EDSA Leadership

As a dynamic and energetic youth organization that strives to change lives and prepare members for career leadership, personal growth, and career success, we need to have leadership at the national level that not only can help create programs and services that meet the mission of the organization but also can provide guidance to the membership and staff of the organization.

At the national level, our organization is governed and led by an adult Board of Directors and a student Board of National Student Officers. Together, these two boards work on matters relating to policy, long-range strategy, and fiscal oversight of the national organization. National EDSA Staff implement their recommendations.

EDSA looks to its mission as it develops programs and creates opportunities for EDSA members. National EDSA staff focus on engaging students, supporting advisors, and telling the EDSA story by growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening education and business.

National EDSA Board of Directors

"The Board of Directors shall be the lower board in the governing body." ~National EDSA Constitution Article VIII Section B

The National EDSA Board of Directors comprises 16 adult leaders in the organization. These members are four professional educators, four business leaders, and four community organization leaders that are elected to represent each of the four regions of the United States, four at-large members who are former student members of the organization, the National Executive Secretary, National Executive Treasurer, the Clerk to the Boards who serve as Ex Officio Non-Voting members, and the National Advisor who serves as the chair of the board.

The members of the Board of Directors are elected to three-year terms by the adult membership and are elected to represent the adult stakeholders.

Meet the Board of Directors

National EDSA Student Officers

"The Board of National Student Officers shall be the upper board in the governing body." ~National EDSA Constitution Article VIII Section C

The Board of National Student Officers comprises six students: the National President, 4 Regional Vice Presidents, and the National Secretary. The National President serves as the chair of the Board. The National Advisor serves as an Ex Officio Non-Voting member who provides advice and counsel to the Board on matters of policy relating to the national organization.

The national student officers are elected annually by the student members, represented by the official delegates to the annual national convention in November, and serve From January 1 through December 31.

In addition to their responsibilities as members of the Board of National Student Officers, each national officer visits the state associations and chapters, presiding over the annual national convention, conducting leadership conferences and workshops, and representing the organization at various events as part of carrying out the programs and services of the organization.

Meet the National Student Officers

National EDSA Delegates

"At the national convention an official delegate assembly limited to five hundred and thirty five (535) delegates will convene." ~National EDSA Constitution Article XI Section B

At the annual national convention held in November of each calendar year, a group of students is nominated and elected by the State EDSA Associations to represent the membership of that state association at the annual national convention. The purpose of the delegate assembly at the annual national convention is to conduct the business of the national organization, confer awards of deserving members, chapters, and state associations, and elect the national student officers to represent the student membership for the following calendar year.

Learn about the Delegate Process

National EDSA Committees

"As a member of the governing body, I always found that the work done by the various committees greatly helped inform the decision making done by the governing body and assisted in providing the resources required to meet the mission of the organizaiton." ~Sarah Morrin, Former National Student President

As part of the process of oversight and governance in our organization, we have various committees that assist the governing body and delegates in conducting the national organization's work. These committees are one of three types: Standing, Select, and Special. The governing body and the delegates in session at the annual national convention have committees to assist in carrying out their responsibilities.

Learn about the committees

National EDSA Staff

"The National EDSA Organization is only able to carry out its responsibilities to our membership and communities because of the outstanding members of our staff." ~Fred Hendrickson, National EDSA Advisor

To carry out our responsibilities as outlined in Article II of the National EDSA Constitution, we have a fantastic team of staff members who work hard each day to ensure that our members, advisors, state association staff, and educators have the programs and resources needed to prepare students for a wide range of careers in the industry of their choice.

Some of the responsibilities of our staff include providing administrative support to the governing body, committees, and delegates; providing support for the various programs, conventions, and conferences run by the national organization; creating resources for each program; and assisting members, local and state advisors and staff, and educators across the country with various needs relating to our organization.

Learn about the Staff