____________________________

1 Participated in the morning program only

2 Participated in the afternoon session only

MINUTES OF THE APRIL 9, 2018, 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 9, 2018. The Board conducted its third annual strategic meeting, which 

included an interactive breakfast program, a special morning meeting focused on science, and an 

afternoon business meeting at the National Museum of African American History and Culture 

(“NMAAHC”) in Washington, D.C. Also present were Regents:

The Chief Justice2

Senator John Boozman

Senator Patrick J. Leahy2

Senator David Perdue

Representative Tom Cole

Representative Sam Johnson2

Representative Doris Matsui

Ambassador Barbara M. Barrett

Steve Case, Vice Chair

John Fahey2

Michael Govan

Roger W. Ferguson, Jr.

Risa J. Lavizzo-Mourey

Michael Lynton

John W. McCarter, Jr.

David M. Rubenstein, Chair

The Vice President and Smithsonian National Board Chair Robert MacDonald were unable to attend 

the meeting. 

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

David J. Skorton, Secretary

Munazza Alam,1 Graduate Student, Department 

of Astronomy at Harvard University

Charles R. Alcock,1 Director, HarvardSmithsonian Center for Astrophysics

Patricia Bartlett,

1 Associate Provost for 

Education and Access, and Senior Advisor to 

the Secretary

Sagi Ben-Ami,1Instrument Scientist, HarvardSmithsonian Center for Astrophysics

Greg Bettwy, Chief of Staff to the Secretary

David Charbonneau,1 Professor of Astronomy,

Harvard University

Jonathan A. Coddington,1 Director of Global

Genome Initiative, Senior Scientist and

Curator of Arachnids and Myriapods,

Department of Entomology, National

Museum of Natural History

Pierre Comizzoli,1Senior Program Officer for 

Science, Office of the Provost/Under 

Secretary for Museums and Research

Stuart J. Davies,1Senior Staff Scientist,

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

John Davis, Provost/Under Secretary for

Museums and Research

Julie Eddy, Office of Representative Matsui

Kate Forester, Deputy Chief of Staff to the

Regents

Tracey Fraser,1 Director, Office of Sponsored 

Projects

Mallory Gianola, Special Assistant to the

Regents (recorder)

John Gibbons,1 Public Affairs Specialist

Vanessa L. González,1 Computational Genomics 

Scientist, Global Genome Initiative, National 

Museum of Natural History

Joshua Grogis, Office of Representative Cole
2

Amanda Hamilton,2 Office of Representative

Johnson

Lauren Hancock, Office of Senator Perdue

Cathy Helm, Inspector General

Toni-Marie Higgins, Office of Senator Boozman

Anson "Tuck" Hines,1 Director, Smithsonian

Environmental Research Center

Albert Horvath, Under Secretary for Finance &

Administration/Chief Financial Officer

Carlos Jaramillo,1Staff Scientist, Smithsonian

Tropical Research Institute

Cheryl Johnson, Director of the Office of

Government Relations

Kirk Johnson,1Sant Director, National Museum 

of Natural History

Robert Koestler,1 Director, Museum 

Conservation Institute

Matt Larsen,1Director, Smithsonian Tropical

Research Institute

Judith Leonard, General Counsel

Julissa Marenco, Assistant Secretary for

Communications and External Affairs

Amy Marino,1 Executive Officer, Office of the

Provost/Under Secretary for Museums and

Research

Era Marshall, Director for the Office of Equal

Employment and Minority Affairs

Kevin McDonald, Senior Adviser to Senator

Leahy

Scott Miller,1Deputy Under Secretary for

Collections and Interdisciplinary Support

Jeffrey P. Minear, Counselor to the Chief Justice

Steven Monfort,1Acting Director, Smithsonian’s 

National Zoo, and John and Adrienne Mars 

Director, Smithsonian Conservation Biology 

Institute

Suzan Murray,1 Chief Wildlife Veterinary

Medical Officer, DVM, DACZM, Smithsonian

Wildlife Health Program

Carol O’Donnell, Director, Smithsonian Science 

Education Center

Melissa Songer,1 Conservation Biologist,

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's 

Conservation Ecology Center

Robert J. Spiller, Assistant Secretary for

Advancement

Jared Stabach,1 Conservation Biologist,

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's 

Conservation Ecology Center

Ellen Stofan,1 Director, National Air and Space 

Museum

Porter N. Wilkinson, Chief of Staff to the

Regents
3

MORNING SESSION

Welcome and 

Introduction of Focus on 

Science

Interview with Rush D. 

