As Chair-Elect, the focus of the role is to prepare for their tenure as Board Chair, ensuring continuity between Board Chairs. He/she plays an active role on all aspects of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee by maintaining sight on the long-term health of the organization and contributing to our strategic priorities. The Chair-Elect automatically assumes the role of Board Chair after one year as Chair-Elect.

As Board Chair, this individual holds the highest volunteer leadership position within IDSA. He/she presides at all meetings of the Board of Directors and must be equal parts strategist, coach, and conciliator. This role requires in-depth knowledge of organizational leadership and standard board practices. He/she must be respected in the community. After two years as Board Chair, this individual serves one year as Chair Emeritus to complete a total four-year commitment.

As a member of IDSA’s Executive Committee, the Chair-Elect / Chair / Chair-Emeritus takes part in regular meetings to discuss current matters of the organization and reviews the status of IDSA business and operations between Board meetings. The Executive Committee acts as an advisory committee to the Executive Director, reviews and considers issues for presentation to the Board of Directors, and addresses issues that need action or should be acted upon prior to the next Board meeting. 

Primary responsibilities of this role from 2024-2027 include:

• Working closely with IDSA’s Executive Director in defining, implementing, and maintaining the strategic direction of the organization
• Interfacing with membership on a regular basis in the communication of organizational information and updates regarding IDSA’s programming
• Reviewing and advising on aspects of IDSA’s financial strategies and organizational decisions
• (As Chair) Serves as the contact point for every Board member on Board issues
• (As Chair) Sets goals and objectives for the Board and ensures that they are met
• (As Chair) Ensures that all Board members are involved in committee activities; assigns committee chairs
• (As Chair) Motivates Board members to attend meetings and participate in their community
• (As Chair) Runs effective and productive Board meetings
• (As Chair) Assists in defining priorities and necessary qualifications for new Board members during elections cycles

To qualify for this role from 2024-2027, the ideal candidate should:

• Be deeply familiar with IDSA’s organizational structure
• Have relevant and proven professional organizational management experience
• Have the ability to think both ‘long term, big-picture’ and ‘near term, quick solutions’
• Possess excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and be comfortable speaking in public
• Have leadership experience with other non-profit organizations and/or previous Board experience with other organizations
• Complement and demonstrate a good rapport with IDSA’s Executive Director

The At-Large Director will be given IDSA’s conference and events-related program portfolio. He/she will support the International Design Conference and Deep Dive events, developing recommendations for growing, differentiating, and advancing all IDSA conferences. This role is not expected to “Chair” or be the primary individual directly planning IDSA conferences; however, they will be significantly involved in the overall production of these events, ensuring they hit or exceed budget goals and deliver exceptional value for event goers.

Primary responsibilities of this role for the 2024-2025 term include:

• Assisting in content development, planning, and execution of the annual International Design Conference
• Assisting in content development, planning, and execution of Deep Dive events per year
• May be asked to attend events put on by other organizations on behalf of IDSA
• Interacting with potential conference speakers, sponsors, or other partners
• Serves as Chair of the Conferences Committee.

To qualify for this role for the 2024-2025 term, the ideal candidate should:

• Be familiar with IDSA’s complete conference portfolio
• Have previously attended IDSA events at all scales – local chapter events through international design conferences
• Enjoy event planning, logistics, and content curation
• Be comfortable contacting speakers, sponsors, or other partners who we may wish to engage with IDSA for a future event, often leveraging your own personal network to build new opportunities

The Education Director is the conduit between the professional and academic communities, ensuring the needs of our academic members (both students and professors) are voiced and met. He/she plays a large role in the oversight and administration of IDSA’s programming that highlights academic work, such as IDSA’s Student Merit Awards and Education Papers.  The programs under the Education Director’s supervision run year-round and require regular collaboration with members of the IDSA headquarter team.

Primary responsibilities of this role for the 2024-2025 term include:

• Serving as Chair of the Education Council (made up of design educators and practitioners)
• Leading the development and arrangement of the annual IDSA Education Symposium, acting as this event’s emcee
• Reviewing all Education Paper submissions and assisting with the judging process
• Reviewing all Student Merit Award submissions and assisting with the judging process

To qualify for this role for the 2024-2025 term, the ideal candidate should:

• Be a current or former educator at a recognized academic institution, having taught industrial design (or related) courses
• Have prior administrative/program chair experience with an education institution
• Be very organized and detail-oriented
• Comfortable delegating tasks, leading teams, and planning events

The Sections Director promotes, monitors, and nurtures IDSA’s Sections and represents their interests on the Board of Directors. This role also cultivates opportunities for relationships between Chapters, Sections, and educators through continued education development offerings that come from the subject matter experts within IDSA’s Special Interest Sections.

