Board Service

Play a leadership role in the Peace Corps Community and help steer the direction of this organization during a crucial time by joining the National Peace Corps Association Board of Directors! 

NPCA is constantly seeking individuals with strong leadership skills and experience helping non-profit organizations execute strategy, governance, and programs.

Board directors participate in and encourage initiatives that support and benefit NPCA and the community we support. Serving on the NPCA Board of Directors requires a serious commitment of time, expertise, and financial resources. Our board members serve on at least one committee, serve three-year terms and are expected to participate in quarterly board meetings, and are requested to support NPCA financially (within their personal capability) and through participation in fundraising.

NPCA members who are interested in board service must first complete a Board of Directors Expression of Interest Form. We welcome expressions of interest in board service throughout the year, and close consideration for the next election on April 30 each year. The NPCA Board Governance Committee reviews all interest forms submitted and then contacts candidates for an initial conversation. Qualified individuals will then be invited to stand for election. 

Board Directors are asked to sign a Board Director Agreement Form acknowledging these and other expectations for board service.

Changes to NPCA Board Elections in 2023:

Beginning in 2023, NPCA member-elected board directors are now nominated, elected, and serve “at-large,” meaning that they do not represent particular geographic or global regions. All current NPCA members (with active memberships as of the first day of voting) will be able to vote on the full slate of nominated candidates.

Nomination and Voting Process

Any member of NPCA is eligible to be nominated as and to vote for fellow members to serve as Directors. The following steps must be completed prior to the opening of the voting period.

• Complete the Board of Director Expression of Interest form; this form is available online from January through April each year.
• Complete an interview with the Chair of the Governance Committee or other NPCA officer, who will contact each candidate after receiving their Expression of Interest form.
• Submit a 250-word (or less) biography for use in the voting ballot.

Board Interest Form

Please note that in keeping with the practice of most non-profit organizations, Board Directors are expected to pay for their own travel expenses.

The process for the 2026 Board Elections is as follows:

• January 1 – April 30, 2026: Submit expression of interest form
• April – May, 2026: Governance chair and CEO to meet with each interested candidate 
• June 2026: Notify & Prepare Ballot Profiles for Selected Candidates
• July 1-30, 2026: Member Voting
• August 1-5, 2026: Review results
• August 6-15, 2026: Notify candidates

NPCA Board Committees and Task Forces occasionally accept membership and participation from skilled and knowledgeable NPCA supporters who are not members of the board of directors. If interested in learning more about one of our committees, we encourage you to reach out to the corresponding committee chair. 

Executive Committee

• John Evans, Chair
• Bridget Davis, Vice Chair
• Jim Baldwin, Treasurer
• Tracy Haugen, Secretary
• Sarah Fuhrmann Thorwirth, Affiliate Group Chair

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

• Helen Petrozzola
• Carla Brown, NPCA
• Jeffery Janis
• George Economides
• Michael Roman
• Jeannette Sanchez (non-board member)
• Bill Sweigart (non-board member)
• Lorine Habranious (non-board member)

Affiliate Group Coordination Committee

• Sarah Furmann Thorwirth, Chair
• Carla Brown, NPCA
• George Economides
• Babila Lima
• John Lee Evans
• Kate Pongonis

Fundraising

• George Economides, Chair
• Carla Brown, NPCA  
• Travis Mathews, NPCA
• Joe Shaffner
• John Lee Evans
• Lisa Convery-Lopez
• Ryan Plesh
• Alex Kruzel
• Jeffrey Janis
• Scott Beale

Finance

• Jim Baldwin, Treasurer/Chair
• Carla Brown, NPCA
• Nancy Davenport, YPTC
• John Lee Evans
• Peter Dillon
• George Economides
• Lisa Convery-Lopez
• Chip Levengood (non-board member)
• Ed Pikaart (non-board member)
• Bob Crooks (non-board member)

Governance

• Nell Todd, Chair
• Carla Brown, NPCA
• Helen Petrozzola
• John Lee Evans
• Kathryn Jacob
• Kristina Owens
• Ryan Plesh
• Ricky Ferrari Traner
• Maricarmen Smith-Martinez (non-board member)
• Chip Levengood (non-board member)

Awards

• Carla Brown, NPCA
• Lisa Convery-Lopez
• Helen Petrozzola
• Kate Pongonis

(Updated October, 2026)

• The responsibilities of NPCA elected directors are:
• Attend Board and committee meetings
• Raise funds and promote membership
• Participate in NPCA activities
• Set goals, policies, and budget
• Evaluate and Hire the President & CEO
• Oversee the performance of NPCA

Roles and Responsibilities of all NPCA Board Members
Board Director Agreement Form 2025

The Board meets at least four times per year. The 2026 Board Meeting schedule is as follows (subject to change):

• • • March 22 – Quarter 3 Board Meeting (virtual)
    • June 28 @ 5PM Eastern – Quarter 4 Board Meeting (virtual)
    • July 17-19 – Shriver Summit & Peace Corps Connect 2026 (In Person @ American University)
    • Sept 26 – Quarter 4 Board Meeting (In Person, TBD)
    • Dec 13 @ 5PM Eastern – Quarter 2 Board Meeting (virtual)

Minutes from each Board meeting are reviewed and approved at the ensuing board meeting, then posted to our website.

For more information on attending any board meeting as an observer, email [email protected].