SACNAS Elects New Members To National Board Of Directors, Including 6th Woman President

SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science) announces the election of five new members to its national Board of Directors, including President-elect Dr. Charla Lambert, who will be the 3^rd consecutive woman president and the sixth woman president in the organization’s 48-year history. 

President-Elect 

Charla Lambert, PhD  
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer  
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory 

General Board Members Elect 

Jani C. Ingram, PhD  
Regents’ Professor  
Northern Arizona University  

Dena Smith-Nufio, PhD  
Program Director  
National Science Foundation  

Austin J. Shelton, PhD  
Assistant Professor of Extension & Outreach and Director  
University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant  

Ingrid Montes-González, PhD  
Professor Department of Chemistry  
University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus 

Student Board Member Elect  

Lauren W. Yowelunh McLester-Davis  
Graduate Research Assistant  
Tulane University 

“As we reflect on 2021, it is clear that no person can achieve our vision of True Diversity in STEM alone. It takes all of us, bringing our unique talents, backgrounds and experiences together, to make positive change happen,” said President Dr. Pamela Padilla. “That’s why I am so pleased to welcome these diverse and committed leaders to our Board. Together, the Board of Directors will work, alongside members, partners and staff, to accomplish the ambitious goals laid out by SACNAS' five-year strategic plan, including a doubling of our membership by 2026. Together, we will achieve more.” 

The new Board Members will take office in January 2022. Previous women presidents were Drs. Pamela Padilla (current), Sonia Zárate, Maggie Werner-Washburne, Marigold Linton, and Maria Elena Zavala. 

“We are also grateful to the membership for voting at a record number, and the Board Members who will be completing their term this year,” added Dr. Padilla. “Thank you for your time, energy, and perspective as we chart a new path forward for our communities.” 

About SACNAS 

For over 48 years, SACNAS has served as an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanics & Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership within STEM. Today, the organization serves a growing community of over 28,000 supporters including 8,200+ members and 133 student and professional chapters throughout the United States, including Guam and Puerto Rico. SACNAS influences the STEM diversity movement through STEM outreach & advocacy, promotion of STEM leaders, and The SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference.  Learn more about SACNAS at sacnas.org, Facebook, or Twitter.