Board of Directors - Fall 2026

Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) is conducting an intensive, nationwide search to assemble a qualified, diverse, and representative slate of candidates for the Board of Directors. Please consider whether you or someone you know might qualify and help us spread the word.

Interested applicants should submit a completed application, resume, and cover letter by September 12, 2025.

What You Need to Know

Commitment:

• • A three-year term beginning in the Fall of 2026
  • Dedicating considerable time and energy (approximately 6-8 hours per week) to upholding the AIUSA mandate and growing the human rights movement through governance service
  • Commitment to serve Amnesty and forward the goals of our strategic plan

Qualifications:

• • Belief in the mission and vision of Amnesty
  • Knowledge of domestic and international human rights trends and issues, with particular interest in those relevant to Amnesty
  • Understanding the legal and ethical expectations for a nonprofit organization
  • Preference for previous involvement in leadership roles (including organizational management roles, board or committee membership, and community leadership) and experience with strategy, governance, and finance
  • Especially seeking qualified youth (ages 18-24) and individuals with expertise in financial or operational matters relevant to nonprofit corporations
  • Applicants must be members of Amnesty in good standing at the time of the application deadline. This means making a donation of $25 or more. If you have questions about the status of your membership or to request a fee waiver, please contact aimember@aiusa.org.

Board of Directors Responsibilities:

• • Develop a clear vision for the organization through policies that set goals and priorities for Amnesty
  • Help set the annual budget for the organization in line with the strategic plan
  • Establish, evaluate, and revise organizational policies to realize the organizational vision
  • Provide stewardship to the organization in partnership with the Executive Team
  • Maintain appropriate and constructive working relationships with members, volunteers, staff, and members
  • Ensure the financial health of the organization and provide fiscal oversight
  • Support fundraising efforts
  • Serve as an ambassador for Amnesty in our communities and within the broader Amnesty and human rights movement

General Timeline

Phase 1: Candidate Search

• • July: Call for applications for the Board of Directors
  • September 12: Application deadline at 11:59pm EST

Phase 2: Candidate Selection

• • October: Nominating Committee conducts interviews of prospective candidates and references
  • November: Nominating Committee meets to determine proposed slate of final candidates
  • January 2026: AIUSA Board ratifies and announces slate and opening of petition process

Phase 3: Candidate Election

• • Late-April 2026: Election opens
  • Mid-May 2026: Closing of election
  • Mid-June 2026: AIUSA Board announces election results
  • Early September 2026: Seating of new Board members

We are striving for a rich diversity of experience, expertise, and identities among our board members and there is no such thing as a perfect candidate. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply regardless of age, gender, race, ability, faith, cultural background, profession, or sexual orientation. Please don’t permit any assumptions you might have about what constitutes an ideal Board member to keep you from applying if you believe that you could be a valuable contributor to the Board.

Please contact any representative of the AIUSA Nominating Committee (listed below) if you have questions about the application process or the role. Youth members are encouraged to contact the youth representative and/or their regional representative.

Sincerely,

The AIUSA Nominating Committee

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AIUSA Nominating Committee - 2025-2026

Marianna Bezhanyan, Youth Representative - mariannabezhanyan@gmail.com

Douglas Black, Northeast Representative - douglas.eh.black@gmail.com

Farah Eck, At-Large Representative - farah.eck@gmail.com

Grace Eickmeyer, West Representative and Committee Co-Chair - grace.eickmeyer@gmail.com

Natalie Koletar, Midwest Representative - natkoletar@gmail.com

Emily Palmer, South Representative and Committee Co-Chair - emilymariepalmer@icloud.com

Deanna Wilken, Mid-Atlantic Representative - deannatwilken@gmail.com

OUR COMMITMENT AS AN ANTI-RACIST ORGANIZATION AND TO INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND ACCESSIBILITY (IDEA)

Dismantling white supremacy is central to the fight for human rights in the United States and around the world. As we mobilize staff and activists and work with partners to help transform the multiple systems where oppression operates in the world around us as part of our human rights mandate, anti-racism must be integral to our work. What does that mean for Amnesty International in the United States? It means using our people power to fight injustice and centering the voices and experiences of those most impacted by racist structures, beliefs, and laws. Fundamentally, it means doing our human rights work differently than it has been done before, because we know that who we work with, how we work, the work we do, and ultimately who we are, are all interconnected. As an international, intercultural, intergenerational and intersectional movement of activists committed to protecting and advancing human rights for all, Amnesty is deeply committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA). To learn more about how we integrate IDEA into our programs and workplace, visit: https://www.amnestyusa.org/idea/

We are striving for a rich diversity of experience, expertise, and identities among our board members and there is no such thing as a perfect candidate. Please don’t permit any assumptions you might have about what constitutes an ideal Board member to keep you from applying if you believe that you could be a valuable contributor to the Board.