Learn More About ISACA’s Governing Body
Made up of dedicated leaders, ISACA’s Board of Directors define strategy and innovation for our global professional community. Its visionary leadership and expert counsel help shape the future of ISACA and the professions we serve. It is responsible for the overall governance of ISACA.
Duties and Responsibilities
The board’s duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Provides executive knowledge and makes decisions in the best interests of ISACA on behalf of its members and other stakeholders
- Provides governance, control and oversight, and participates in the preparation and approval of the strategic plan
- Exercises its authority directly or through committees of the board
- Provides direction, advice and counsel to ISACA’s senior management
- Abides by and supports ISACA’s Code of Professional Ethics.
- Leverages professional network in support of ISACA
- Maintains a global perspective on professional issues and ISACA matters
- Leads by example through an energetic dedication and ability to accomplish ISACA objectives while maintaining exemplary leadership qualities and demonstrating positive performance in professional and volunteer roles
Board Committees
ISACA’s board is supported by a series of committees, which include the Audit & Risk, Compensation & Human Capital Management, Executive, Governance & Nominating, and Innovation & Technology committees. Learn more about each one’s mission and purpose by downloading their charters below.
ISACA Governance FAQs
Updated 23 September 2024
ISACA is fully committed to governance good practices, transparency and integrity. To that end, we have compiled some frequently asked questions and provided answers here.
Q. How does the Nominations Process work?
A. There are two ways for members to submit nominations for the ISACA Board.
1) NOMINATION BY PETITION
Pursuant to Section 4.6(b) of the ISACA bylaws, any member in good standing may petition, subject to compliance with the conditions set forth below, to be a candidate for the ISACA board.
To be valid, the petition of a member must satisfy the following requirements:
- A minimum of two hundred and fifty (250) members shall have signed the petition; provided, however, that among the two hundred and fifty (250) members, each one is a member in good standing and no more than twenty-five (25) may be from any one Chapter; and
- The petition must be delivered to the Chair of the Nominating Committee at the address of the International Headquarters on or before the earlier of 1 January of the same year in which the Nominated Director term will commence or one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the Annual Meeting; and
- The petition may not nominate members of the Nominating & Governance Committee for Nominated Director positions.
This form must be used to submit nomination petitions and each signature must have a legible member name and number so that signatures can be verified.
2) NOMINATION THROUGH THE GOVERNANCE & NOMINATING COMMITTEE
ISACA members may also submit nominations for open director positions on the ISACA Board through the Governance & Nominating Committee.
Each year, ISACA’s Governance & Nominating Committee puts forth a slate of candidates for the open director positions in the subsequent term of the Board. The Governance & Nominating Committee seeks to obtain a blend of experience and skills necessary to support the successful running of an association, as well as deep ISACA experience steeped in the organization’s mission.
In addition, the Governance & Nominating Committee seeks diversity of gender, race, global origin, and industry that reflects the diversity of ISACA stakeholders.
The Governance & Nominating Committee works with a matrix that encompasses the current Board’s diversity, skills, expertise, and background. This matrix facilitates a gap analysis, identifying areas to address regarding Board composition for the upcoming term.
The Governance & Nominating Committee seeks candidates who have demonstrated their abilities and possess the desire to dedicate a minimum of three years of their time and energy to ISACA and exhibit a commitment to being an effective Board member.
The Board has identified certain experiences and skills that fit the needs and strategy of the organization. Preferred candidates will exhibit one or more of the following:
- Experience on an ISACA Chapter board or significant volunteer experience on behalf of ISACA
- Experience in driving chapter growth in membership and membership participation
- Experience in government/government advocacy to support ISACA advocacy objectives as well as ISACA’s Capability Maturity Model in the software and medical fields
- Experience as a CTO in an e-commerce/publishing/education-related organization is a plus
- Experience as a CISO
- Visionary in the field of cutting-edge technology
- Experience as a Head of Internal Audit or Senior IT Audit professional
- A “Financial Expert,” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and an expert in US GAAP accounting to support the Audit & Risk Committee
- Experience as a Chief Risk Officer with an emphasis on operational (People, Processes and Technology), strategic and financial risks to support the Audit & Risk Committee
- Experienced CEOs with proven success in companies with more than 250 people in a space in or adjacent to ISACA’s business who are mission-driven
- Expertise in employee compensation and benefits of a global yet predominantly US-based organization to support the Compensation and Talent Management Committee
- Experience in digital transformation
- Experience as a Head of Product Development with a successful track record
- Experienced Chief Marketing Officer
- C-Suite experience in education-related companies
The Governance & Nominating Committee reviews ALL nominations submitted during the eligibility period and determines which nominees will move on for the interview process. The Governance & Nominating Committee may also enlist the help of a global search firm to provide additional candidates with specific skills, to aid in screening finalist candidates and to provide independent background checks.
