____________________________

1 Participated in the morning program only

2 Participated in the afternoon session only

MINUTES OF THE APRIL 3, 2017, MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

ATTENDANCE

This scheduled meeting of the Board of Regents (“Board”) of the Smithsonian Institution (“Smithsonian”) 

was held on Monday, April 3, 2017. The Board conducted its second annual strategic meeting, which 

included a special morning program, an afternoon business meeting, and executive sessions at the 

Microsoft Innovation and Policy Center in Washington, D.C. Board Chair David M. Rubenstein welcomed 

Regents, staff, and guest participants and called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. Also present were

Regents:

The Chief Justice2

Senator John Boozman

Senator David Perdue

Representative Doris Matsui

Ambassador Barbara M. Barrett

Steve Case, Vice Chair

John Fahey

Shirley Ann Jackson

Robert P. Kogod 

Risa J. Lavizzo-Mourey

Michael Lynton

John W. McCarter, Jr. 

Roger W. Ferguson, Jr., Nominated Regent

Michael Govan, Nominated Regent

Robert MacDonald, Smithsonian National Board Chair

The Vice President, Senator Patrick J. Leahy, Representative Tom Cole, and Representative Sam 

Johnson were unable to attend the meeting. 

Smithsonian and Regent staff present by invitation of the Board were: 

David J. Skorton, Secretary

Patricia Bartlett, Acting Assistant Secretary 

 Education & Access

Greg Bettwy, Chief of Staff to the Secretary

Jenn Brock, Manager of Board Relations, 

 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Deron Burba,1 Chief Information Officer

Melissa Chiu, 1 Director, Hirshhorn Museum 

& Sculpture Garden 

John Dailey,1 Director, National Air and Space 

 Museum 

Eduardo Diaz,1 Director, Smithsonian Latino 

 Center

Derrick Dickey, Chief of Staff to Senator Perdue

Zully Dorr, Acting Assistant Secretary for 

 Advancement

Julie Eddy, Chief of Staff to Representative Matsui

Jennifer Ehlinger, Office of the Regents Senior 

 Researcher & Writer (recorder)

Marshall Emery, Director, National Postal 

 Museum

Rachel Goslins,

1 Director, Arts & Industries Building

John Gray, Director, National Museum of American 

 History 

Cathy Helm, Inspector General

Albert Horvath, Under Secretary for Finance & 

 Administration/Chief Financial Officer 

Kirk Johnson, Sant Director, National Museum of 

 Natural History

Dennis Kelly,1 Director, National Zoological Park 

Christine Kreamer,1 Acting Director, National 

 Museum of African Art 

Richard Kurin, Acting Provost/Under Secretary for 

 Museums & Research 
2

John K. Lapiana, Deputy Under Secretary for

 Finance & Administration/Acting Assistant 

 Secretary for Communications & External Affairs

Judith Leonard, General Counsel 

Chris Liedel, President, Smithsonian Enterprise 

Tony-Marie Higgins, Office of Senator Boozman

Era Marshall, Director for the Office of Equal 

 Employment and Minority Affairs

Michael Mason,

1 Director, Center for Folklife &

 Cultural Heritage

Kevin McDonald, Senior Adviser to Senator Leahy

Adam Metallo,1Senior 3D Program Officer, 

 Office of the Chief Information Officer 

Jeffrey P. Minear, Counselor to the Chief Justice 

Steven Monfort,1 Director, Smithsonian 

 Conservation Biology Institute

Sean Murphy, Chief of Staff to Representative 

 Cole

Julian Raby,1 Dame Jillian Sackler Director, Arthur

M. Sackler Gallery & the Freer Gallery of Art

Ken Rahamin,1 Mass Digitization Program Officer, 

 Office of the Chief Information Officer

Melissa Rasowsky,1 Office of the Regents 

 Scheduler & Project Coordinator

Maura Reidy, Acting Director of Government 

 Relations 

Vince Rossi,1Senior Program Officer, Office of the 

 Chief Information Officer 

Kim Sajet,1 Director, National Portrait Gallery

Myriam Springuel,1 Director, Smithsonian 

 Institution Traveling Exhibition Service

Sherri Wheeler,

1 Director, Office of Visitor 

 Services

Porter N. Wilkinson, Chief of Staff to the Regents

Lori Yarrish, Acting Director,1 Anacostia 

 Community Museum 

Diane Zorich,1 Director, Digitization Program 

 Office, Office of the Chief Information Office
3

MORNING SESSION

Welcome and 

Introduction of 

Smithsonian Next

Hands-on 

Demonstrations and 

Experiences of 

Technological Devices

Conversations and 

reflections about the 

Technology Experienced

SMITHSONIAN NEXT: THE FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY 

AT THE SMITHSONIAN

The morning program, called Smithsonian Next: The Future of Technology at 

the Smithsonian (“Smithsonian Next”), began with a welcome on behalf of the 

Board delivered by Mr. Rubenstein. Following Mr. Rubenstein’s remarks, Policy 

Council for Microsoft Caroline Curtin welcomed participants on behalf of 

Microsoft. Regent Michael M. Lynton provided an overview of the

technologies being presented. The goal of the program is to help Regents, 

directors, and Smithsonian leadership to better understand and experience a 

variety of technological devices and to discuss future possibilities for 

integrating these advances into the Smithsonian’s museums and research 

centers. 

TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATIONS

Eight innovative companies — Autodesk, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Nexus 

Studios, Novalia, SoftBank Robotics, and Sony Interactive Entertainment—

showcased technological devices and interactive experiences relevant to 

museums and the visitor experience. Regents, directors, and Smithsonian 

leadership were able to experience the technology first-hand. Demonstrations 

featured robotic facilitation, 3D HD scanning and digitization, 3D printing of 

scanned objects, accessibility and artificial intelligence technologies,

augmented reality experiences, interactive installations, interactive print 

experiences, touch-sensitive technology, and virtual reality gaming, among 

others. 

CONVERSATIONS

Following the technology demonstrations, Regents, directors, Smithsonian 

leadership, and company participants were all invited to participate in 

moderated, open-ended conversations. Two discussion panels were 

assembled to lead conversations about the most promising applications for the 

Smithsonian and how museums can optimize their use of next-generation 

technology to enhance the visitor experience, amplify storytelling around 

exhibits, and increase visitor access to the Smithsonian. 
4

Discussions about 

Technological Insights 

and Inspirations 

Discussions about 

Storytelling in Museums

Informal Networking 

Lunch

Call to Order of the 

Afternoon Business 

Session

Presentation of New 

Strategic Plan

Conversation One: Insights & Inspiration

Director of the Arts & Industries Building Rachel Goslins moderated the first 

conversation: Insights & Inspirations. Participants were asked to share their 

reactions toward the technologies presented and engage in a thoughtful 

conversation about how such platforms might be used to optimize the 

museum experience and increase visitor engagement, both in gallery and 

online. 

Conversation Two: Storytelling in a 21st Century Museum

Regent Michael Lynton moderated the second conversation: Storytelling in a 

21st Century Museum. Participants discussed ways to balance digital 

integration strategies with content and how to harness technology’s power to 

connect with and engage audiences.

INFORMAL LUNCH

Following discussions, Regents, directors, Smithsonian leadership, and 

company representatives gathered for an informal lunch, to provide all 

participants with an opportunity to meet and casually engage in conversations 

about the morning program. 

AFTERNOON SESSION

REGENTS’ BUSINESS SESSION

The Chancellor called the afternoon session to order at approximately 1:00 

p.m., and Regents and Smithsonian leadership convened at Microsoft to 

conduct Smithsonian business. During the Regents’ business session, directors 

and company representatives were invited to participate in guided tours on the 

National Mall featuring the collections of the National Museum of Natural 

History (“NMNH”) and the Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors exhibition at the 

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. 

REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF THE SMITHSONIAN’S NEW STRATEGIC PLAN

Strategic Planning Committee Co-Chairs, Regent Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson and 

Sant Director of the National Museum of Natural History Dr. Kirk Johnson 

presented the Smithsonian’s new strategic plan for 2017-2022 for the Board’s 

review and consideration. 
5

Work of the Strategic 

Planning Committee

Review of New Plan

Adoption of Consent 

Agenda

The Board was briefed on the work of the Strategic Planning Committee, which 

was formed by the Secretary in September 2016 and charged with leading the 

effort to formulate and draft the Smithsonian’s new strategic plan. Since 

September, the Strategic Planning Committee has solicited valuable feedback 

from staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders from across the Smithsonian in 

order to identify unit and Institutional priorities for the next five years. The 

Committee formed teams and met with staff from every unit, including the 

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Massachusetts; the Cooper Hewitt, 

Smithsonian Design Museum; and the National Museum of the American 

Indian in New York; and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in 

Panama. Additionally, 56 Smithsonian unit directors provided background 

information, responded to six strategic questions, and participated in panel 

sessions moderated by members of the Committee. In total, the Committee 

analyzed feedback from nearly one in every six Smithsonian employees and 

from all Smithsonian unit directors. The Committee has worked under an 

aggressive timeline to effectively gather and analyze data, which would be 

worked into the development and drafting of the new plan. 

Dr. Jackson and Dr. Johnson presented the new plan, which is formed around 

seven strategic goals that shape the future of the Institution and build upon 

the Smithsonian’s strengths. The Board agreed that the new plan accurately 

reflects the Smithsonian’s goals, mission, and future strategic direction. 

