Jill Tiefenthaler, Chief Executive Officer of the National Geographic Society spoke with Economic Club Board Officer Lawrence Di Rita, President, Greater Washington, D.C., Bank of America on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
As CEO of one of the world's most iconic organizations, Tiefenthaler leads the Society’s mission-driven work, guiding a global community of National Geographic Explorers dedicated to illuminating and protecting the wonder of our world. Since becoming CEO in 2020, Tiefenthaler has ushered in a bold new era of growth and global impact, including the transformation of the National Geographic headquarters to include the Museum of Exploration. Under Tiefenthaler’s leadership, the Society has also achieved historic fundraising, raising over $200 million in 2025, the fourth consecutive year of raising over $100 million.
Previously, Tiefenthaler spent three decades in higher education, serving as president of Colorado College, provost at Wake Forest University, and professor of economics and associate dean at Colgate University. She holds a B.A. from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from Duke University.