Q. Are all regions represented on the board?
A. ISACA’s board aims to have diversity of expertise, gender, ethnicity and geography. Ensuring the continued representation of the membership has been a key directive for the board, and one that has been embraced through an active and rigorous nomination and selection process. Ideally the Board would have representation from all regions every term, but using a strict quota system to select directors is impractical and could lead to the association missing out on the most qualified candidates being elected to the Board, which is why this requirement was removed from the bylaws. However, we are committed to continue drawing from all our membership regions through time so we may continue to grow through our board diversity, and the board engages a global executive search firm based in Switzerland to identify top external candidates from across the world as well.
ISACA has more than 1,500 dedicated volunteers each year, and every region is represented among those volunteers, enabling members in all regions to help influence, guide and shape the association. The diversity of ISACA’s professional community is one of our greatest strengths.
Q. Do board members receive compensation?
A. No, ISACA board directors are unpaid volunteers.
Q. What are ISACA’s board term limits?
A. Terms are one year, beginning after the close of the AGM of each year, and directors may serve up to nine terms.
Q. Who are the current board directors?
A. ISACA’s board directors are listed here.
Q. When are nominations open each year?
A. Nominations by member petition or through the Governance & Nominating Committee can be submitted from the close of the AGM to 1 January of the following year.
Q. Can I nominate myself for the board?
A. Both self-nominations and nominations by others are encouraged.
Q. What information is required to nominate someone?
A. Interested applicants (or those that nominate another individual) complete the online nomination form by providing the candidate’s name, email address, ISACA member # and supporting answers to the various questions on the form (what background or expertise that individual would bring to the Board). All candidates must provide a CV along with a Letter of Recommendation as part of their candidate materials. Candidates must submit a minimum of 1 letter and may submit up to 3 letters of recommendation. ISACA staff and current ISACA Board members may not submit a letter of recommendation on behalf of a candidate.
Q. How are the chair and vice chair selected?
A. The Chair and Vice Chair of the ISACA Board of Directors are selected each year by the current Board from the current sitting Board Directors.
Q. Does ISACA host an Annual General Meeting? How are members made aware?
A. Yes, ISACA hosts an Annual General Meeting each year, governed by Roberts Rules of Order, per the ISACA bylaws. All members receive an electronic notice of the AGM and are invited to attend. The 2024 AGM took place in Schaumburg, Illinois, USA, and virtually. When a quorum of members is not reached (5 percent of the total voting membership), no items may be voted on. This year’s AGM did not achieve a quorum, so the meeting was strictly informational and ceremonial, including the installation of the 2024-2025 Board of Directors and a financial report.
Q: How can I find out what happened at the Annual General Meeting?
A. All members receive an invitation to the AGM at least one month before it occurs. If you were unable to attend the most recent AGM, you can find a detailed summary on the Annual General Meeting page.
Q. Where can I find information on ISACA’s financials?
A. ISACA’s financials are included in the organization’s annual report, which publishes each year in April. The information is also shared at the Annual General Meeting, to which all members are invited.
Q. Can I access the ISACA bylaws?
A. Yes, ISACA’s bylaws are available here.
Q. How do I contact an ISACA Board Director?
A. The Board appreciates the identification of areas where there are opportunities to improve our communication and transparency. Please reach out with any questions or comments to communications@bagmakerblog.com.
Q. What are ISACA’s Strategic Advisory Councils, and what do they do?
A. ISACA established regional Strategic Advisory Councils in 2022. All chapter presidents are de facto members of their region’s SAC. These councils seek to better understand the needs and opportunities in each region and, subsequently, assist in the planning of respective initiatives. They meet on an as-needed basis, typically twice per year.