Nominations for Speaker, AIAA Council of Directors, Are Being Accepted Through 5 August 2026
The AIAA Council of Directors Nominating Committee (CNC) will compile a list of potential nominees for the Speaker of the Council of Directors for a three-year term (2027–2030). This list will go to the next step of competency review and potential interview held by the CNC. The CNC will select specific candidates for the Speaker position who will be voted on by the Council of Directors. The final slate of candidates will be announced in December 2026. The Speaker will be elected by the Council of Directors in January 2027 and announced soon thereafter.
The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Council of Directors and is the point of contact between the Council of Directors and the Board of Trustees, thus providing the communication conduit between the membership and the Board. The Speaker is responsible for developing the agenda for the Council and leading all Council meetings. The Speaker works with the Council to ensure implementation of the Institute’s strategic initiatives as well as integration of activities across the Regional Engagement Activities Division (READ), Technical Activities Division (TAD), and Integration and Outreach Division (IOD). The Speaker works closely with the AIAA President, AIAA Executive Director, and AIAA Governance Administrator to ensure coordination of volunteer and staff activities throughout the Institute.
The Speaker should possess an understanding of the AIAA governance structure and operation and have a working knowledge of the operations within the three functional divisions (READ, TAD, and IOD) that operate under the Council of Directors. The Speaker must have excellent communication and organizational skills.
The Council of Directors Speaker skills, attributes, and competencies include the following:
- Vision – ability to understand the Institute’s vision, translating it from strategic ideas to tactical and actionable items.
- Leadership – foster participation, gain buy-in, and guides MED, TAD, and AIED to achieve successful results (taking initiative, inspiring others).
- Influence – engage regularly with the President, CEO, and Board of Trustees to represent the Council in the strategic and fiduciary leadership of the Institute.
- Synthesis – understand the member-driven interests and the Board-directed strategy and be able to work with the Directors to capture a cohesive vision that blends all aspects.
- Knowledge and Experience – an overall understanding of the AIAA’s governance model, the AIAA strategic vision and business plan, membership experience, leadership roles in Council Divisions, Groups, Regions and Committees, and membership engagement opportunities.
- Organization – ability to work with Directors to develop an organization that best supports member-driven initiatives while aligning with the Board-directed strategy.
- Communication – communicate the Board’s vision, identifying skills needed to accomplish the envisioned capability while also communicating the Council perspective concerns to the Board
- Collaboration – working across MED, TAD, AIED, and the Board, and Board-directed committees.
- Delegation – delegates responsibilities/functions appropriately.
AIAA members may nominate qualified individuals for the Speaker of the Council position by submitting a nomination package of not more than three pages consisting of the following required elements:
- Nominee’s biography and/or curriculum vitae (CV) including a history of his/her AIAA activities and/or engagement with other relevant professional societies.
- Statement from the nominee addressing how he/she meets each of the sought competencies listed for the position.
- Statement from the nominee of his/her willingness and ability to serve for the terms listed, if elected.
- Nominees must complete the Annual Volunteer Leader Acknowledgements Form for the Council of Directors. Failure to complete these acknowledgements may disqualify an individual’s consideration for office or his/her service.