Dr. Megan Bang and Dr. Mariko Silver to join MacArthur’s Board of Directors.
Two leaders known for driving meaningful transformation have been elected to join the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Board of Directors. Dr. Megan Bang, a scholar of the learning sciences whose work centers Indigenous communities, will join the Board at its September 2025 meeting. Dr. Mariko Silver, a leader in philanthropy, higher education, government, and the arts, will join the Board at its June 2025 meeting.
“I’m honored to welcome our new Board colleagues,” incoming Board Chair Juan Salgado said. “They both bring a bold vision, purpose-driven leadership, and a commitment to pursuing progress, which will be instrumental as the Board navigates opportunities ahead.”
An Esteemed Professor, Bang Brings Academic Insight and Indigenous Perspective
Dr. Bang is the James E. Johnson Professor of the Learning Sciences and director of the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research at Northwestern University. Widely known for her scholarship on human learning and development with respect to the natural world, Bang’s work focuses on issues of human learning and decision making central to climate change, adaptation, sustainability, and social and civic life. She has been centrally engaged with Indigenous communities and the development and study of forms of intergenerational education and cultural regeneration to support planetary and communal well-being.
Bang previously served as senior vice president at the Spencer Foundation, which funds educational research and training, and as a faculty member at University of Washington in Seattle. In both roles she maintained a focus on cultural learning and transformative education.
“I’m honored to welcome our new Board colleagues. They both bring a bold vision, purpose-driven leadership, and a commitment to pursuing progress.”
An active member of the broader academic community, Bang is a member of the National Academies of Education, American Academy of Arts & Science, the Board of Science Education at the National Academy of Sciences, a fellow of the American Education Research Association and International Society of Learning Sciences.
Bang received a Bachelor’s degree in political science with a political theory concentration from Williams College and a PhD in learning sciences from Northwestern University.
An Innovator Across Sectors, Silver Brings Expertise in Strategic Leadership
Dr. Silver is the president and CEO of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (LCPA) where she is advancing bold initiatives in support of the institution’s commitment to advance arts for all and to champion a range of artistic voices. These efforts include reimagining the west side of LCPA’s campus and welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world to free and Choose-What-You-Pay programming. In March of this year, she secured the largest single programming gift in LCPA’s history–$50 million to create the Pasculano Collaborative for Contemporary Dance.
Prior to this role, Silver served as president and CEO of the Henry Luce Foundation where she oversaw the creation of new program initiatives, prioritized funding exhibitions of and by American artists of color in art museums across the country, and more than doubled the foundation’s funding commitment to Indigenous communities.
As former president of Bennington College, Silver secured the largest endowment gift in its history, welcomed its biggest and most diverse classes, and forged lasting partnerships with arts and cultural institutions.
During the Obama administration, Silver served as acting assistant secretary and deputy assistant secretary for international policy for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Before that, she was Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano’s policy advisor for economic development, innovation, and higher education. Prior to her government service, Silver was instrumental in the transformation and expansion of Arizona State University.
“Their track records of driving meaningful change—while bringing stakeholders along and ensuring a wide range of voices are heard—reflect the collaborative leadership we welcome.”
Silver is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and of the National Academy of Public Administration. She serves on the boards of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.
Silver received a Bachelor’s in history from Yale University; a Master of Science in science and technology policy from SPRU, University of Sussex (UK); and a PhD in economic geography from UCLA.
“I am eager for Megan and Mariko to bring their perspectives to the table,” MacArthur President John Palfrey said. “Their track records of driving meaningful change—while bringing partners along and ensuring a wide range of voices are heard—reflect the collaborative leadership we welcome at the Foundation.”
MacArthur's Board of Directors sets policies and strategy for the Foundation; approves grantmaking areas, initiatives, and grants; and oversees investments and the audit process.