National Geographic Society Names Private Equity Veteran Kevin Maroni as Board Chair
Event summary
- Kevin J. Maroni, a private equity leader, elected chair of National Geographic Society's board of trustees on January 20, 2026.
- Maroni succeeds Jean Case after 15 years of service, including a decade as chair.
- Fernando Trujillo, an aquatic ecologist and National Geographic Explorer, becomes the board's next Explorer trustee.
- Maroni brings six years of board experience, including roles in strategy and finance committees.
- Trujillo has dedicated over 35 years to Amazon conservation, including spearheading a global declaration for river dolphin protection in 2023.
The big picture
The National Geographic Society is entering a new era of strategic growth and innovation, marked by the election of Kevin Maroni as board chair. Maroni's extensive experience in private equity and nonprofit leadership is expected to drive the Society's impact, particularly as it expands its global exploration and conservation efforts. The addition of Fernando Trujillo as Explorer trustee ensures that the perspectives of the Society's Explorers are represented at the highest levels of governance, reflecting a broader industry trend towards inclusive and mission-driven leadership.
What we're watching
- Strategic Growth
- How Maroni's private equity background will influence the Society's strategic growth and innovation, particularly with the opening of the National Geographic Museum of Exploration this summer.
- Explorer Representation
- Whether Trujillo's role as Explorer trustee will significantly impact the board's decision-making and the Society's focus on global exploration and conservation.
- Mission Impact
- The pace at which the Society can accelerate its mission by elevating the work of its Explorers on a global stage under Maroni's leadership.