Virginia B. Clark is the Smithsonian’s director of External Affairs, overseeing the Office of Development and the Office of Sponsored Projects—the two pan-institutional units involved in building non-appropriated financial support for the Smithsonian. She joined the Smithsonian in summer 2002.

Clark directs Smithsonian-wide development activities and shares supervisory responsibility with the directors of the museum and research centers for fund raising staff and programs. She also oversees the Office of Sponsored Projects, which manages the Institution’s income from contracts and governments grants.

Clark is a 27-year veteran of professional development work at the University of Pennsylvania, where she served as associate dean for external affairs at the Wharton School before becoming vice president for development and alumni relations. In 2002, under her leadership, the university raised $370 million and completed a strategic plan for its next capital campaign. The university received the 2003 Case Award for Overall Performance.

Clark is a trustee of Salem International University. Previously, she served on the boards of The Haverford Trust Company, Southern Ohio Colleges, The Philadelphia Education Fund, and The Morris Arboretum. She served as president of the American Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that awards academic scholarships to economically disadvantaged or in-need career college students. Clark is a graduate of Boston University (1971).

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