NADOHE's Board of Directors guides the organization as it executes its mission to lead higher education towards inclusive excellence. Five members serve as executive officers, and 13 additional members serve on the board. The Board includes three ex-officio members. Members can learn more about board membership here.
For NADOHE media inquiries, please email pr@nadohe.org. For other questions related to NADOHE, please email info@nadohe.org.
President
The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) announced the appointment of Emelyn A. dela Peña, Ed.D., as its new President and Chief Executive Officer in February 2026. A nationally recognized leader and advocate, Dr. dela Peña brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education.
She succeeds Paulette Granberry Russell, J.D., who led the organization from 2020 through the end of 2025, transitioning to the role of President Emerita on January 1. The appointment of Dr. dela Peña follows a national search and reflects the Board’s commitment to sustaining NADOHE’s leadership at a pivotal time for higher education.
Dr. dela Peña’s leadership experience includes senior-level roles at Loyola Marymount University, Stanford University, Washington University in St. Louis, Harvard College, and the University of California, San Diego. Most recently, she served as Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Loyola Marymount University, where she led campus-wide strategy and earned the NADOHE Institutional Inclusive Excellence Award and the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award.
At Stanford University, Dr. dela Peña served as Associate Vice Provost for Inclusion, Community and Integrative Learning, leading a major change-management initiative to realign departments and resources in support of student equity and inclusion.
Committees
The work of our organization depends on the expertise and efforts of our talented membership. We invite you to deepen your involvement with NADOHE by joining one of our committees. To join a committee, please contact the committee chair or Debra Nolan at dnolan@nadohe.org.
Advancement
The Advancement Committee facilitates fund raising efforts in order to advance special projects and other work consistent with the association's mission.
Awards
The Awards Committee annually solicits and reviews nominations for NADOHE awards and collaboratively selects awardees.
Bylaws
The Bylaws Committee reviews the Bylaws of the Association and recommends necessary changes to the Board of Directors. Any changes in the Bylaws recommended by the Committee must be approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors before submission to the membership during the Association's annual business meeting for ratification.
Conference
The Conference Committee meets electronically for approximately eight months to plan and coordinate NADOHE's Annual Conference. All committee members must also be available to play an active role in sub-committees.
Finance
The Finance Committee ensures compliance with the Association’s Financial Policies and Procedures, reviews investment options and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors, and monitors the Reserve Fund balance.
Global Engagement
The Global Engagement Committee reviews and suggests international opportunities and programs for NADOHE members and seeks to expand awareness and opportunities for international collaboration.
Membership
The Membership Committee seeks to expand the institutional and individual membership of NADOHE. The committee will work with the national Administrative Executive, the Treasurer, and Marketing Committee to grow NADOHE into a nationwide membership-based association. The committee conducts its business via electronic media, including conference calls.
Nominations Committee
The Nominations Committee implements the annual Board of Directors nominations and the biannual Officers elections in a transparent, inclusive, and timely manner, consistent with the NADOHE Bylaws.
Professional Development
The Professional Development Committee is dedicated to the identification of dynamic and relevant programming that promotes both the individual and institutional advancement of NADOHE's membership.
Public Policy
The Public Policy Committee of NADOHE is charged with reviewing federal and state policies that impact diversity and equity in higher education.