Call for INTA Board of Director Nominations

INTA is now accepting nominations for candidates to serve on its Board of Directors beginning January 1, 2027. The Nominating Committee invites current leaders and active volunteers to participate in identifying the Association’s future volunteer leaders by submitting nominations through the Board nominations portal no later than May 20, 2026.

Eligible nominators include Board Members and Counsel; Committee Members; members of the Belonging & Inclusion Council, Global Advisory Councils, Program Advisory Council, and Research Advisory Council; Task Force and Project Team members; Past Presidents and Past Counsel; INTA Foundation Board of Governors; and INTA staff. All eligible participants received an email on April 21, 2026, containing a link to the nominations portal. That message, along with periodic reminder emails, provides instructions for submitting nominations.

About the 2027 Board Openings
The Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for:

• Seven Regular (corporate) Member Directors, and
• Three Associate Member Directors

All positions carry a three-year term commencing January 1, 2027.

Nominations of all qualified members are welcome. For the 2027–2029 term, the Committee has particular interest in Regular Member nominees based outside the United States, including candidates from Asia-Pacific, Europe, India, and Latin America. The Committee is also interested in young practitioners who demonstrate strategic thinking, leadership potential, and the ability to contribute fresh perspectives at the Board level.

Prior service on multiple INTA committees, particularly across different Groups (such as Advocacy and Resources and the former Communications Group), is considered beneficial. Eligible nominators may submit more than one candidate and may also nominate themselves. When submitting a nomination, nominators are encouraged to describe how each candidate would contribute to a leadership team that represents the breadth of our community.

Commitment to Broad and Inclusive Leadership
One of INTA’s greatest strengths is its broad, global volunteer leadership. The Association values leaders who reflect its membership across industry sectors, geographic regions, and professional experience. The Nominating Committee also seeks nominees who have demonstrated a commitment to fostering collaboration, engagement, and inclusion within the INTA community.

How Nominations Are Evaluated

The Nominating Committee evaluates the quality, not the quantity, of nominations. While multiple nominations for a single candidate are not uncommon, the Committee focuses on the substance and strength of the supporting comments rather than the number of submissions received.

• Because there are relatively few open positions each year, the Nominating Committee tracks and considers candidates who have been nominated in multiple years.
• If your nominees are not selected it is still good practice to nominate them year over year if you believe they would be good contributors to the Board.
• You should feel free to check with your nominee to make sure they are willing to serve and would have the support of their organization if selected.
• You can also remind them that even if not selected the first time nominated, they can be considered if nominated in multiple years.

Please note that the Nominating Committee is not seeking Officer candidates for 2027. Although Associate Member representatives became eligible to serve as Secretary and in one Vice President position beginning in 2026, the Association is currently in a transition period toward adding a second Associate Member Officer position. To support that transition, no new Officer candidates will be considered for the 2027 election cycle.

General Criteria for Nominees
When proposing candidates, nominators are encouraged to consider whether nominees demonstrate:

• Strategic Vision: Ability to contribute to high-level discussions, drive long-term vision, and apply a global perspective to issues.
• Expertise in IP: Possess in-depth knowledge of the issues across multiple areas of IP to shape forward-thinking IP strategies.
• Understanding INTA’s Priorities: Have a strong grasp of industry trends, legal and policy challenges, and a commitment to advancing INTA’s Strategic Plan.
• Dedication to INTA: Show active and meaningful engagement in INTA initiatives, including regular participation in committees and consistently delivering high-quality work in a timely manner.
• Leadership and Role Modeling: Exhibit strong leadership qualities and serve as role models for other INTA volunteers, inspiring collaboration, and effectively representing INTA’s mission and values.

What Happens Next

The nominations portal will remain open through May 20, 2026. After the submission period closes, the Nominating Committee will begin its deliberations in June. A preliminary slate will be shared with the Board in September, followed by circulation of the full slate to Regular Members in mid-October for proxy voting. The election will be formally held in November at the Annual Meeting of Members.

The Nominating Committee encourages eligible members to participate in this important process and looks forward to receiving nominations. Thank you to all who take the time to help identify and support INTA’s future leaders.