Holt, Ph.D.

Focus on Science 

Conversations and 

Presentations

FOCUS ON SCIENCE AT THE SMITHSONIAN

The April 2018 strategic meeting, Focus on Science at the Smithsonian, began 

with an informal breakfast and opportunity for hands-on engagement. 

Regents, directors, and Smithsonian leadership visited stations featuring 

interactive content and items from the Smithsonian’s collection. Participants 

engaged in conversations with content experts from the Smithsonian’s 

Biodiversity Heritage Library, Museum Conservation Institute, Environmental 

Research Institute, Science Education Center, and Tropical Research Institute. 

INTERVIEW WITH RUSH D. HOLT, PH.D.

Following the science exhibits, Regents, directors, and Smithsonian leadership, 

convened for the start of the formal Focus on Science program. Press Secretary 

for Science Johnny Gibbons welcomed everyone, and introduced Chair of the 

Board David M. Rubenstein and CEO of the American Association for the 

Advancement of Science (“AAAS”) Dr. Rush D. Holt. Dr. Holt gave a brief 

history of his career and highlighted the roles he has taken to integrate science 

into policymaking, society, and life. Mr. Rubenstein and Dr. Holt discussed the 

relationship between science and politics, STEM education, climate change, 

and the Giant Magellan Telescope (“GMT”)3. They provided insight on the 

ways the Smithsonian can enhance scientific literacy on a local, state, national, 

and international scale. Following the interview, Dr. Holt entertained 

questions from the Board.

SCIENCE SEGMENTS

Experts from six Smithsonian units — National Museum of Natural History

(“NMNH”), National Zoological Park (“NZP”), Smithsonian Astrophysical 

Observatory (“SAO”), Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (“SCBI”), 

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (“SERC”), and Smithsonian 

Tropical Research Institute (“STRI”) — showcased the Smithsonian’s work in 

biological science, physical science, natural history, paleontology, astronomy, 

and astrophysics. Four segments were assembled to address the global 

scientific challenges of the present and future. 

3

The GMT will be the first in a new class of Extremely Large Telescopes, capable of exploring the cosmos with unprecedented clarity and 

sensitivity. It formally entered the construction phase in 2015 and is expected to begin operations early in the next decade. 
4

Presentation on 

Astronomy and 

Astrophysics

Panel Discussion on

Understanding 

Biological Diversity

Sidedoor Podcast Taping

on Sustaining Biological 

Diversity

Presentations on the 

Application and 

Research of Biological 

Diversity

Exploring the Universe: Pale Blue Dot

Munazza Alam, Sagi Ben-Ami, and David Charbonneau from the Harvard 

Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics presented the first segment: Exploring the 

Universe: Pale Blue Dot. Ms. Alam, Dr. Ben-Ami, and Dr. Charbonneau shared 

the tools and techniques they use to discover and characterize planets orbiting 

other stars outside our solar system. As the list of new planets to explore 

continues to grow, SAO is developing technologies to detect evidence of life in 

their atmospheres, including the Giant Magellan Telescope and its GMTConsortium Large Earth Finder, or G-CLEF instrument. The scientists 

emphasized that the discoveries will impact disciplines from astronomy, 

physics, and biology to philosophy and the social sciences. Following the 

presentation, Ms. Alam, Dr. Ben-Ami, and Dr. Charbonneau entertained 

questions from the Board.

Understanding Biodiversity

Dr. Jonathan Coddington from NMNH, Dr. Stuart Davies from STRI, and Dr. 

Vanessa González from NMNH participated in a moderated panel discussion: 

Understanding Biodiversity. Participants discussed why biodiversity research at 

the Smithsonian is urgent and important to maintain healthy ecosystems, 

which are essential for human well-being. The conversation focused on the 

exploration of ecosystem functioning and environmental change, the 

understanding of biodiversity and genomic research, and effective strategies 

for species and ecosystem conservation. Following the panel discussion, the 

content experts answered questions from the Board.

