The American Academy of Arts and Sciences has elected Marilyn H. Simons, chair of Friends of IHES, to its 2024 class of new members.

Membership in the Academy is one of the United States’ most prestigious honors in the arts and sciences. Established in 1780, the Academy aims to advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all people. The Academy highlighted Marilyn Simons’ role in scientific, cultural, and nonprofit leadership.

Over her decades-long career as a philanthropic leader, Marilyn Simons has advocated for increased philanthropic involvement in funding basic science research and improving education for underserved communities. In 1994, she co-founded the Simons Foundation with her husband, Jim Simons, and she led the Foundation as president until October 2021. Among her many other roles in philanthropic leadership, Marilyn Simons is the chair of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s board of trustees, a board member of the Turkana Basin Institute, a board member of the LearningSpring School, a board member of the East Harlem Scholars Academies and the founder and chair of Stony Brook Women’s Leadership Council.

Through the Simons Foundation as well as the Simons Foundation International, Marilyn and her late husband Jim Simons are IHES and Friends of IHES’ most important donors. With more than 60 million dollars in gifts and pledges, the Simons’ support to IHES has been unprecedented and transformative.