Board of Directors 2025 Election Slate

We are pleased to present to the ABM voting membership the slate of nominees for the ABM Board of Directors, whose terms will begin on November 16.

Nominations Committee Process | Slated Candidates | Slate Approval Process

Overview of the Nominations Committee Process 

The Nominations Committee leads the annual process to identify and recommend candidates for the ABM Board of Directors. The process is designed to be fair, transparent, and accessible to all voting members, regardless of location or background.

Key Steps:

• Timeline Planning: The committee and staff establish a clear timeline for each stage of the nominations process.
• Role Review: The Board's role descriptions and information sheets are updated annually.
• Volunteer Database: A database of voting members is maintained, including those who have served on committees, expressed interest, or have been recommended by others.
• Competency & Rotation Review: The committee reviews the skills needed on the Board and identifies which positions will become available.
• Call for Applications: All voting members are invited to apply, with a submission deadline of at least 60 days.
• Candidate Evaluation: Applications are reviewed using a standardized rubric. 
• Candidate Interviews: Selected candidates are invited to participate in an interview. 
• Final Slate: The committee completes evaluations for each interview and presents the recommended slate of candidates to the Board of Directors for approval. The slate is then presented to the voting members. 

Slated Candidates

The Nominations Committee has recommended the following individuals for the upcoming Board term. Click on each candidate's name to view their detailed candidate profile.

	Casey B. Rosen-Carole, MD MPH MSEd NABBLM-C FABM Chief of the Division of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine University of Rochester Rochester, New York, United States	President-Elect	View Profile
	Rima L. Strassman, MD NABBLM-C FABM Medical Director of Lactation Services St. Luke's University Health Network Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States	Treasurer	View Profile
	Andrea Esquivel, MD IBCLC MNC Doctor, APIP Hidalgo, México	Director	View Profile
	Melissa E. Glassman, MD MPH IBCLC FABM Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics; Medical Director, Newborn Clinic; Medical Director New York-Presbyterian Hospital Outpatient Breastfeeding Support Program Columbia University New York, New York, United States	Director	View Profile
	Sandra Massry Dana, MD IBCLC MHom MsC MEd Private Practice México	Director	View Profile
	Adora Okogbule-Wonodi, MBBS FAAP BSc Clinical Associate Professor Howard University Washington, DC, United States	Director	View Profile
	Zaharah Sulaiman, MBBS MMed IBCLC FILCA FABM Medical Lecturer and Lactation Consultant Universiti Sains Malaysia Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia	Director	View Profile

Slate Approval & Petitioning Process

Member Review Period

All voting members have until 11:59 pm Central Daylight Time (CDT) on October 25, 2025, to review the slate of candidates above.

Petitioning

Any voting member may request to be considered for any open Board position. To do so:

• Submit a written petition to the ABM staff.
• Obtain written letters of support from 10% of the voting membership.
• Complete and submit the candidate application form that was initially collected in May during the open call for candidates. 

Confidentiality

The names of members who support a petition will remain confidential. Only the Executive Director will have access to this information.

If Petitions are Received

• The ABM staff will verify the eligibility of the petition support letters.
• If the requirements are met, the committee chair is notified. 
• The slated candidate is informed, and an election ballot is prepared, including both the slated and petitioned candidates.
• The candidate who receives the most votes is elected.

How To Submit a Petition

If  you are a voting member and wish to petition to be considered for an open Board position, please follow these steps:

1. Prepare Your Petition Request:

• Write a formal petition stating your intent to be considered for the Board and list the position you are petitioning for. 

• Collect letters of support from 10% of the voting membership. You may contact the ABM staff for guidance on how to contact the voting membership at [email protected].
2. Submit Your Petition
• Send your petition request and letters of support to the Executive Director, Nicole Wallace, at [email protected].
• Complete the candidate application form online. Your online application must be submitted at the same time as your petition request and letters of support. 
3. Verification
• The ABM staff will verify that all petition signatures are from qualified voting members.
• If your petition meets the requirements, the Nominations Committee will be notified, and your name will be added to the election ballot.

The deadline to submit a petition is 11:59 pm Central Daylight Time (CDT) on October 25, 2025.

Confidentiality

All letters of support and the names of supporting members will remain confidential. Only the Executive Director will have access to this information. 

If No Petitions Are Received

Voting members will be asked to ratify the slate as presented by the Nominations Committee through an electronic ballot.

Who Can Apply or Run for A Board Position?

For ABM Board elections, only voting members are eligible to apply or run for a Board position. This means:

• Only Physician Members in good standing (current active paid membership) may be nominated, apply, or petition to serve on the Board of Directors, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for the position they wish to seek.
• Doctors-in-Training Members may vote and serve on committees, but are not eligible to hold office or serve on the Board of Directors.
• Affiliate and Honorary Members are not eligible to vote, run for office, or serve on the Board of Directors.