A successful Executive Director candidate will serve for a two-year term beginning January 2025 and concluding December 2026.

Yes, current directors are eligible to apply if they have not served in the same role for more than two consecutive terms (four years). Like all other DVS members, they will need to complete an application and participate in the interview process if selected to move forward.

The application period ended Tuesday, October 1, 2024 11:59 PM Pacific time. However, we are still accepting applications for the Executive Director role until further notice.

For the Executive Director role, the Nominations Committee will review all applications and select a short list of candidates for each role to interview. The Nominations Committee will reach out to shortlisted candidates towards the end of October to arrange interviews. Due to the volume of applications we anticipate each year, we unfortunately cannot interview all applicants. Those not selected to continue in the process will be notified at this time as well.

For the Executive Director role, the Nominations Committee currently aims to conduct interviews between the end of October and mid-November. Candidates selected for interviews will receive an email to schedule the interview and further instructions.

Interviews will be held virtually over Zoom and typically last between 30 & 60 minutes. At least two members of the Nominations Committee will conduct each interview, and interviews will be recorded. Recordings will only be shared with the Nominations Committee members for use in selecting the candidate for each role.

DVS is committed to creating an inclusive application process, and candidates are welcome to request accommodations for all aspects of the nominations process, including the interviews. If you’re invited for an interview, the Nominations Committee will collect requests for accommodations at that time.

For the Executive Director role, after all of the interviews with shortlisted candidates have concluded, the Nominations Committee will select the proposed candidate for each open role. These individuals together form the slate.

If you are selected as part of the proposed slate, you will be notified by mid-December and asked to share a short written statement about yourself and your vision for the role. This statement will be provided to members in advance of the Annual General Meeting to allow our membership to cast an informed vote after it concludes. If you are not selected as part of the proposed slate, you will be notified at this time as well.

Dues-paying members are eligible to vote on the leadership of the organization, which takes place following the Annual General Meeting. The meeting will be recorded and voting will be open for 48 hours following the event to allow for disparate time zones.

Since the Nominations Committee will have taken every possible step to ensure that the best, most balanced, and most diverse selection of candidates will be presented for consideration, it is our hope that slate will be accepted. If so, then all six new directors will be appointed. If the slate is rejected, we will look to suggest a revised slate as soon as possible.

You can contact any of the Nominations Committee via Slack (see list below) or contact Nominations Chair Richelle Pittella at nominations@datavisualizationsociety.org.

The Data Visualization Society uses a slating process to select new Board members on an annual cycle. Each year, half of the DVS Director seats are open for applications, which helps us ensure some organizational continuity rather than having a completely new board every two years. For the 2025-26 cycle, the following roles are open for new candidates: Communications Director, DEI Director, Early Career Director, Executive Director, Knowledge Director, and Membership Director.

DVS uses a slating process where the Nominations Committee reviews applications, interviews selected candidates, and selects a candidate for each of the open roles.

While the application period for all other roles has ended, applications for Executive Director are open for self-nomination. We also welcome recommendations of active, engaged community members who you would love to see on the board: you could suggest the name of a fellow DVS member who you think would be a really good fit for any position by emailing Nominations Committee Chair Richelle Pittella at nominations@datavisualizationsociety.org, and she will reach out to invite them to apply.

According to the organization’s Bylaws, paid members of the organization are eligible to serve on the DVS Board. Candidates must be DVS Plus members at the time the slate is proposed. Dues-paying members at any level at the time of the application deadline, including the income conscious rate, are eligible.

This eligibility requirement is consistent with other membership organizations and professional associations. We are committed to maintaining a free ‘Basic’ membership tier as an option, but serving on and voting on the Board are limited to dues-paying members. Basic members are welcome to contribute in more informal leadership roles in the organization if interested.

If you have any questions about your membership status, please contact our Membership Director Nena Untung at membership@datavisualizationsociety.org. You can learn more about these membership levels on our Membership page.

The Nominations Committee includes a mix of current board members and DVS members who either responded to our calls for volunteers or were recommended due to their involvement in the organization. Having DVS members who are not currently serving on the board is critical to ensuring our members have a strong voice in the nominations process and selection of the slate. Board members bring a high level of visibility into the needs and requirements of each role. Nominations Committee members are not eligible to put their name forward as a candidate in this year’s cycle.

The Nominations Committee is always chaired by a current board member who is either completing their term and not seeking an additional term or who is mid-way through their term and therefore not eligible as a candidate. The Nominations Committee Board members include:

• Richelle Pittella, Knowledge Director & Nominations Committee Chair

• Pierre Carpentier, Partnerships Director

• Katja Forbes, DEI Director

• Amanda Makulec, Executive Director

• Nena Untung, Membership Director