Harvard University’s Powerful Governing Board Under Spotlight Amid Turmoil

As Harvard University’s president, Claudine Gay, faces mounting scrutiny, the attention has turned to the influential board governing the university. The Harvard Corporation, also known as the President and Fellows of Harvard College, is responsible for hiring the university president and making major policy decisions. Despite the controversy surrounding Dr. Gay, the board has expressed support for her.

The Harvard Corporation consists of 13 members (one position currently vacant) who meet several times a year. They serve voluntarily and are not paid for their role. Established in 1650, the board is the oldest corporation in the Western Hemisphere. In 2010, it expanded from seven to 13 members to improve communication with the broader Harvard community.

Current Members of the Harvard Corporation

• Timothy R. Barakett: Founder of Atticus Capital and a philanthropist with leadership roles at Harvard.
• Kenneth I. Chenault: Chairman and managing director of General Catalyst, with extensive board experience.
• Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar: Former justice of the Supreme Court of California and faculty member at Stanford University.
• Paul J. Finnegan: Former president of the Harvard Alumni Association and founder of Madison Dearborn Partners.
• Claudine Gay: Harvard’s first Black president, serving concurrently as a member of the board.
• Biddy Martin: German studies scholar and former chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
• Karen Gordon Mills: Former administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and member of the National Economic Council.
• Diana L. Nelson: Former member of the Harvard Board of Overseers and recognized for her nonprofit work.
• Tracy Pun Palandjian: CEO and co-founder of Social Finance, dedicated to investing in underserved communities.
• Penny Pritzker: Lead member of the Harvard Corporation, billionaire businesswoman, and former U.S. secretary of commerce.
• Shirley M. Tilghman: Former president of Princeton University and renowned molecular biologist.
• Theodore V. Wells Jr.: Trial lawyer, co-chair of the litigation department at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.

These individuals play a crucial role in shaping the future of Harvard University and maintaining its standing as a renowned institution of higher education.