Margot Ernst began her professional life for twenty years involved in publicity, development, and curatorship in Japanese Art at the Japan Society Gallery from its inception. She has maintained her involvement in the arts with several committees at the Museum of Modern Art and on the board and now emeriti of the Adirondack Museum, for which she ran their first capital campaign. Margot has been on the board of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian since its inception and served as Chair for many years. She continues serving on that board and is currently working on their first capital campaign. 

Margot shifted in 2000 to focus her efforts on conservation and environmental issues. She was on the Audubon National Board for twelve years and is still a member of Audubon New York Board, where she chairs their development efforts. She also ran the first capital campaign for North Country Public Radio in 2000. In addition to serving on the board of Island Press, Margot is currently on the board of the National Public Radio Foundation, focusing on development and environmental reporting. She lives in New York City and the Adirondacks, where she and her husband own and manage a wilderness resort, Elk Lake Lodge.