Sustaining Biodiversity

Tony Cohn, host of the Smithsonian’s pan-Institutional podcast Sidedoor, sat 

down with Melissa Songer and Jared Stabach from SCBI for a live podcast 

taping on conservation and biodiversity management. Dr. Songer and Dr. 

Stabach shared stories about biology, drivers of extinction, landscape function, 

and ecosystem health as it pertains to individual species. Discussions focused 

on Dr. Songer’s research on the movements of Asian elephants and humanelephant conflict in changing landscapes in Asia, and Dr. Stabach’s research on 

the re-introduction of scimitar-horned oryx to the Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim 

Game Reserve in Chad. Following the podcast taping, they entertained 

questions from the Board.

Vignettes of Biodiversity: Application and Research

Carlos Jaramillo from STRI, Katrina Lohan from SERC, and Suzan Murray from 

NZP/SCBI presented the final Focus on Science segment. The series of talks 

focused on the relationship between people and biodiversity, and the impact 

on disease prevention, prediction, and globalization. 
5

Lunch and Strategic 

Discussions

Call to Order 

Executive Session

Report of the 

Chair of the Board

Topics included ecosystem reconstruction, paleobotany, wildlife surveillance, 

parasite diversity, wildlife diseases, and emerging pandemic threats to humans. 

A brief question and answer session followed the three talks. 

LUNCHEON PROGRAM

The Board participated in a working lunch, during which Secretary David 

Skorton led a strategic discussion on the Smithsonian’s role in the global 

scientific community. The Board along with Smithsonian directors and senior 

leadership engaged in a conversation focused on communication, fundraising, 

human resources, education, and developments in STEM.

AFTERNOON SESSION

REGENTS’ BUSINESS SESSION

The Chancellor called the afternoon session to order at 1:00 p.m. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The meeting of the Board began with an executive session to discuss personnel 

matters and board performance. The Board also voted on the reappointment 

of Regent Barbara Barrett for a second term as a citizen Regent of the Board of 

Regents. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted to approve 

for reappointment. Ambassador Barrett then recused herself from the 

discussion and vote. 

See attached Actions 2018.04.01 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A).

The executive session adjourned at approximately 1:42 p.m. and Smithsonian 

and Regent staff re-entered the meeting.

REPORT OF THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD AND 

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

Chair of the Board David M. Rubenstein recognized Ambassador Barrett for her 

active participation and leadership throughout the weekend as the Institution 

and its supporters celebrated the conclusion of the Smithsonian Campaign. 

Mr. Rubenstein also expressed his deepest sympathies on behalf of the Board 

to Congressman Cole, following the sudden passing of his Chief of Staff Sean 

Murphy. The Board expressed their condolences. Congressman Cole thanked 

the Board for their recognition. 
6

Adoption of the 

Consent Agenda

Campaign Update

Memorandum of 

Understanding

Smithsonian Institution 

Organizational Chart

The Consent Agenda (“Agenda”) was presented for the Board’s approval. Mr. 

Rubenstein led the discussion and vote. All time-sensitive and noncontroversial items not requiring independent discussion were packaged into 

one action on the Agenda. An item remains on the Agenda only by unanimous 

consent. Any Regent may ask the Office of the Regents to remove an item 

from the consent agenda for discussion, allowing for notice of three days prior

to the scheduled Board meeting. 

Action items listed on the April 9, 2018, meeting Agenda included: the 

recognition of former Smithsonian Secretary Robert McCormick Adams; the 

recognition of Sean Patrick Murphy, former Chief of Staff to Representative 

Tom Cole; the approval of minutes from the January 29, 2018, Board meeting; 

the approval of one proposed gift action and one administrative action; and 

the appointment and reappointment of candidates to eight Smithsonian 

Advisory Boards. 

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 2018.04.02 (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 summarized the Smithsonian Campaign celebration activities 

leading up to the Board meeting and thanked the Regents for their support and 

participation. He reviewed the final results of the Campaign, which 

successfully concluded on December 31, 2017. As previously reported, 

Campaign contributions totaled $1.88 billion from more than 535,000 donors 

representing all 50 states and 107 countries. The Secretary noted that more 

than 1,000 volunteers served on boards and regional committees during the 

life of the Campaign. 

