Dr. Marilyn Simons was the first female in her family to attend college and earned a Ph.D. in economics from Stony Brook University. For decades, Dr. Simons has championed education and research, paving the way for women to lead in fields where they’ve been historically underrepresented. Together with her late husband, Dr. James Harris Simons, she founded the Simons Foundation in 1994, sparking a revolution in research across mathematics, physical sciences, and life sciences.

Her impact doesn’t stop there. As the newly appointed chair of the board at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a world-renowned research facility, Dr. Simons continues to lead with a focus on groundbreaking science and innovation. In New York City, her dedication to K-12 education, particularly for underserved communities, is evident through her involvement with the Learning Spring School and the East Harlem Scholars Academy, where she supports children on the autism spectrum.