Barbara Franklin has been an active member of professional organizations throughout her career, providing leadership and guidance on matters of governance, policy, and strategic planning in addition to financial support. She was the first woman to serve as Chairman of the Economic Club of New York (ECNY) (2003-2007), was the Chairman of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) (2009-2013), and was the first woman President of the Management Executives’ Society (MES) (2010-2012). She is a founding member of the Executive Women in Government (EWG) and of the Women’s Forum of Washington, D.C.
Franklin is a past Trustee of the Pennsylvania State University and a former member of the Board of Dean’s Advisors of the Harvard Business School. She received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Pennsylvania State University in 1972 and the Alumni Achievement Award from The Harvard Business School in 2004. Franklin has also received Honorary Degrees from the University of New Haven, University of Hartford, Drexel University, Bryant College, and Briarwood College.
Chairman for Not-for-Profit Organizations
- The National Association of Corporate Directors, Chairman 2009-2013Chairman emerita
- The Economic Club of New York, Chairman 2003-2007Chairman emerita
- Management Executives Society, Chairman 2010-2012Immediate Past President
Not-For-Profit Directorships and Leadership
- National Museum of American History, Vice Chair of the Board
- National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, Member, Executive Committee
- National Symphony Orchestra, Member, Executive Committee; Chair, Corporate Development Committee
- U.S.-China Business Council, Former Director; Audit Committee
- The Richard Nixon Foundation, Director Emerita
- George and Barbara Bush Foundation, Trustee
Membership in Not-For-Profit Organizations
- “A Few Good Women…”, Former Advisory Board Chair
- Asia Society, Former Member
- The Committee for Economic Development, Former Member
- Council on Foreign Relations
- International Women’s Forum
- U.S.-China Policy Foundation
- Women’s Forum of Washington, DC
Academic Institutions
- Pennsylvania State University, Trustee (1976-1982)
- Harvard Business School, Former member of the Board of Dean’s Advisors (2000-2004; 2006-2009)
