Mark J. Meister is the President and CEO of the Dayton Society of Natural History, which operates the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park, and Fort Ancient.

Before assuming his current position in January of 2000, Meister was the Executive Director of the Archaeological Institute of America in Boston, the largest archaeological organization in North America, from 1989 through 1999. Prior to coming to the AIA, Meister served as the executive director of museums in Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, and Connecticut over a period of 12 years.

Formerly the chair of the Dayton Sister City Committee, Meister is currently the co-chair of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation, the treasurer of the Dayton Council on World Affairs, and the chair of the Dayton Leadership Council of Prevent Blindness Ohio.

Meister has a Bachelor's degree in Ancient Art and Archaeology from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master's degree in Museology from the University of Minnesota. He also holds a certificate from the Museum Management Institute at the University of California, Berkeley.