The academy, founded in 1812, is the oldest natural history museum and research institution in the Americas. Its scientists have made significant discoveries in the worlds of dinosaurs, stream ecology, and other sciences.
Some of its collections are world renowned for their size and diversity. The academy has priceless John James Audubon artifacts and plants collected by Lewis and Clark on their 1804-06 expedition.
Yet in recent years its endowment has declined - although it has rebounded somewhat from $43 million in 2007 to $48 million. In 2009, much of the staff had to take a 5 percent salary cut.
Gephart said Hertz would work on strategic planning and board development. "We will lean heavily on Sara for driving our bicentennial effort, for the eventual capital campaign, and also strengthening our visibility in the community," he said.
Most recently, Hertz was vice president of development at the Philadelphia Zoo. She led the planning for the zoo's 150th anniversary celebration.
She also was instrumental in the creation of the zoo's Global Conservation Prize, perhaps the world's largest award for international conservation. In March, the zoo pledged $500,000 to a Brazilian conservation organization working to save the golden lion tamarin, a small primate.
Hertz also has done fund-raising for the Nature Conservancy and the University of Pennsylvania. In Britain, she worked for the World Wildlife Fund, Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People, and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
Hertz said she wanted to "remagnetize" the academy. "I want there to be so many kids here I have to fight my way to my office."
