Marilyn Hawrys Simons has worked primarily in the non-profit sector as a volunteer for the past 20 years, focusing on education. She has served as President of the Simons Foundation since 1994. Dr. Simons is currently President of the Board of LearningSpring Elementary School, a school for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. She received a B.A. and a Ph.D. in Economics from the State University of New York, Stony Brook. Marilyn Hawrys Simons is president of the Simons Foundation. Under her leadership, the foundation has grown rapidly since its inception in 1994 to become one of the country's leading private funders of basic scientific research. Simons also has more than 25 years of experience actively supporting nonprofit organizations in New York City and Long Island, New York. In addition to her work to advance basic science research, Simons has been involved in K-12 education for underserved communities. Simons is vice president of the board of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in Long Island, an outstanding research facility specializing in molecular biology and genetics. She is treasurer of the board of the LearningSpring School, a New York City school for children aged 5-14 with diagnoses on the autism spectrum. She is also a member of the board of trustees at the East Harlem Tutorial Program, an after-school program in New York City. Simons received a B.A. and Ph.D. in economics from Stony Brook University.