John W. McCarter Jr.

John W. McCarter Jr. is an American business executive and civic leader renowned for his transformative leadership of a major cultural institution and his strategic advisory career. He served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago for nearly two decades, steering it through a period of significant modernization and growth. His earlier career was as a senior partner at the global management consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, where he advised major corporations and government agencies. McCarter has also held influential positions on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards, contributing to the civic and economic landscape of Chicago and beyond.

Early life and education

John W. McCarter Jr. was raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration. He then attended Harvard Business School, where he received his Master of Business Administration. His academic foundation in business and management provided the critical framework for his subsequent careers in both the private consulting sector and the nonprofit cultural world. This educational path was shared by many future leaders of major Fortune 500 companies and influential cultural institutions.

Career at Booz Allen Hamilton

McCarter joined the prestigious management consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton after completing his MBA, rising to the position of senior partner during a tenure that spanned over two decades. At the firm, he led engagements for a diverse portfolio of clients, including major industrial corporations and agencies within the United States Department of Defense. His work often involved strategic planning, organizational design, and operational improvement for entities facing complex challenges in competitive and regulated environments. This experience in high-level corporate strategy and governance later proved invaluable during his leadership transition to the nonprofit sector in Chicago.

Leadership at the Field Museum

In 1996, McCarter was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Field Museum of Natural History, one of the world's premier natural history museums located on Chicago's Museum Campus. Under his leadership, the museum undertook a massive physical and programmatic renewal, including the landmark renovation and installation of the Tyrannosaurus rex specimen known as "Sue". He oversaw major capital campaigns that funded new exhibitions like the Grainger Hall of Gems and the Ancient Americas exhibit, while also strengthening the institution's scientific research in fields like evolutionary biology and anthropology. McCarter retired from the Field Museum in 2012 after significantly expanding its educational outreach, financial stability, and global reputation.

Civic and corporate boards

Throughout and beyond his tenure at the Field Museum, McCarter has been a sought-after member of numerous governing boards. His corporate directorships have included roles at Deere & Company, Sara Lee Corporation, and USG Corporation. In the civic arena, he has served as Chairman of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and held board positions with the Museum of Science and Industry, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Commercial Club of Chicago. He also contributed to national policy discussions through his service on the National Museum and Library Services Board. These roles underscore his deep integration into the leadership fabric of Midwestern business and cultural philanthropy.

Awards and honors

McCarter's contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards. In 2011, the Government of Japan conferred upon him the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, for fostering cultural and scientific exchange between Japan and the United States. He has also received the Chicago History Museum's "Making History Award" for distinguished service to the city. Furthermore, he has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees from institutions including Lake Forest College and the Illinois Institute of Technology, acknowledging his impact on education and civic life.

Category:American business executives Category:Harvard Business School alumni Category:University of Michigan alumni