Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) - Board of Directors

Introduction

We see it every day across the world: A water pump makes clean water gush from the tap and keeps everyone healthy. A welcoming school building means kids are able to study undisturbed. Solar panels on a healthcare facility bring light when mothers give birth at night. The World Bank says “Access to basic infrastructure services is critical for creating economic opportunities for the poor”. We say: Engineers make the world a better place.

For 23 years, EWB-USA has mobilized engineers to volunteer their expertise, their time and to raise donations toward essential community infrastructure needs. Together with communities, we are building footbridges to provide pathways to opportunities; we are installing solar panels to bring light where it is dark; we’re digging for water so hope can spring from the ground. Each project builds the foundation for a community to thrive, here across the US, and around the world.

Since our founding in 2002, we have iterated on and improved our project delivery model. Our Purposeful Partnership Model ensures that quality, sustainability, empowerment, and scale are at the center of every project. With 4,500 volunteers active on 350 projects, we are looking for Board Directors who will help us take our impact to the next level. Specifically, we are looking for Directors who will be able to help us:

• Grow philanthropic support to enable our partnership approach in ten countries

• Scale our volunteer and project coordination platform

• Experiment with innovative financing mechanisms

• Unify our brand and voice

Our Vision

A world where every leader is equipped to build and every community is built to thrive.

Our Mission

Partner with communities and develop leaders to build a better world.

The Board of Directors

EWB-USA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors comprises leaders from a number of sectors. Each director acts as independent stewards of EWB-USA as a public good and brings their lived experiences and professional expertise to bear when doing so. Our board is diligent in the creation of an equitable and inclusive environment where every voice and point of view is heard and adds value to the decisions we make together. Our Board is focused on strategy and seeks to position EWB-USA for its greatest possible impact potential.

Our board members champion the importance of exceptional board leadership and believe that each and every organization needs a strong and effective board to fully realize its potential for impact. In addition to the standard roles and responsibilities of a board member, our board members are active advocates and ambassadors for the organization. The Board of Directors meets on a quarterly basis, and works year round in Board Committees, in close collaboration with EWB-USA’s CEO.

Our Governance Committee reviews the Board’s effectiveness including the competencies (knowledge, experience, and abilities) of our board members every year and recruits for specific positions. 

Board Volunteer Position Overview:

We are excited to welcome 1 or 2 new Directors with a passion and commitment to Community Engineering as a way to deliver impact both locally and globally. 
Responsibilities include:

• Regularly attend and actively participate in quarterly Board meetings. 

• Regularly attend and actively participate in at least one Board Committee.

• Provide input in the development, management, and evaluation of policies, strategy and operating plans.

• Oversee organizational finances including the approval of yearly budgets.

• Oversee risks facing the organization and ensure they are properly managed.

• Advocate for and positively represent EWB-USA to the general public.

• Fundraise for EWB-USA and support the EWB-USA team’s efforts to secure funding for its activities.

• Directors are all invited to give time, talent and treasure to support EWB-USA.

At this time, we are welcoming applicants with one or more of the following experience and skills:
Specific attributes

• Finance - Finance expertise is a priority area of need. Strategic finance, overall organizational financial health management and analysis, and understanding of innovative finance mechanisms.

• Fundraising - Experience in activating philanthropic partnerships and capital campaigns. 

• Executive Leadership

• Brand positioning

• Advocacy, policy engagement in the impact sector

• Perspective outside of EWB-USA with other successful social cause organizations, knowledge of the leading edge of social innovation, social entrepreneurship, social organizing, technology for good

Time Commitment:

• Quarterly meetings (10-20 hours per quarter, including reading board materials). 

• 5 hours per month on average for committee work.

• Participation at our Annual conferences (next up February 25-28, 2026, in Portland, OR)

• Service term: 3 years (with potential option for renewal)

Location and expenses
Our meetings are hosted at EWB-USA headquarters, in Denver, Colorado. Travel and accommodation are at the Director’s expense. EWB-USA is able to consider accommodation when the financial burden would be a barrier to participation, and some meetings can be attended virtually. Food during meetings is covered by EWB-USA.

Place of residence of the applicant is not a barrier to successful application. The space is wheelchair accessible. EWB-USA is conscious about time differences when scheduling meetings, and will do our best to schedule meetings at a suitable time for all. 

Board culture and commitments
EWB-USA embraces diverse cultures, heritages, experiences and opinions in efforts to enrich our programs and foster sound decision-making. EWB is committed to providing barrier-free participation free from discrimination, and to selecting diverse candidates to our Board.

EWB-USA seeks to achieve a vision of a more equitable society, inherent to which is the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, class, ethnicity, disability, age or any other status. We encourage everyone to apply, and to let us know of any accommodations they may need.

Application Process

Interested individuals should submit their application by Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Applicants are asked to submit a resume/CV and respond to the following questions (in 200 words or less per answer):

1. What drew you to apply to be a Director for EWB-USA's board and why do you want to be a part of the team? 

2. What aspect of EWB-USA’s work most excites you? What are some areas for growth potential that you see in the organization?

3. Check all that apply: Do you have skills or experiences in any of the following areas?

   1. Professional experience in Senior Finance. Including compliance, corporate and strategic finance, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and impact investments - with an understanding of specific charitable organizations’ accounting needs.

   2. Connections to the Major Giving and Private Foundations sector in the USA and experience with fundraising campaigns.

   3. Engagement in Domestic and/or International Development sectors with an understanding of broader social impact.

   4. Executive level experience in for-profit or not-for-profit.

   5. Leadership and/or experience in not-for-profit governance

4. Please pick the 1-2 attributes from above that are most applicable to your potential role on our board. How do you see yourself applying them on the Board?

5. How do you believe EWB-USA should pursue development in a more equitable manner?

Successful applicants will be contacted by August 1, 2025 and invited to participate in the interview process that will be conducted virtually.  We encourage applicants to invite a person of support during the interview process if they so desire. 

If you are facing any barriers that may inhibit your ability to take part in the interview process, please let us know when we reach out to schedule the interview and we will make accommodations. 

Thank you for taking the time to express your interest!