruso, Editor-in-Chief, Smithsonian magazine
- Amy Chen, Chief Investment Officer, Office of Investments
- Thomas Dempsey, Director, Office of Contracting & Personal Property Management
- Eduardo Díaz, Smithsonian Latino Center
- James Douglas, Director, Office of Human Resources
- Molly Fannon, Director, Office of International Relations
- Tracey Fraser, Director, Office of Sponsored Projects
- Jean Garvin, Director of Finance and Accounting
- Chandra P. Heilman, Ombudsman
- Karen Keller, Director, Office of Special Events and Protocol
- Dorothy A. Leffler, Director, Office of Contracting & Personal Property Management
- Christopher Liedel, President, Smithsonian Enterprises
- Scott Miller, Deputy Under Secretary for Collections and Interdisciplinary Support
- Jeanne O'Toole, Director, Office of Protection Services
- Maura Reidy, Acting Director, Government Relations
- Lisa Sasaki, Director, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
- William G. Tompkins, Director, National Collections Program
- David Voyles, Director, Office of Planning, Management and Budget
- Whitney Watriss, Director, Office of Policy and Analysis
- Sherri Wheeler, Director, Office of Visitor Services
- Eric Woodard, Director, Office of Fellowships and Internships
- Elizabeth Ziebarth, Coordinator, Accessibility Program
