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PDA Call for Candidates: Apply for the 2026 National Board of Directors

Board Director Election
PDA Board of Directors
27 May 2026

PDA’s Nominating and Governance Committee is now accepting applications for open seats on the PDA National Board of Directors.

Board service is a meaningful opportunity for qualified members to help advance PDA’s mission, strengthen governance excellence in private companies, and help guide the organization’s strategic direction. If you’ve been looking for a way to deepen your impact within PDA—and help shape the future of our association—this is your moment to step forward.

 

Apply now

Key deadline

Applications must be submitted in full. Partial applications will not be considered.

  • Application deadline: No later than 5 PM ET on Monday, June 29, 2026

 

Who should consider applying

PDA seeks Board Members who are willing to volunteer their time and experience to continue advancing PDA as the example of governance excellence. Director expectations continue to evolve—particularly as regulators increase scrutiny of nonprofit governance and individual director qualifications—making strong, engaged Board leadership more important than ever.

PDA also seeks a Board that is diverse in race, gender, geography, experience, skills, and perspectives, and we welcome applications from any qualified PDA member.

 

Board candidate qualifications (summary)

To be considered, candidates must meet the Nominating and Governance Committee’s established qualifications, including:

  • PDA membership for at least two years and in good standing
  • Engagement at the Chapter or National level for at least one year by the time of the Board election (October), such as:
    • Current or previous National Board Director
    • National Committee Chair / Task Force Chair / Committee Member
    • Chapter leaders (Chapter President, Chapter Vice President, Chapter Committee Chair)
  • At least one year of governance experience on a for-profit or nonprofit board, or civic body
  • Demonstrated leadership skills, including:
    • Positive communication and conflict-resolution ability
    • Strong business judgment and team orientation
    • Ability to prioritize PDA’s interests over self-interest
    • Accountability for Board decisions (even when you voted differently)
    • Continuous-improvement mindset
  • Membership in a PDA Chapter with fewer than three current PDA Board Members, or status as a member-at-large

 

What you’ll need to submit

A complete candidate application package includes:

  • Completed 2026 Board of Directors Election Interest Form
  • Board biography
  • Board resume
  • Current professional headshot
  • Letter of endorsement from a current or past PDA Board Director, Chair of a National Committee or National Task Force, or Chapter President
  • Attestation that you have read and will adhere to PDA policies, including:
  • Agreement (if applicable) to resign from any current PDA leadership role by the date your Board term begins if elected
  • Agreement to a background check (which may include employment/board verifications, criminal background check, and reference checks)

 

Time commitment and term

Board service is a significant commitment, and candidates should plan accordingly.

  • Time commitment: approximately 60–80 hours per year
  • Meetings: Board meetings at least quarterly; committee meetings at least monthly (frequency may vary)
  • Compensation: Board Members are not compensated; nominal travel expenses for in-person Board meetings may be reimbursed
  • Terms: PDA will elect five Board Members for three-year terms, beginning in January

 

Election timeline

  • Voting opens: September 7, 2026
  • Voting closes: 5:00 PM ET on October 9, 2026

 

The Nominating and Governance Committee will oversee the elections process, supported by an experienced, independent third-party elections firm.

 

Candidates will also have opportunities to connect with members and share their candidacy, including the option to create a brief video for the PDA website’s Board Election page and to meet members at PRISM, PDA’s national conference October 5–7 in Atlanta, GA.

 

Questions?

Questions are addressed in the FAQs section at the bottom of the submission form. If you need additional assistance at any stage of the process, please contact Bryan Stewart, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee, at bryastew@gmail.com.

 

Take the next step

If you meet the qualifications and are ready to contribute your experience to PDA’s national leadership, we encourage you to apply.

 

Start Your Application