AIGA Board of Directors Appoints Rachel Elnar as President-Elect; Opens 2026 Board Nominations

NEW YORK-AIGA, the professional association for design, is pleased to announce the appointment of Rachel Elnar as President-Elect of the AIGA Board of Directors. Effective immediately, Elnar will serve as President-Elect through June 30, 2026, before succeeding Cesar Rivera as Board President for a two-year term ending June 30, 2028.

A longtime leader within AIGA and the broader design community, Elnar brings deep experience in governance, advocacy, and community-centered leadership. In her role as President-Elect, she will work closely with the Board and staff to support strategic priorities, ensure continuity of leadership, and advance AIGA's mission to champion the profession of design.

"AIGA is strengthened by leaders who are deeply committed to service, equity, and the future of our profession," said Cesar Rivera, AIGA Board President. "Rachel's experience and perspective will be an asset to the organization during this transition and beyond. With Jen Ford serving as Vice President, we have strong board leadership in place to ensure the vitality and stability of AIGA."

Rachel Elnar, President-Elect
Executive Producer/Cofounder, Together By Design

Rachel Elnar approaches community building the way she learned hospitality-by creating spaces where people feel seen and valued, whether the room is physical or digital. She serves on the AIGA National Board and has served on the AIGA Los Angeles and AIGA Orange County chapter boards, bringing that same care to education and meaningful connection across the design community.

A designer and educator, Rachel built global creative communities at Adobe through Creative Jams and Creative Connections event programs, where thousands of designers gathered for education and connection. She founded the LA chapter of TypeThursday and co-founded TypeEd to teach typography through how humans actually perceive and read. She co-hosts the Cheers & Tiers podcast about design leadership and community building and has taught at ArtCenter College of Design, Cal Poly Pomona, and Cal State LA. Today, through Together By Design, she helps organizations bring that same sense of hospitality to digital events at scale.

2026 AIGA Board Nominations Now Open

In conjunction with this announcement, AIGA has opened self-nominations for its 2026 Board of Directors. The Board plays a critical role in stewarding the organization's mission, ensuring sound governance, and representing the breadth of the design community AIGA serves.

AIGA encourages members and community leaders from across disciplines, geographies, and lived experiences to consider nominating themselves for board service. Additional information about board roles, responsibilities, and the nomination process is available on AIGA.org.

Each open board position carries a three-year term, effective July 1. Interested candidates may apply online through March 22, 2026.

Continuing members of the AIGA Board are:

• Cesar Rivera (President), Creative Executive, Advisor, Mentor
• Jennifer Ford (Vice President), Executive Director of Marketing & Communications, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications
• Dawn Davidson (Secretary), President/Creative Director, ABI - Alpha Business Images
• Art Taylor (Treasurer), President & CEO, Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global)
• Lama Ajinah, Founder and Chief Strategist, Co-Designs
• Victor Davila, Associate Professor at the University of Central Florida
• Aleksey Fedorov, Director of Global Brand Marketing, Microsoft
• Nicole Parente-Lopez, Creative Executive, Advisor, Mentor
• Eileen Prado, Operational and Financial Professional
• Mihali Stavlas, CEO/Founder, Mellonaid
• Isaiah Steinfeld, Founder & CEO, Neue Alchemy
• Reggie Tidwell, Owner/Creative Director, Curve Theory
• Ying Zhang, Creative Director, Human Rights Foundation
• Alberto Rigau, Creative Director, Editorial Revés

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Media Contact

Michelle Koenigsknecht

AIGA

About AIGA
AIGA, the professional association for design, advances design as a professional craft, strategic advantage, and vital cultural force. As the largest community of design advocates, AIGA brings together practitioners, enthusiasts, and patrons to amplify the voice of design and create a collective vision for the future. AIGA defines global standards and ethical practices, guides design education, inspires designers and the public, enhances professional development, and makes powerful tools and resources accessible to all.