Ellen V. Futter

Ellen V. Futter (born September 21, 1949) is president of the American Museum of Natural History. She previously served as president of Barnard College for 13 years, and served on the board of directors of American International Group until July 2008. Futter was born in New York City and attended high school in Port Washington, New York. She spent two years at the University of Wisconsin–Madison before transferring to Barnard College, where she g... more

Ellen V. Futter (born September 21, 1949) is president of the American Museum of Natural History. She previously served as president of Barnard College for 13 years, and served on the board of directors of American International Group until July 2008. Futter was born in New York City and attended high school in Port Washington, New York. She spent two years at the University of Wisconsin–Madison before transferring to Barnard College, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa magna cum laude in 1971. She was elected as a student representative to the Barnard's board of trustees in 1971 and was subsequently elected to full membership to complete the term of Arthur Goldberg, former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Futter earned her J.D. from Columbia Law School in 1974. Futter began her career as an associate at the Wall Street law firm of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, where she practiced corporate law. In 1980, Futter took a leave of absence from Milbank, Tweed... less