Merrill Magowan is the former chairman of the board at The Marine Mammal Center and the former chair of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, where he is the current Vice-Chair. His previous directorships include Safeway Stores, Nordeman Grimm (Executive Recruitment) and Phoenix Network. Additionally, he has served on the boards of 20 nonprofit organizations, including Guide Dogs for the Blind, San Francisco Zoological Society, the Episcopal Diocese of California and Earthwatch Institute.

Merrill worked at Merrill Lynch for 20 years before he founded the Magowan Investment Company, and later co-founded San Francisco Sentry Investment Group. He enjoys golf, tennis, photography and travel. He raised three sons with his wife of 56 years, Cinnie, until her passing in August 2018, and he is a proud grandfather and great grandfather.