Further, the Board provided perspectives on the Smithsonian’s role as a 

convener, as well as its perceived strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and 

threats. The Board agreed that a strong communication and implementation 

plan will be essential for successful execution of the plan. Upon motion duly 

made and seconded, the Board provided approval for the Secretary and his 

designees to share the new strategic plan with key external stakeholders, 

including Office of Management and Budget and the United States Congress. 

See attached Actions 2017.04.01 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

The Board thanked Dr. Jackson and Dr. Johnson, on behalf of the entire 

Smithsonian, for rising to a very difficult challenge and successfully leading the 

charge to develop a truly outstanding plan that will effectively shape the 

Smithsonian’s future.

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

The Board reviewed the meeting’s Consent Agenda (“Agenda”). Procedures for

the Board’s use of the Agenda mandate that an item will remain on the Agenda 

only by unanimous consent, and any Regent may ask the Office of the Regents 

to remove an item from the Agenda for discussion by providing three-days’ 

notice in advance of the scheduled Board meeting. 
6

Earth Optimism Summit

Upcoming Exhibition

Action items on the April 3, 2017, meeting Agenda include: the appointment 

and reappointment of candidates to nine Smithsonian Advisory Boards; the 

proposed amendments to the bylaws of the National Museum of African 

American History and Culture Council; the approval of minutes from the 

January 30, 2017, Board meeting; and the approval of five proposed gift actions 

and one administrative action. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the 

Board voted to adopt the Agenda, constituting the approval of all action items 

listed therein. 

See attached Actions 2017.04.02 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY

Secretary Skorton updated the Board on the state of the Smithsonian.

The Secretary briefed the Board on the first Earth Optimism Summit

(“Summit”), to be hosted by the Smithsonian in its role as a convener on Earth 

Day weekend, April 21 through April 23. The Summit will include a three-day 

program, featuring more than 150 scientists, thought leaders, philanthropists, 

conservationists, and civic leaders, and will highlight the ideas and actions that 

are working in conservation and discuss potential methods to scale and 

replicate such actions. The Summit is organized by the Smithsonian 

Conservation Commons, which is a newly assembled team of conservation 

experts from the across the Smithsonian whose goal is to tackle complex 

conservation problems on a global scale. Members of the Conservation 

Commons hail from the Smithsonian’s Conservation Biology Institute, the 

National Zoological Park, the National Museum of Natural History, the 

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, and the Smithsonian Environmental 

Research Center. The Secretary encouraged Regents to attend and noted that 

the Summit speaker sessions would take place at the Ronald Reagan 

International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. and that Board Chair Mr. 

Rubenstein is expected to deliver remarks during the event. 

Next, the Secretary updated the Board on an upcoming exhibit at the 

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (“Hirshhorn”), AI WeiWei: Trace, 

scheduled to open on June 28, 2017. The exhibition explores issues around 

freedom of expression and human rights. The issues of persecution for speech 

and expression and the ubiquity of surveillance are tied to the artist’s own life 

experiences—like his imprisonment in China—and reappear as themes 

throughout his work. The Hirshhorn displayed his work in a 2012 retrospective 

that remains one of the museum’s best-attended exhibitions. Hirshhorn staff is 

coordinating closely with Smithsonian leadership and to take proactive steps to 

ensure the work is understood to be the personal expression of the artist, and 

to contextualize it within the larger world of contemporary art. The Secretary 

reminded the Board about the SD 603 review process and steps taken to 

evaluate potential risks. 
7

Update on Personnel 

Searches

Update on Pending 

Regent Appointments

Review of 2016 SelfAssessment Results

Lastly, the Secretary provided an update on the personnel searches across the 

Smithsonian. There are currently eight active searches underway, including the 

search for a Provost, Assistant Secretary for Education and Access, Assistant 

Secretary for Communications and External Affairs, Director of the Office of 

Government Relations, and the Director of the Museum of African Art. He also 

reported that 10 of the searches that were active when he arrives at the 

Smithsonian have now been filled. Most recently, Stephanie Stebich has been 

appointed the Director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, succeeding 

Betsy Broun who retired from the Smithsonian last November. Stephanie 

currently serves as the Executive Director of the Tacoma Art Museum, a 

position she has held since 2005. She assumes her tenure the same day as the 

Regents’ April 3, 2017, meeting.

REPORT OF THE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Governance and Nominating Committee (“Committee”) Chair Ambassador 

Barbara Barrett presented the report of the Committee’s. Ambassador Barrett 

provided an update on the status of pending Regent appointments. 

