President Elect

The President of ISPAH is a position elected by the ISPAH membership. The role involves a 6-year commitment: 2 years as President-Elect (2026-2028), 2 years as President (2028-2030), and 2 years as Past President (2030-2032). 

Roles:

The role of the President-Elect is to:

• Oversee the process of identifying a host organization for the ISPAH Congress in 2030.
• Lead the biennial ISPAH Congress awards process (e.g. calls for nominees, coordinating review process).
• Serve and participate in Executive Committee meetings (attended by the President, Past President and President-Elect).
• Serve and participate in Board meetings.
• Support the President in the successful organization and delivery of the ISPAH Congress as needed (e.g. scientific programming, logistics, partnerships).

The role of the ISPAH President is to:

• Act as the primary public facing representative of the Society.
• Provide leadership to the Society and Board activities.
• Oversee strategic directions of ISPAH with periodic review of progress.
• Chair Board meetings and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) hosted at the Congress, preparing an annual report detailing the previous year’s activities.
• Oversee the Executive Committee.
• Provide direction (as needed) to the work of Board Members.
• Oversee the nomination and election process of the President-Elect.
• Oversee, with support of Board Members, the reporting of ISPAH for non-profit status.
• Oversee, with the Finance Lead, the financial accounts of ISPAH and annual audit reports.
• Authorize financial transactions in the absence of the Finance Lead, or when they exceed a minimum amount of $250.
• Ultimate oversight for successful organization and delivery of the ISPAH Congress (e.g. MOU signing, development and execution of scientific program).

The role of the Past-President is to:

• Provide support and guidance to the President and the Board on matters of governance.
• Lead Fellows selection process at each biennial ISPAH Congress (e.g. calls for nominees, selection process, ordering of awards).
• Serve and participate in Executive Committee meetings.
• Serve and participate in Board meetings.
• Act as Chair of Board meetings in absence of the President.
• Ensure a smooth transition to new President by providing institutional memory and serving as a ‘sounding board’.
• Support the President in the successful organization and delivery of the ISPAH Congress as needed (e.g. scientific programming, logistics, partnerships).

Requirements:

• Established and influential scholar in the field of physical activity and health
• Strategic thinker and negotiator
• Excellent leadership skills
• Experience collaborating with a broad portfolio of external partners (e.g., across academia, policy, practice)

Eligible candidates:

All ISPAH members are eligible to run for President. Preference is given to candidates who have served on the ISPAH Board, supported the activities of ISPAH and/or been active in regional networks on physical activity. 

To apply:

Please click on the “Apply” button (to the right) and submit the following information:

• Short statement responding to the question: What do you see as key priorities for the Society over the next six years? (max 500 words)
• CV (max 2 pages)
• Letter(s) of support (optional)

Procedure:

1. The ISPAH Board will evaluate the received applications and shortlist two individuals. Where there are more than four applicants, the ISPAH Executive will first shortlist to 4 applicants. A brief interview with potential candidates, conducted by a member of the ISPAH Executive Board, may be required depending on the number of applications received.
2. For the two shortlisted candidates, applicant names and statements will be posted on the ISPAH website at the opening of the ballot period. 
3. The ISPAH membership will be invited to vote by way of electronic survey – only ISPAH members will be eligible to vote. 
4. Voting will take place from 4^th May and close on 30^th May. 
5. The candidate receiving the largest number of votes from ISPAH members shall win the election. 
6. In the case of a tie, the ISPAH Board will vote to select one of the two candidates.

Reviewers:

Karen Milton (ISPAH Past President)

Sjaan Gomersall (ISPAH President)

Deborah Salvo (ISPAH President-Elect)

Applications Due:

April 1, 2026, 11:59 GMT