Purpose-driven, insight-informed leadership
OCLC is guided by a clear public purpose: using technology and data to expand access to knowledge. Our Board of Trustees, Leaders Council, and Executive Management Team bring distinct roles and perspectives, working together to set direction, provide oversight, and lead execution. Informed by ongoing engagement with libraries, partners, and technology innovation, OCLC delivers solutions that strengthen learning, discovery, and connection worldwide.
Chair, OCLC Board of Trustees
The Norman and Armena Powell University Librarian (retired)
University of California, Los Angeles
Director of DANS
DANS is an institute of KNAW (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) and NWO (Dutch Research Council)
Helen and Henry Posner, Jr. Dean of the University Libraries
Carnegie Mellon University
Dean of Libraries, Charles Deering McCormick University Librarian
Northwestern University
The Board is also responsible for recruiting and working with the President and CEO, and for monitoring OCLC through a dedicated audit process. The Board meets multiple times a year and its work is done by seven committees:
| Committee | Description |
|---|---|
| Audit Committee | Together with the Board and executive management, the Audit Committee evaluates the performance of independent auditors, reviews auditors' plans and processes, and reviews audited financial statements. This committee also oversees risk assessment and mitigation plans. |
| Board Governance Committee | Assists in maintaining continuity of Board membership and managing the internal affairs and self evaluation of the Board. |
| Executive Committee | The chairs of each committee, the Board Chair and the President and CEO coordinate the work across the Board committees. The Executive Committee exercises the authority of the Board in the management of the affairs of the corporation when the board is not in session. |
| Finance and Investment Committee | Responsible for the oversight of the financial health of OCLC. The Finance Committee reviews interim and annual financial results and the annual budget plan, the approval of loans, capital expenditures, mergers, acquisitions, dispositions and special expenditures. This committee also reviews long-term investment policy and banking resolutions and recommends action by the Board. |
| Joint Membership Committee | Reviews and updates membership and governance protocols, which determine how membership is defined. The committee is comprised of both Board members and Leaders Council members, and contributes to the formation and constitution of the Leaders Council. |
| Personnel and Compensation Committee | Assists the Board in overseeing executive compensation, performance evaluation, succession planning, and key employee benefits. Works with external consultants on compensation plan design and reviews key workplace metrics. |
| Committee on Technology Planning | Evaluates and reports to the Board on appropriate matters related to technology, including OCLC's engagement with emerging technologies that appear well-suited to helping libraries better serve their user communities. |
Leaders Council
Leaders Council includes library leaders from the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. These councilors share library perspectives to help inform the OCLC leadership team and the Board of Trustees on the key issues facing its member libraries. Councilors are also responsible for electing six members to the OCLC Board of Trustees.
OCLC Leadership Team
The OCLC Senior Leadership Team brings expertise to OCLC from the technology, business, and library industries.
