NHMLAC Announces Leadership Changes to Board of Trustees

Author: Newsroom

Los Angeles, CA (July 25, 2024) — Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga, President and Director of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC), today announced leadership changes to the Museums’ Board of Trustees for the next fiscal year, effective July 1, 2024. Former Board of Trustees President Heather de Roos has been named Board of Trustees Chair, succeeding Shannon Faulk, who held each of those roles before Ms. de Roos. Former Board of Trustees Vice President Megan McGowan Epstein has been named Board of Trustees President, and Alex Kendall has been named Board of Trustees Vice President.

“We are always incredibly thankful and fortunate to have a Board of Trustees committed to the vision and values of NHMLAC,” said Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga. “As an organization dedicated to building and uplifting our local community through nature and culture, NHMLAC depends on the enthusiastic and astute leadership of our Board of Trustees. I am excited to continue this partnership with Heather, Megan and Alex, along with the rest of the board as we build toward an incredible future of expansion, historic conservation and cultural influence in changing our community for the better. With the upcoming opening of our new wing and community hub, NHM Commons, we look forward to the endless possibility of exploring and discovering new ways to bring our scientific and cultural mission to life and including our audiences in that journey.”

The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) is a public-private partnership between the non-profit Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History Foundation and the County of Los Angeles and includes the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park and La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park. NHMLAC is governed by dedicated individuals serving on the Natural History Museum Foundation 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. The Board of Trustees currently has 40 members, including Governors. 

“It’s a great honor to continue serving the NHMLAC Board of Trustees and all our constituencies, “ said Megan McGowan Epstein. “I look forward to seeing and contributing to the growth and expansion of the Museums over the next several years as President. Having served on the Board for many years now — including most recently as its Vice President — I believe our overall vision is to promote curiosity, education and responsibility for our cultural, scientific and historical worlds in Los Angeles and beyond. My personal values align with and embody the spirit of our Museums to be adventurous, bold, authentic and inclusive. I look forward to the continued success and development of the Museums both as an organization and as a foundational part of the community.”

Heather de Roos is a graduate of William & Mary’s M.B.A. program, and resides in Manhattan Beach with her husband and son. She is a civic leader and the Director of The Carol H. and Kevin W. Sharer Education Foundation. Ms. de Roos actively supports area schools through PTA leadership roles and is currently PTA VP of Communications for Mira Costa High School. She also serves as a Board member for the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation and as Chair of the annual Art Contest for the Neptunian Woman’s Club. She was elected to the Board on December 19, 2012 and served as Vice President of the Board from September 2019 through June 2021. On June 16, 2021, Ms. de Roos was elected as President of the Board.

Megan McGowan Epstein is a Managing Director in Private Wealth Management (PWM) within Asset and Wealth Management (AWM) at Goldman Sachs. She serves on the Market Intelligence Committee, PWM Advisors Council Captains Committee and the AWM LGBTQ+ Network. Ms. McGowan Epstein also serves as a member of the Endowment Committee for the Wilshire Boulevard Temple. She earned a BA from Columbia College, Columbia University in 1994, her chef’s degree at the Institute of Culinary Education in 1998 and an MBA from Harvard University in 2000. She was elected to the Board on December 12, 2018 and was elected as Vice President of the Board in June 2021.

Alexander Kendall is a private investor and the President of Sarissa Consulting. He is a graduate of Stanford University, where he earned an AB/BS in Economics, Math, and Political Science. Mr. Kendall was elected to the Board on November 5, 2019 and serves as the Chair of the Financial Stewardship Committee.