NASBE Membership Elects New Leaders to Its Board of Directors

Alexandria, Va. — The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) is pleased to announce the election new leaders to its board of directors. Christine Benson, a member of the Illinois State Board of Education, became NASBE’s board chair at the close of the organization’s virtual Annual Conference and business meeting last October. Sarah Moore, a member of the Arkansas State Board of Education, was voted NASBE’s chair-elect and begins this term on the board immediately. Moore previously served as Southern Area director. She will begin as NASBE’s board chair at the close of its 2023 Annual Conference next October.

The membership also elected regional officers to NASBE’s 2022–23 board.

• Maria Gutierrez, Guam (Western Area director, two-year term)
• Patti Gubbels, Nebraska (Central Area director, two-year term)
• Ken Kuraya, Hawaii (New Member Representative, one-year term)

These individuals will join Woody Exley of Connecticut, who is completing his final year as Northeast Area director and immediate past chair Janet Cannon of Utah. McCall Flynn, representative of the National Council of State Board of Education Executives, and Mackenzie Williams, representative of National Council of State Education Attorneys, serve as ex officio members of NASBE’s board. A Southern Area director will be appointed by Chair Benson in the coming months to fill Chair-Elect Moore’s vacancy.

“State boards of education continue to face the challenges of a lifetime,” Benson said. “NASBE offers board leaders from across the country the opportunity to connect on critical issues of education equity, social-emotional well-being, early childhood, and learning recovery. I am honored to serve as chair and to help state boards across the country shape educational policy to support all students. I aspire for NASBE to continue to grow in understanding of its past, its viability, and its work for the future.”

“I have seen firsthand the pivotal role that NASBE plays for state board of education members across the nation by fostering a community of learning and connection. I am a better state board member because of the enrichment NASBE provides,” noted Chair-Elect Sarah Moore. “I am honored to serve as chair-elect to support the organization’s work and continued growth. Furthermore, I look forward to engaging our membership around building strong education systems that lead to student growth and well-being across the nation.”

“NASBE’s board of directors plays an important role in helping the organization achieve its mission of developing, supporting, and empowering state boards to fully embrace their role as citizen leaders to strengthen education systems so that all students can thrive,” said NASBE President and CEO Paolo DeMaria. “NASBE’s board of directors is stronger than ever to lead in these unprecedented times.”

In October, NASBE’s membership also adopted updated public education positions on high-quality teachers and school and district leaders.

NASBE serves as the only membership organization for state boards of education. A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, NASBE elevates state board members’ voices in national and state policymaking, facilitates the exchange of informed ideas, and supports members in advancing equity and excellence in public education for students of all races, genders, and circumstances. Learn more at www.nasbe.org.

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