# Lynne Munson

> Lynne Munson founded Great Minds in 2007 and led its development from a research and advocacy organization into a provider of mathematics, literacy, and science curricula. An art-history graduate, author, and former deputy chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, she became CEO emerita in January 2025 and announced plans to bring Geodes books directly to families.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO Emerita at Great Minds
- **Organizations:** Great Minds, National Endowment for the Humanities, American Enterprise Institute
- **From:** Heidelberg, Germany
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** BA in Art History, Northwestern University
- **Known for:** Founded Great Minds and led it for 18 years., Led the organization behind Eureka Math, Wit & Wisdom, Geodes, and PhD Science., Helped create Picturing America, distributing more than 75,000 sets of art images and teaching guides.

## Career timeline

- **1990-1993** — Special assistant to NEH chair Lynne Cheney.
- **1993-2001** — Worked at the American Enterprise Institute, including as a research fellow.
- **2000** — Published Exhibitionism: Art in an Era of Intolerance.
- **2001-2005** — Deputy chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
- **2004** — Represented the United States at UNESCO meetings in Australia and Japan.
- **2005** — Led a US government delegation to Afghanistan on cultural reconstruction.
- **2007** — Founded the organization now known as Great Minds.
- **2012** — Organization commissioned to develop New York mathematics curriculum, leading to EngageNY and Eureka Math.
- **2019** — Introduced Geodes at ASCD Empower19 in Chicago.
- **2025** — Became CEO emerita; John White succeeded her as CEO.

## Achievements

- Founded Great Minds and led it for 18 years.
- Led the organization behind Eureka Math, Wit & Wisdom, Geodes, and PhD Science.
- Helped create Picturing America, distributing more than 75,000 sets of art images and teaching guides.
- Published Exhibitionism in 2000.

## Latest updates

- **2025-01** — Announced transition to CEO emerita and a planned consumer-focused Geodes business; John White appointed CEO.

## Links

- Website: https://greatminds.org/about
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnemunson

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/lynne-munson
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-15