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.

Learn more aboutThe Secretary

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.

More about the Board of Regents

Senior Executives

Albert Horvath profile picture

Albert G. Horvath

Chief Operating Officer and Under Secretary for Finance and Administration
John Davis

John Davis

Provost/Under Secretary for Museums, Education, and Research
Patricia Bartlett

Patricia Bartlett

Associate Provost for Education and Access and Senior Advisor to the Secretary
Cathy Helm

Cathy Helm

Smithsonian Inspector General
Portrait of Richard Kurin

Richard Kurin

Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large; Acting Director, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and Freer Gallery of Art
John K. Lapiana

John K. Lapiana

Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for Museums and Research/Provost
Judith E. Leonard

Judith E. Leonard

General Counsel
Julissa Marenco

Julissa Marenco

Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs
Era L. Marshall

Era L. Marshall

Director, Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs
Robert J. Spiller

Robert J. Spiller

Assistant Secretary for Advancement
Porter Wilkinson

Porter Wilkinson

Chief of Staff to the Regents

Museum Directors

Caroline Baumann

Caroline Baumann

Director, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Lonnie G. Bunch III

Lonnie G. Bunch III

Founding Director, National Museum of African American History and Culture
Augustus (Gus) Casely-Hayford

Augustus (Gus) Casely-Hayford

Director, National Museum of African Art
Melissa Chiu

Melissa Chiu

Director, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Rachel Goslins

Rachel Goslins

Director, Arts and Industries Building
Kevin Gover

Kevin Gover

Director, National Museum of the American Indian
John Gray

John Gray

Director, National Museum of American History
Elliot Gruber

Elliot Gruber

Director, National Postal Museum
headshot of Johnson

Kirk Johnson

Sant Director, National Museum of Natural History
Steven Montfort

Steven Monfort

Acting Director, National Zoo; Director, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Kim Sajet

Kim Sajet

Director, National Portrait Gallery
Stephanie Stebich

Stephanie Stebich

Director, Smithsonian American Art Museum
Lori Yarrish

Lori Yarrish

Director, Anacostia Community Museum
Ellen Stofan headshot

Ellen Stofan

Director, National Air and Space Museum

Research Center Directors

Charles R. Alcock

Charles R. Alcock

Director, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Nancy Gwinn

Nancy Gwinn

Director, Smithsonian Libraries
Kate Haw

Kate Haw

Director, Archives of American Art
portrait of Hines holding a blue crab

Anson “Tuck” Hines

Director, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Robert J. Koestler

Robert J. Koestler

Director, Museum Conservation Institute
Matthew Larsen

Matthew Larsen

Director, Smithsonian Tropical Research Center

Valerie J. Paul

Director, Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce

Tammy Peters

Acting Director, Smithsonian Institution Archives

Education and Outreach Directors

Fredie Adelman

Frederica Adelman

Director, Smithsonian Associates
Eduardo Díaz

Eduardo Díaz

Director, Smithsonian Latino Center
head shot of Mason

Michael Mason

Director, Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
Stephanie Norby

Stephanie Norby

Director, Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access
head shot of Carol O'Donnell

Carol O'Donnell

Director, Smithsonian Science Education Center
Lisa Sasaki

Lisa Sasaki

Director, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
Springuel with command module

Myriam Springuel

Director, Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and Smithsonian Affiliates

Senior Program and Unit Directors

Susan Ades

Director, Smithsonian Exhibits

Nancy Bechtol

Director, Smithsonian Facilities

John F. Benton

Deputy Under Secretary for Finance and Administration

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, Office of Sponsored Projects

Jean Garvin

Director of Finance and Accounting

Cheryl Johnson

Director, Government Relations

Karen Keller

Director, Special Events and Protocol

Dennis W. Kelly

Interim President, Smithsonian Enterprises

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

David Voyles

Director, Office of Planning, Management and Budget

Elizabeth Ziebarth

Coordinator, Accessibility Program