Officers

Allie Drexler, Chair – chair.nabn@bundestagalumni-na.org
Karena Detweiler, Vice Chair – vicechair.nabn@bundestagalumni-na.org

Position Descriptions

Chair

The Chair leads the North America IPS Alumni Network by shaping its vision, energizing its community, and serving as the key bridge between alumni, partner institutions, and the global IPS ecosystem. You’ll guide the rhythm of the year, welcoming new IPS participants, representing the network at major IPS events, supporting the annual selection process, and sparking additional meetups and transatlantic conversations wherever alumni gather.

Beyond events, the Chair keeps the network connected and visible: strengthening partnerships with organizations like the German‑American Alumni Association, ensuring clear and engaging communication across our website, LinkedIn, and newsletters, and maintaining close collaboration with the Bundestag and the German Embassy. The role also provides steady leadership behind the scenes—coordinating the Board, overseeing compliance and continuity, leading elections, and ensuring that strategic priorities turn into real action. It’s a chance to shape a growing, globally connected alumni community and help carry the IPS spirit forward.

Vice Chair

The Vice Chair helps drive the momentum of the North America IPS Alumni Network by strengthening connections across the region and amplifying our presence within the global IPS community. This is a flexible, self‑directed role, perfect for someone who enjoys building relationships, spotting opportunities, and shaping initiatives based on their own strengths and interests. You’ll help expand the alumni network, nurture regional leadership, and tap into the rapid growth of IPS country networks worldwide, all while supporting the Chair in steering the organization forward.

You’ll represent NABN at IPS events, conferences, and international gatherings; initiate meetups and community‑building moments wherever alumni naturally convene. The Vice Chair plays a key role in connecting people across borders, linking North American alumni to global initiatives, and ensuring the network stays vibrant, visible, and engaged. It’s a chance to help shape a truly global community at a moment when international collaboration matters more than ever.

Treasurer

The Treasurer is the network’s financial steward, ensuring that NABN remains compliant, transparent, and on solid footing year after year. This role oversees all core financial operations, from maintaining our 501(c)(3) status and filing the annual IRS Form 990, to managing the biennial Washington, DC nonprofit registration through our registered agent. The Treasurer keeps our financial systems running smoothly by tracking income and expenses, issuing donation receipts, maintaining accurate records, and safeguarding organizational funds through responsible banking oversight.

Just as importantly, the Treasurer helps the Board make informed decisions by preparing clear financial reports and supporting long‑term planning. While NABN has not yet undergone an audit, the Treasurer coordinates external reviews when needed and ensures our practices align with nonprofit standards. It’s a role for someone who enjoys structure, clarity, and accountability, and who wants to help keep the organization strong, compliant, and ready for growth.

Secretary

The Secretary keeps the North America IPS Alumni Network running smoothly by managing its core governance and internal operations. This includes taking clear, accurate minutes during board and general meetings, maintaining organized records across Google Drive and Google Groups, and ensuring alumni information stays up to date in the database. The Secretary also provides light technical support when needed. Communication is always key and helping the Board and broader community stay coordinated and informed is a key part of this role.

A major part of the role is overseeing the Network’s elections: the biennial Board elections (typically April–June) and the annual election of the New Alumni Delegate (July–August). This involves managing nominations, communicating with cohorts, and guiding the process using established templates and procedures. By keeping the organization’s documentation, elections, and internal systems in order, the Secretary plays a key role in ensuring continuity, transparency, and a well‑functioning alumni community.