International Board of Directors
Candidate Forum
Meet the candidates for the Optimist International Board of Directors Wednesday, April 26, at 7 p.m. CDT during an online forum. Click here to register.

All clubs are eligible to vote between May 1 and May 30. Club Presidents should seek input from Members on which candidates to support. Further instructions on how to cast your Club's vote will be shared prior to May 1.

The candidates are:
Rod McKendrick (AMS&NW)
Sandi Schmidt (IL & IA)
The Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates listed below ran unopposed and were elected by acclamation.

2023-2024 International President-Elect:


2023-2024 International Vice Presidents-Elect:

  • Region 1 Northeast & Great Lakes: Denise Nacev (CENON)
  • Region 2 Southeast: Tolanda B. Adams (ALMS)
  • Region 3 Mid-Atlantic: Tom Shearer (CAPVA)
  • Region 4 Middle America: Sandra Doyle (INDN)
  • Region 5 Great Plains: Jodi Arriola (WINUM)
  • Region 6 Southwest: Tony Carpenter (COWY)
  • Region 7 West Coast: Diane Siefkes (AZ)

For more information, click on a candidate's name or visit optimist.org/member/elections.