Leadership & Board of Trustees

The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) are governed through a public-private partnership, composed of dedicated individuals serving on our Board of Trustees and the County-appointed Commission of the Board of Governors. Together, the Executive Leadership Team and the Board work to champion the museums' vision, protect the collections, and carry out their strategic goals.

Executive Leadership

The Executive Leadership Team works to advance the museums' strategic priorities—to commit to principles of accessibility and engagement, and to become a hub for discoveries and dialogue around critical issues of global significance and local impact.

The Executive Leadership Team collaborates with the Board of Trustees, various government agencies, private entities and foundations, along with over 480 NHMLAC employees, to inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds.

Paul Bessire
Chief Advancement Officer
Sabrina Burris
Associate Vice President, IDEA
Luis M. Chiappe, Ph.D.
Senior VP, Research & Collections and Curator, Dinosaur Institute
Regan Dunn, Ph.D.
Interim Assistant Deputy Director and Assistant Curator, La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
Shana Mathur
Chief Strategy and External Relations Officer
Nooshin Nathan
Chief Talent Officer
Leslie Negritto
Chief Financial and Operating Officer
Laurel Robinson
Vice President, Learning and Engagement

Board of Trustees 2024–2025

The Board of Trustees serves to support all aspects of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC).

Currently consisting of 15 Governors, elected by the County Board of Supervisors, and 25 museum-elected Trustees, the Board works as a cohesive team with the Executive Leadership Team to ensure the missions and values of NHMLAC are upheld, and that the museums fulfill their roles as, of, for, and with L.A.

* Denotes members of the Board of Governors

Victoria Aparece 

Stacey Armato*

Anissa Balson

Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga, President and Director of the Museum

Michelle Black

Esther chui Chao

Heather de Roos, Chair of the Board of Trustees

Susan Dever*

Charlene Dimas-Peinado*

Nancy Edwards

Alan Epstein

William M. Garland, III

Richard Genow

Karen A. Hoffman

Michael Jones

Curtis C. Jung*, President of the Board of Governors

Deborah Kallick*

rita kampalath*

Lorri Kampfner

Rick Keller

Alexander KeNDALL,  Vice President of the Board of Trustees

Naomi Nakagama Kurata

Vince Lawler*

Margaret Levy*

Joseph Lumarda*

Walter N. Marks*

Gregg Martin

Megan McGowan Epstein, President of the Board of trustees

Diane G. Medina*

Richard Moss

Noramae R. Munster*

Joan Payden

Jenna Perlstein

Marty Preciado*

Robert Procop

Naomi Rainey-Pierson*

Mikaela J. Randolph*

Peter Scranton

Jeff Stibel

Jun Xu

 

Life Trustees 

From time to time the Board chooses to appoint former Trustees to the position of Life Trustee to recognize past service and to encourage continuing relationships with the museums.

Each Life Trustee is invited to attend meetings of the Board, but they do not vote.

Lynn W. Brengel

Neal H. Brockmeyer

Shannon Faulk

H. Frederick Christie

STANLEY GOLD

Paul G. Haaga, Jr.

sarah meeker jensen

DIANE NAEGELE

Patricia Lombard

Dr. Jane G. Pisano

Richard Roeder

Kevin Sharer

Sheldon Stone

Richard S. Volpert