Senior Leadership

David J. Skorton

The Secretary

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.

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The 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.

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Senior Program and Unit Directors

Susan Ades

Director, Smithsonian Exhibits

Nancy Bechtol

Director, Smithsonian Facilities

Deron Burba

Chief Information Officer

Amy Chen

Chief Investment Officer, Office of Investments

Thomas Dempsey

Director, Office of Contracting & Personal Property Management

Molly Fannon

Director, Office of International Relations

Tracey Fraser

Director, Business Services Innovation

Jean Garvin

Director of Finance and Accounting

Cheryl Johnson

Director, Government Relations

Ken Johnson

Acting Director, Office of Planning, Management and Budget

Karen Keller

Director, Special Events and Protocol

Brenda Richardson Malone

Director, Office of Human Resources

Scott Miller

Deputy Under Secretary for Collections and Interdisciplinary Support

Jeanne O'Toole

Director, Office of Protection Services

William G. Tompkins

Director, National Collections Program

Whitney Watriss

Director, Smithsonian Organization and Audience Research

Sherri Wheeler

Director, Office of Visitor Services

Eric Woodard

Director, Office of Fellowships and Internships

Elizabeth Ziebarth

Coordinator, Accessibility Program

Michael J. McCarthy

Deputy Under Secretary for Finance and Administration