In January, the Board nominated Michael Govan and Roger W. Ferguson, Jr., to 

succeed Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson and Robert P. Kogod when their Regent terms 

come to an end on May 5, 2017. In January, the Board also re-nominated 

Steve Case for a second term as a Citizen Regent, as his current term is set to 

expire on April 25, 2017. Ambassador Barrett reminded the Board that Citizen 

Regents are appointed for a statutory term of six years by a Joint Resolution of 

the Congress, which is then signed into law by the President. 

She reported that as of April 3, 2017, the U.S. Senate had passed all three 

appointments, which are now awaiting action from the U.S. House of 

Representatives (“House”). Mr. Govan, Mr. Ferguson, and Mr. Case all have 

upcoming meetings scheduled with the Committee on House Administration, 

which is the primary authorizing and oversight Committee for the Smithsonian 

in the House. Following approval by the House, the legislation will be sent to 

the President for signature. The Board expects that all three nominated 

regents will be formally appointed in time for the June 12, 2017, Regents’ 

meeting. 

The Board then reviewed the results from its fiscal year 2016 annual selfassessment, which was circulated to the Board on February 9, 2017. 

Ambassador Barrett was pleased to report that the Office of the Regents had 

received 14 completed assessments from the 17 Regents on the Board, which 

brings the Regents very close to full participation. The assessment results 

indicated general agreement on the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the 

current governance structure. The Board agreed that more opportunities to 

participate in strategic discussions would advance Regent engagement and 

prove beneficial to the Smithsonian. The Board also expressed an interest in 
8

Proposed Special Act 

Award

“Gaterkeeper” Reports

Closing Reception at A&I

participating in more off-site meetings held in Smithsonian locations other than 

the Castle, to better understand and experience more of the Smithsonian’s 

museums, research, and cultural centers. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: COMPENSATION MATTER

The Board then entered into an executive session to discuss a compensation 

matter. Compensation and Human Resources Committee Chair John Fahey led 

the Board’s discussion regarding a proposed special act award for the Assistant 

Secretary for Advancement who will be retiring in the near-term. Upon motion 

duly made and seconded, the Board approved the Compensation and Human 

Resources Committee’s recommendation for the Assistant Secretary for 

Advancement. 

See attached Actions 2017.04.03 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

EXECUTIVE SESSION: “GATEKEEPER” REPORTS

The Board then conducted an additional executive session with the 

Smithsonian’s Gatekeepers, including the Secretary, General Counsel, Inspector 

General, and Chief Financial Officer.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at

approximately 2:55 p.m., after which Mr. Rubenstein, and the Secretary 

traveled to the Smithsonian Castle in Washington, D.C. to address questions 

from the media. Regents and Smithsonian leadership travelled to the National 

Mall to reconvene with directors and company representatives for a closing 

program at the Arts & Industries Building in Washington, D.C.

Respectfully submitted,

David J. Skorton

Secretary
APPENDIX A: ACTIONS OF THE

APRIL 3, 2017, MEETING OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS

VOTED that the Board of Regents approved that the Secretary share the Smithsonian’s new 

Strategic Plan for 2017-2022 with the Office of Management and Budget and with the United 

States Congress. [2017.04.01]

VOTED that the Board of Regents adopts the Consent Agenda, which constitutes the approval 

of all action items listed therein. [2017.04.02]

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the minutes of the January 30, 2017, 

meeting of the Board of Regents.

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed amendments to the bylaws of 

the National Museum of African American History and Culture Council.

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the proposed slate of candidates for 

appointment or reappointment to nine Smithsonian advisory boards.

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of Southwest Airlines Co. to 

the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and names the Southwest Airlines 

Welcome Center for a period 10 years from the date that the recognition signage is 

installed. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of the Thomas W. Haas 

Foundation to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and names the 

Thomas W. Haas We All Fly Gallery for a period of 10 years from the date the Gallery 

opens to the public.

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of the National Association 

of Realtors to the National Museum of American History and accepts the terms of the 

sponsorship agreement. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of the Taubman Foundation 

for the Arts to the National Museum of American History and names the Nicholas and 

Eugenia Taubman Hall of Music, for a period of 20 years from the date the space is 

opened to the public, or until the next major renovation, whichever occurs later. 

VOTED that the Board of Regents recognizes the generosity of Dr. Coralyn Wright 

Whitney to the National Museum of Natural History and names the Coralyn W. Whitney 

Basecamp for a period of 20 years or until the next major renovation, whichever occurs 

later. 
2

VOTED that the Board of Regents creates a quasi-endowment for the benefit of the 

Smithsonian American Art Museum to support stewardship of holdings by and related 

to Joseph and Robert Cornell in the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s permanent 

collection and the Museum’s Joseph Cornell Study Center. Further, voted that the 

Board of Regents authorizes the transfer of funds identified for this purpose.

VOTED that the Board of Regents approves the Compensation and Human Resources 

Committee’s compensation recommendation for the Assistant Secretary for Advancement. 

[2017.04.03]