Los Angeles, CA (December 20, 2021) – The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) today announced that Leslie Negritto has been named as the institution’s new Chief Financial Officer. Negritto is joining NHMLAC from the Claremont Graduate University (CGU), a private graduate school that is part of the Claremont Colleges Consortium, where she is the current Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. She is expected to join the Museums in February 2022.
Negritto will report directly to President and Director Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga and will work in tandem with her and other members of the executive team on setting strategic direction to meet the institution’s financial goals. In addition, she will be responsible for supporting the Museum’s Board of Trustees and committees, operating departments, and administrative management with necessary financial information and forecasting; establishing and maintaining relationships with external financial organizations, auditors and government agencies; oversee NHMLAC’s financial processing and cross-departmental reporting functions, while providing support and analysis of mission-critical activities and complex divisions; work with internal colleagues on monitoring and maximizing the revenue generation portion of the Museums’ stores, cafes and theaters; and lead the current Finance team to refine and execute NHMLAC’s vision and strategic direction.
NHMLAC is the organization that oversees the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM) in Exposition Park, La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park, and the William S. Hart Museum in Newhall. Negritto will join an executive team that includes Dr. Bettison-Varga, as well as the Chief Deputy Director, Senior Vice President of Education, Exhibitions and Community Engagement, Senior Vice President of Research and Collections, Chief Advancement Officer, Chief Talent Officer, Chief Strategy and External Relations Officer, and Chief Digital Officer. Negritto will replace current CFO Robin Aspinall, who announced her retirement this past Fall.
“We are excited to welcome Leslie to NHMLAC. Her many years of collaboration, achievements, and proven financial management, along with her thoughtful approach to working effectively with diverse stakeholders, will be a tremendous asset to our institution as we enter a new phase of growth,” said Dr. Bettison-Varga. “Her vast experience and commitment to driving organizational excellence across the private sector will surely enable us to achieve our strategic and operational goals.”
Negritto’s current portfolio at CGU includes accounting and financial services, budgeting and forecasting, treasury and investments, risk management, human resources and payroll, operations and auxiliary services, information technology, audit, real estate, procurement, and grants and contracts accounting.
Throughout her time at CGU, Negritto was responsible for fiscal and operational leadership. She joined the university as a budget director and then served as administrative dean at the Peter F. Drucker & Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management. She also held the position of associate vice president for finance and administration before being promoted to vice president and chief operating officer. Previously, Leslie was a senior consultant at Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), where she designed custom software applications and re-engineered business processes for clients in the consumer products practice.
“I am excited to join the Natural History Museum Foundation and to be a part of the work they do to make natural and cultural history experiences accessible to the citizens of Los Angeles County and to visitors from around the world,” said Negritto. “Being a part of an organization that educates, entertains and inspires is an amazing opportunity.”
Negritto holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Pomona College and a Master of Pacific International Affairs from UC San Diego’s Graduate School of Global Policy and Strategy. She lives in Claremont with her husband, Felipe, and has three sons.
About the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County
The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) include the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park, La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park, and the William S. Hart Museum in Newhall. They operate under the collective vision to inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds. The museums hold one of the world’s most extensive and valuable collections of natural and cultural history—more than 35 million objects. Using these collections for groundbreaking scientific and historical research, the museums also incorporate them into on- and offsite nature and culture exploration in L.A. neighborhoods, and a slate of community science programs—creating indoor-outdoor visitor experiences that explore the past, present, and future. Visit NHMLAC.ORG for adventure, education, and entertainment opportunities.
MEDIA CONTACT
Sally Marquez, smarquez@nhm.org