Founding Director

As the founding director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino, Jorge Zamanillo provides leadership and strategic direction for the museum.

In addition, he guides the museum’s comprehensive plan to preserve, document, display/interpret and promote knowledge of U.S. Latino history, art and culture.

Director's Biography

Jorge Zamanillo, Museum Director

Deputy Director

Virginia “Ginny” Gomez is deputy director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino. In her role, Gomez works with the museum’s founding director to oversee and coordinate the overall planning, direction, staffing and management of the museum's programs and operations.

She also leads day-to-day management of finance and operations, external affairs, content and interpretation, and audience engagement. 

Deputy Director's Biography

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees of the National Museum of the American Latino advises the Museum Director and Smithsonian Leadership on key decisions relating to the Museum’s development, and partners with the Institution on outreach and fundraising efforts.  

The Board of Trustees includes a member of the Smithsonian Board of Regents, the Smithsonian Secretary and Under Secretary for Museums and Culture, two members of Congress, and thirteen citizens appointed by the Board of Regents.  

The members appointed to the board of trustees are: 

Henry R. Muñoz III
Chair

Entrepreneur, Designer, and Philanthropist

Margarita Paláu-Hernández
Vice Chair 
Founder and CEO, Hernández Ventures

Dr. J. Mario Molina
Vice Chair
Principal of JM Molina Investments

Raul A. Anaya
President of Business Banking, Bank of America 

Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA)
Appointed by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus 

Emilio Estefan
Producer, Director, and Entrepreneur CEO, Estefan Enterprises, Inc. 

José E. Feliciano
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Clearlake Capital

Rep. Jennifer González-Colón (R PR)
Appointed by the Congressional Hispanic Conference

Rick Gomez
Executive Vice President & Chief Food & Beverage Officer, Target Corporation

Alberto Ibargüen
President & CEO, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Eva Longoria
Actor, Producer and Director
Founder, Eva Longoria Foundation 

Ileana Musa
Managing Director, Head of International Banking and Lending, Morgan Stanley

Soledad O'Brien
Journalist, Author and Producer
Founder & CEO, Soledad O'Brien Productions 

José Luis Prado
Executive Advisor Partner, Wind Point Partners

Franklin D. Raines
Member, Smithsonian Board of Regents

Mike Suco
President & CEO, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc.

Sofía Vergara
Actress, Television Producer, and Philanthropist 

Carla Vernón
Chief Executive Officer, The Honest Company

Ex officio

Lonnie G. Bunch III
Secretary of the Smithsonian

Kevin Gover
Under Secretary for Museums and Culture
Smithsonian Institution

NMAL Board Alumni

José Andrés
Chef, Humanitarian, Author, and Founder of José Andrés Group and World Central Kitchen

Hon. Jaime Herrera Beutler
Former Member of Congress

Alfredo Rivera
President, Coca-Cola North America