The Hunt Institute welcomes new Chair and Vice Chair to Board of Directors

The Hunt Institute welcomes new Chair and Vice Chair to Board of Directors

Former United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez elected to leadership roles for the North Carolina-based education policy nonprofit’s Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2023

Media Contact: Thomas Rodgers

thomas@whiteboardadvisors.com | (601) 334-6655

Cary, N.C. – The Hunt Institute announced today former United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez were elected to serve as the new Board Chair and Vice Chair respectively. Secretary Duncan succeeds The Institute’s founder and namesake Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., who served for 20 years as Board Chair. Governor Martinez succeeds the Board’s inaugural Board Vice Chair, Thomas Lambeth. 

“I cannot think of two better people to serve the Board and The Hunt Institute than Secretary Duncan and Governor Martinez,” said President and CEO Dr. Javaid Siddiqi. “Even during this exciting period of growth and expansion at The Institute, top of mind for me always is how to keep us grounded in the legacy of Governor Hunt. These two bring with them many years of personal experiences with Governor Hunt and share his commitment to equitable access to quality education for all students. I look forward to seeing how they use their new roles to push his mission forward.” 

Over a career spanning nearly 30 years, Secretary Duncan has distinguished himself in a number of ways, perhaps most notably as the longest-serving Secretary of Education in American history, serving the Obama Administration from 2009 to 2015. Governor Martinez, meanwhile, has spent decades breaking glass ceilings, serving as New Mexico’s first female governor and the nation’s first female minority (Hispanic) governor from 2011 to 2018.

“I am excited to step into this new role as Vice Chair and serve The Institute in an even more meaningful way,” said Governor Martinez. “As a member of the Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows advisory board as well, I’ve seen firsthand the impact this organization continues to have on policy and policymakers across the country. As Vice Chair, I look forward to working with Secretary Duncan to ensure that impact continues to grow.”  

As Board leaders, the new Chair and Vice Chair will oversee all Institutional activities, including strategic planning and budget oversight. 

“I have admired Governor Hunt and his Institute for many years – he truly is one of my heroes in this space,” said Secretary Duncan. “I am deeply honored to have been elected to this position and to have the opportunity to lead the Board. The Institute has done a phenomenal job pushing the Governor’s vision forward and making real change in schools, districts, and states across the country and as Chair, I will do everything in my power to support the critical work being done and spread that vision even further.” 

Secretary Duncan and Governor Martinez were elected unanimously by the Board of Directors at the bi-annual Board meeting on June 1, 2023 to serve for the next two years. 

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About The Hunt Institute 

The Hunt Institute, an affiliate of the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy, is a recognized leader in the movement to transform public education. Marshaling expertise from a nationwide partner network since its establishment in 2001, The Institute brings together people and resources that help build and nurture visionary leadership and mobilize strategic action for greater educational outcomes and student success. For more information, please visit: http://www.hunt-institute.org/