Primary responsibilities of this role for the 2024-2025 term include:

• Working with leaders of IDSA’s Sections to develop and/or propose new program offerings or chapter events that connect Section subject matter experts to our community
• Identifying and nurturing volunteer leaders who are subject matter experts to lead dormant Sections or assist with the transition between Section leaders
• Assist with content curation for Deep Dive events that feature subject matter derived from Special Interest Sections, as needed/requested by the Conferences Director or individual event content teams

To qualify for this role for the 2024-2025 term, the ideal candidate should:

• Have familiarity with the IDSA Chapters and Sections’ organizational structure
• Share an interest in continuing education professional development
• Understand the needs of wide-ranging current industrial design professional trends
• Be outgoing and comfortable with community outreach activities

(Northeast & Central)

District Chapter Representatives (DCRs) are responsible for working directly with the IDSA Professional Chapters and design communities within their district. Each will focus on fostering the growth of chapters in their region, mentoring chapter officers, creating connections among chapters and engaging members who live “in between” chapters.

Primary responsibilities of this role for the 2024-2025 term include:

• Lead and participate in regular touch-base calls with chapter leaders, IDSA staff, and other DCRs
• Serve on the IDSA Districts Committee, chaired by the Chapter Director on IDSA’s Board of Directors
• Assisting with the SCARF (chapter event) approval process

To qualify for this role for the 2024-2025 term, the ideal candidate should:

• Have been involved with, or previously served as, an IDSA professional chapter leader
• Possess excellent communication skills, written and verbal
• Have basic knowledge of how local design events are run and enjoy passing on their knowledge to others

Learn more about the Districts Committee.

(Northeast & Central)

The Women in Design Committee endeavors to invite participation, encourage dialogue, and enable a community for women in design to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive industrial design profession. At the direction of the Board of Directors, the Committee, through leadership of its Chair, will:

• Provide mentoring and support to Women in Design Chapter leaders
• Review and assist with the approval of new city-based Women in Design Chapter groups
• Foster an inclusive and supportive environment for Women in Design Chapter Leaders and those who participate in Women in Design programming
• Collaborate, coordinate, and align efforts with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council (DEIC) on IDSA’s DEI goals pertaining to Women in Design
• Elevate issues of importance to the Board of Directors for consideration, feedback, and action
• Assist with the curation of speakers and content for IDSA’s Women in Design Deep Dive event, in collaboration with the IDSA events staff
• Assist in identifying future committee members to replace those whose terms have ended

To qualify for this role for the 2024-2025 term, the ideal candidate should:

• Hold a current IDSA professional membership and be eligible to serve per IDSA’s Bylaws
• Have prior experience leading a team and mentoring others in a professional setting
• Demonstrated ability to inspire and support others

Prior IDSA chapter leadership experience is a plus.

(Northeast, Central, Midwest, South, West)

These individuals serve in a number of ways and help advance IDSA’s efforts in celebrating the work of our academic communities. Primarily, they are the point of contact for IDSA’s Student Merit Award (SMA) competition and Student Chapters in their respective districts. Each year, they serve on the jury teams responsible for reviewing work submitted by students to select SMA District Winners and Scholarship recipients. During their two-year term, District Education Representatives may also assist with organizing the annual Education Symposium. All District Education Representatives, collectively with three professional practitioners, form IDSA’s Education Council. 

The Education Council shall serve in order to ensure the highest standard of industrial design education; to actively maintain a liaison among all members of IDSA (especially those whose professional responsibility is industrial design education); to promote and develop IDSA Student Chapters and activities; to promote Student Membership; and to consult with, and make recommendations to, the Chair and the Board of Directors concerning education policies, planning, and matters within the Society.

(3 Professional Practitioners)

These individuals serve in a number of ways and help advance IDSA’s efforts in celebrating the work of our academic communities. Primarily, they are the point of contact for IDSA’s Student Merit Award (SMA) competition and Student Chapters in their respective districts. Each year, they serve on the jury teams responsible for reviewing work submitted by students to select SMA District Winners and Scholarship recipients. During their two-year term, District Education Representatives may also assist with organizing the annual Education Symposium. All District Education Representatives, collectively with three professional practitioners, form IDSA’s Education Council. 

The Education Council shall serve in order to ensure the highest standard of industrial design education; to actively maintain a liaison among all members of IDSA (especially those whose professional responsibility is industrial design education); to promote and develop IDSA Student Chapters and activities; to promote Student Membership; and to consult with, and make recommendations to, the Chair and the Board of Directors concerning education policies, planning, and matters within the Society.