WASHINGTON (Oct. 27, 2014)-Dawn Arnall, chair of National Geographic's International Council of Advisors; Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Distinguished Professor and Advisor in Marine Studies at Oregon State University; and Frederick J. Ryan Jr., publisher and chief executive officer of The Washington Post, have been appointed to the National Geographic Society board of trustees. Arnall was appointed to the board in April, and Lubchenco and Ryan were elected to the board earlier this month. They join 18 other trustees who are leaders in science, education, law, business, finance, government and public service.With a mission to inspire, illuminate and teach, the 126-year-old National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. It reaches more than 600 million people each month through its media platforms, products and events. It has funded over 11,000 scientific research projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy.
National Geographic is fortunate to have the additional counsel and experience of Dawn, Jane and Fred, who have impressive records of leadership and service in the fields of investment, philanthropy, science and the media, said Society Chairman John M. Fahey.
We are delighted to welcome our three new trustees to the board and know that National Geographic will benefit greatly from their expertise, knowledge and guidance in helping the Society embrace future opportunities and challenges, said National Geographic President and CEO Gary E. Knell.
Dawn Arnall is chair of National Geographic's International Council of Advisors. ICOA members are respected leaders, dedicated philanthropists and valued advisers united by an interest in global issues and a commitment to use philanthropic investments to support National Geographic's efforts to make a difference. Arnall is a member of the board of directors of Conservation International and a member of the George W. Bush Institute's Women's Advisory Board, and she serves on the executive committee of The Simon Wiesenthal Center. A seasoned executive with more than two decades of professional experience in the financial services and real estate industries, Arnall is an active investor in the energy, insurance and technology sectors. She is a supporter of animal rescue and conservation organizations, cancer research, and therapeutic education for mentally and physically challenged children.
Arnall obtained her B.A. and M.B.A from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. She lives in Aspen, Colorado.
Dr. Jane Lubchenco is a world-renowned environmental scientist who has deep experience in the worlds of science, academia, government and conservation. Nominated by President Obama in December 2008 as part of his Science Dream Team, Lubchenco was the under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from 2009 to 2013. Under her leadership, NOAA focused on restoring fisheries to sustainability and profitability, restoring oceans and coasts to a healthy state, protecting marine mammals and endangered species, ensuring continuity of the nation's weather and other environmental satellites, developing a Weather-Ready Nation, promoting climate science and delivering climate information and services to inform understanding and adaptation, strengthening science and ensuring scientific integrity at NOAA.
Lubchenco was the Haas Distinguished Visitor in Public Service at Stanford University for Spring Quarter 2013 before rejoining the faculty at Oregon State University. Her academic career as a professor began at Harvard University (1975-1977) and continued at Oregon State University (1977-2009) until her appointment as NOAA administrator.
She has served as president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the International Council for Science and the Ecological Society of America, and was a board member for 10 years on the National Science Board. She has served or serves on numerous National Academy of Sciences committees and several commissions, including the Pew Oceans Commission, the Joint Oceans Commission Initiative, the Aspen Institute Arctic Commission, the Council of Advisors for Google Ocean, the Blue Ribbon Panel for the World Bank's Global Partnership for Oceans and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network that advises UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.
Lubchenco is one of the most highly cited ecologists in the world; eight of her publications are recognized as Science Citation Classics. She is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, the Royal Society, the World Academy of Science and the Chilean Academy of Science. Lubchenco has received numerous awards, including a MacArthur genius award and 19 honorary doctorates.
She received her B.A. in biology from Colorado College, her M.S. in zoology from the University of Washington and a Ph.D. in ecology from Harvard University. Lubchenco lives in Corvallis, Oregon.
Fred Ryan was appointed publisher and CEO of The Washington Post and affiliated publishing businesses in September 2014. Until August 2014, he served as president and CEO of POLITICO, the Washington-based nonpartisan publication covering policy and politics, which he co-founded in 2007. Under his leadership, POLITICO was recognized with many honors, including a Pulitzer Prize, and was named by Fast Company magazine for excellence as one of the World's Most Innovative Companies.
From 1995 to 2014, Ryan was also president and COO of Allbritton Communications, an award-winning group of broadcast and cable television stations. NewsChannel 8, its local cable channel serving Washington, D.C., Mar