Next, the Secretary briefed the Board on the Memorandum of Understanding 

(“MOU”) the Smithsonian executed with Aramco Affiliated Services Company. 

The nonbinding umbrella agreement will facilitate the exploration and 

execution of projects, programs, content, and public events of mutual interest 

between the Smithsonian and Saudi-based cultural, scientific, and educational 

institutions.

The Board then reviewed the organizational changes proposed by the 

Secretary and approved by the House and Senate Interior Appropriations 

Subcommittees. The changes include the integration of the education and 

access functions into the Provost’s office, under the leadership of the Associate 

Provost for Education and Access; title changes to two Under Secretary 
7

Update on 

Personnel Searches

American Women’s 

History Initiative

Hirshhorn Project 

Restaging

Torch Newsletter 

Article on Accessibility

positions; the realignment of the Office of International Relations to report to 

the Provost and Under Secretary for Museums, Education, and Research; and 

addition of the protection services function as a direct report to the Chief 

Operating Officer and Under Secretary for Finance and Administration.

Next, the Secretary introduced two new Smithsonian leaders and provided an 

update on three personnel searches across the Smithsonian. Secretary Skorton 

welcomed Julissa Marenco, the Assistant Secretary for Communications and 

External Affairs, who assumed her position on February 12. He also introduced 

Robert J. Spiller, the Assistant Secretary for Advancement, who began his 

tenure at the Smithsonian on March 12. The Secretary pointed out that there 

are currently three active executive searches underway, including the search 

for a President of Smithsonian Enterprises, the Elizabeth MacMillan Director of 

the National Museum of American History, and the Dame Jillian Sackler 

Director of the Freer-Sackler Galleries of Art. 

Secretary Skorton shared details relating to the planning phase of the 

Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative, a five-year, pan-Institutional 

initiative that will deepen understanding and appreciation of women’s 

contributions to society and public life, as well as the humanities, the sciences, 

and the arts—past, present, and future. He also thanked Representative 

Matsui for her participation in a special donation ceremony on March 7, at the 

National Museum of American History, where the Institution received objects 

from House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi representing her election as the 

first female Speaker of the House, including the wooden gavel given to her at 

her swearing-in on January 4, 2007, the burgundy suit she wore, and the 

original speech she gave that morning. 

The Secretary reminded the Board of the Institution’s decision to postpone the 

final two nights of the large-scale outdoor projection Hirshhorn Museum, 

Washington, D.C. (1988) by artist Krzysztof Wodiczko as part of the museum’s 

exhibition, Brand New: Art and Commodity in the 1980s. He reported that the 

decision to postpone the staging was made in close collaboration with the 

artist out of sensitivity and respect for the victims and families in the 

immediate aftermath of the February 14, school shooting in Parkland, Florida. 

The projection was presented the night of February 13 and the restaging was

shown on the evenings of March 7, 8, and 9. 

To close, the Secretary updated the board on accessibility and inclusion at the 

Smithsonian. He cited the new exhibition, Access+Ability, at the Cooper 

Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York. The exhibition features 

more than 70 innovative designs developed with and by people with a wide 

range of physical, cognitive, and sensory abilities. The exhibition was inspired 

by an Institution-wide effort to expand public accessibility to Smithsonian

collections and programs.
8

London Opportunity

“Gatekeeper” Reports

EXECUTIVE SESSION: LONDON OPPORTUNITY

The Board then entered into an executive session to discuss the Smithsonian’s 

proposed collaboration with the Victoria and Albert Museum (“V&A”) in 

London. Under Secretary for Finance & Administration/Chief Financial Officer

Al Horvath led the discussion regarding the programmatic strategies and 

business model of the proposed collaboration. Upon motion duly made and 

seconded, the Board approved the execution of the final binding agreement for 

a programmatic collaboration with the V&A. 

See attached Actions 2018.04.03 (Minutes of the Board of Regents, Appendix A). 

EXECUTIVE SESSION: “GATEKEEPER” REPORTS

The Board continued the 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 2:35 p.m., after which the Secretary moved to a separate room 

at NMAAHC to address questions from the media. 

Respectfully submitted,

David J. Skorton

Secretary