Past President, Museum of Science
Dr. David Ellis, upon his retirement from the Museum of Science, began a new career as interim administrator, board member, consultant and arbitrator. He has served as Interim Executive Director of the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Interim President of the Boston Children’s Museum, Interim Executive Director of the Berkshire Museum, and as Interim President of Manomet, Inc.
David has also served as the President of The Museum Group (composed of 30 independent museum consultants), and as the first Senior Fellow with The Boston Foundation in 2003-2004. He has been active as a consultant for museums/science centers and institutions of higher education, and as a board member for non-profit institutions of various types. David served as President and Director of the Museum of Science, one of the world’s largest science and technology centers, for more than 10 years. Prior to joining the Museum of Science, he served as President of Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, and held a variety of faculty and administrative positions at the University of New Hampshire. David has been an arbitrator and has consulted for many years both domestically and internationally. He currently serves on the boards of the Conservation Law Foundation, Enpower Success Corps, Manomet and the Caterpillar Laboratory. He also serves as a trustee emeritus of the Museum of Science and Lafayette College. David has served as Chair of the Board of Directors of Elderhostel, Chair of the Board of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Chair of the Board of Advisors of the MIT Museum and as a Member and Chair of the Directorate on Education and Human Resources of the National Science Foundation. He also served formerly on many boards including the American Alliance of Museums, the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences and Sweet Readers. David has received several honorary degrees and the Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award from Haverford College. David holds an AB in Chemistry from Haverford College, a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard University Graduate School of Business.
