Goldman Sachs taps Barnard president as director

NEW YORK (AP) — Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said Thursday that it named the president of Barnard College as an independent director on its board.

Debora Spar's appointment will be effective immediately, the investment firm said in a release.

Spar's election expands the board to 11 directors, nine of whom are independent directors. Spar will be a member of the firm's audit, risk, compensation and corporate governance and nominating committees, Goldman said.

Before joining Barnard in 2008, Spar was on the faculty of Harvard Business School. She joined Harvard in 1991 and held a number of positions during her time there. Her research focused on international political economy.

Spar is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the board of trustees of The Nightingale-Bamford School and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.