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Northwestern Alumni

NAA Board of Directors

Want to learn more about the NAA Board?

Please visit the NAA Board webpage or contact volunteer@northwestern.edu.

Commitment: 3 years

The NAA Board of Directors serves as the strategic advisory group of alumni leaders who draw on their professional expertise, lived experiences, and relationships to provide vision, direction, leadership, support, alumni advocacy, and constructive feedback to the NAA executive leadership. Volunteers who serve on the board play a vital role in helping the NAA fulfill its mission to engage alumni intellectually, socially, and professionally through programs that inspire lifelong curiosity, connection, and growth.

The NAA Board is committed to identifying alumni leaders with skills and perspectives that align with Northwestern University’s strategies and priorities—both now and in the years ahead. With a focus on long-term relevance and impact, the Board is focused on recruiting individuals who bring a strong blend of vision, expertise, diverse perspectives, and spheres of influence. On average, one to two director positions become available each year. Ideal candidates reflect the essence of the NAA’s guiding principles and demonstrate the following qualities:

  • A love and passion for their alma mater and the alumni experience
  • Leadership within their respective industry, profession, and/or community
  • Being a thought leader and strategic thinker
  • An ongoing commitment to supporting the University philanthropically

All Board members must have matriculated from a degree-granting program at Northwestern. The terms for the president, president-elect, immediate past president, and vice president are two years. These officers serve on the NAA Board’s executive committee alongside the NAA’s executive director. The term for directors is three years. The vice president and directors may serve no more than two consecutive full terms in each role.

Candidates are selected by the NAA Board nominating committee and elected at the Annual Meeting of the NAA. Nominations are made at the committee’s discretion, based on the Board’s current needs and the alumni association’s strategic focus.

The NAA does not have a junior board.