Christine W. McEntee

Christine W. McEntee is Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the American Geophysical Union (AGU). She is the third Executive Director in the organization’s 92-year history.

For more than 25 years, McEntee has made her mark as an association leader and innovator, building a steady record of achievement in leading large organizations through changes in governance, membership, and the fluid public policies that confront them. Her leadership has spanned the fields of aging, healthcare, architecture, and currently, geophysical science.

Before taking the helm of AGU, McEntee served as executive vice president and chief executive officer of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). In four years, she grew AIA’s membership by five to six percent annually, to a total of 83,000. She led a fundraising campaign that raised $10 million and worked to realign strategic partnerships. During her tenure, AIA’s website was expanded to house a knowledge portal designed to educate and showcase the importance of the architectural profession, and the organization held its first-ever virtual convention, which boasted 1,900 registrants.

From 1998-2005, McEntee served as chief executive officer of the American Council of Cardiology (ACC) and its Foundation. Under her leadership, ACC created and launched an online knowledge portal on cardiovascular medicine to educate patients, consumers, and allied health professionals. Aided by McEntee’s skilled leadership, ACC also focused made improvements to educate and strengthen those in the profession to work more effectively, while empowering patients to make informed decisions about their care. McEntee, who began her career as a legislative representative for AARP, moved on to the American Hospital Association in 1986, where she eventually worked her way through the ranks to become executive vice president.

A native of Burgettstown, PA, McEntee received her master’s degree in Health Administration from The George Washington University and her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Georgetown University. She has completed the Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management Advanced Executive Program.

Long active in the not-for-profit organization community, McEntee is a member of the board of numerous groups including the MedStar Health Research Institute, where she is vice chair. She is also a public member of the American Board of Ophthalmology. Formerly, she served on boards for a number of organizations including the National Building Museum, American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), and the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives.

McEntee is a Fellow of ASAE.  In November 2010, McEntee received the ASAE’s Women Who Advance America Award. She is also a recipient of the smart CEO and Chicago under 40 movers and shakers.