Jill Tiefenthaler, president of Colorado College since 2011, will leave her post this summer to become the chief executive officer of the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C. Dr. Tiefenthaler will be the first woman to lead the society in its 132-year history.
“I am so thrilled to take on this leadership role at the National Geographic Society at this exciting time,” said Dr. Tiefenthaler. “Given its unparalleled global reputation, strong board, dedicated staff, bold explorers and storytellers and new partnership with Disney through National Geographic Partners, the Society has never been better positioned to pursue its mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.”
A native of Iowa, Dr. Tiefenthaler is a graduate of St. Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana. After receiving a master’s degree and Ph.D. in economics from Duke University, she joined the faculty of Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, in 1991. At Colgate, she served as department chair, associate dean of the faculty, and senior adviser to the president. She then served as provost and professor of economics at Wake Forest University from 2007 to 2011.