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Board of Trustees

 

Committees

To remain fully engaged with strategic initiatives and other aspects of university governance, the George Washington Board of Trustees has established a series of operating and strategic committees whose members dedicate their time and expertise to specific focuses. These committees, which are guided by individual mission statements and charges, are convened on the occasions of full board meetings and throughout the year as necessary.
 

Standing Committees

Executive Committee

Mission Statement

The Executive Committee is empowered to act on behalf of the Board of Trustees between meetings except for the limitations set out in the bylaws. This includes:

  • serving as a resource for the Board chair and president;
  • approving namings in alignment with the Naming Policy as approved by the Board of Trustees; and
  • undertaking other tasks as needed and appropriate.

The committee, excluding the president, shall convene periodically as the Compensation Committee. This includes:

  • establishing compensation practices and maintaining written guidelines with respect to senior executives of the university, including the president;
  • reviewing and approving the compensation and employment terms of senior executives of the university, including the president;
  • regularly assessing presidential performance and working with the president to set the Board’s performance expectations for presidential performance; and
  • addressing conflicts of interest and commitment for those individuals whose compensation it reviews.

The Compensation Committee members shall not have a conflict of interest with respect to the compensation arrangement they participate in approving and shall be independent based on the IRS Form 990 Independence test.  Additionally, committee members shall be free of conflicts that would require such frequent recusals that the member's ability to perform as an independent committee member would be impaired. 

Term effective June 1, 2026.

Members

  • Mark Chichester, Chair
  • Todd Klein, Vice Chair
  • Jeffrey Flaks, Secretary
  • Aaron Bates
  • Charles Bendit
  • Ellen Granberg, President (ex officio)
  • Donna Hill Staton
  • Jennifer Park Stout
  • Jonathan Perlin
  • Judy Rogers
  • Michelle Rubin
     
Committee on Academic Affairs

Mission Statement

The Committee on Academic Affairs is responsible for oversight of the university’s academic mission and for fostering excellence in research, scholarship and education, alongside engagement with external partners directly connected to research collaborations and experiential learning. Key areas of focus include evolving academic strategy, high-level assessments of planning, resource allocation and the university’s portfolio of programs, academic personnel policies and actions, high-level policies related to the research enterprise, enrollment and teaching, and academic infrastructure. The committee seeks to:

  • maintain clear standards of academic excellence;
  • support GW’s schools, institutes, and centers;
  • establish strategic and aggressive but realistic goals to further academic excellence, and assess the progress toward those goals;
  • ensure that the university deploys institutional resources toward achieving evolving academic priorities;
  • monitor overall academic performance and report progress to the Board of Trustees;
  • track the mechanisms by which the university supports professional development, sets expectations for faculty, and evaluates faculty performance;
  • reinforce a risk-aware culture and promote an increased understanding of GW's enterprise risk position by remaining abreast of changes or trends in risk profiles, and progress in risk response and mitigation actions;
  • guide the establishment of new academic programs and schools;
  • ensure that enrollment strategies remain consistent with the university’s goals of academic excellence and accessibility, as well as meet its financial responsibilities; and
  • collaborate with the provost to continually evaluate existing programs and schools to assess their efficacy and compliance with applicable external accreditation standards.

Approved by the Committee on Academic Affairs on October 5, 2026 and by the Board of Trustees on October 16, 2026.

Term effective June 1, 2026.

Members

  • Judy Rogers, Chair
  • Jonathan Perlin, Vice Chair
  • Luise Borges
  • Adam Conner
  • Donna Hill Staton
  • Regina James
  • Richard Jones
  • Stacie Lissette
  • Jennifer Park Stout
  • Camila Tapias
Committee on Audit, Risk, and Compliance

Mission Statement

The Committee on Audit, Risk, and Compliance is responsible for oversight of the university’s system of internal controls, sound business practices and ethical conduct, with the goal of protecting and mitigating risk to the university. This includes:

Audit

  • Approving the selection, independence, and performance of the firm of Certified Public Accountants that performs the annual external audit of the university;
  • Reviewing the selection, independence, performance, and audit plans of the internal audit function;
  • Overseeing external and internal audits, including reviewing summaries of key items in planned audits and ad hoc audits, and receiving and reviewing material deficiencies or high-risk observations and management responses;
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the university's internal controls, accounting policies, and systems over financial reporting to ensure the integrity and completeness of the audited GAAP financial statements and related disclosures.

Risk

  • Reviewing the university’s enterprise risk management program;
  • Overseeing financial, operational, strategic risks and top enterprise risk assessments, including evaluation of risk trends and mitigation actions;
  • Reviewing risk exposure of disputes, claims, and litigation with counsel;

Compliance

  • Overseeing the conflicts of interest policies;
  • Overseeing the university’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and risks;
  • Fostering free and open communication between and among the committee, internal and external auditors and compliance officers, and management of the university;
  • Reviewing the IRS Form 990 and related disclosures;
  • Reviewing and approving the University’s Code of Ethical Conduct; and
  • Providing oversight and guidance related to the policy process and approving institutional policies, as appropriate.

The committee members shall be independent based on the IRS Form 990 Independence test. Additionally, committee members shall be free of conflicts that would require such frequent recusals that the member's ability to perform as an independent committee member would be impaired.

Revised and approved by the Committee on Audit, Risk, and Compliance on October 12, 2026 and approved by the Board of Trustees on October 16, 2026.

Term effective June 1, 2026.

Members

  • Charles Bendit, Chair
  • Kevin Brown, Vice Chair
  • Aaron Bates
  • Regina James
  • Richard Jones
  • Jonathan Perlin
     
Committee on Finance and Investments

Mission Statement

The Committee on Finance and Investments is responsible for general oversight of the financial and business affairs of the university, as well as the operations and investments of the university. This includes:

  • Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board regarding major financial and business matters, including the operating and capital budgets of the university;
  • Discussing, reviewing, and assessing the annual audited financial statements;
  • Focusing institutional resources toward achieving the objectives set out in the university’s strategic framework;
  • Exercising oversight and governance over the university’s endowment with the goal of enhancing returns and purchasing power from investments while preserving resources for future generations;
  • Reviewing and evaluating business plans/cases, including lookback analyses; and
  • Overseeing the university’s infrastructure and maintenance of its physical and technological assets.

The committee should include financial experts and other members experienced in financial and business matters, to the extent possible.

Approved by the Committee on Finance and Investments on September 25, 2026 and approved by the Board of Trustees on October 16, 2026.

Term effective June 1, 2026.

Members

  • Todd Klein, Chair
  • Aaron Bates
  • Charles Bendit
  • Faith Blethen
  • Ray Brimble
  • Kevin Brown
  • Jeffrey Flaks
  • Michelle Rubin
  • Ted Segal
Committee on Governance and Nominations

Mission Statement

The Committee on Governance and Nominations is responsible for contributing to and furthering the Board’s ability to govern the affairs of the university, through a process that recognizes the importance of transparent and direct communication with the university’s officers and administration.

In the area of governance, this includes:

  • reviewing and making recommendations on matters of Board governance;
  • reviewing the university governing documents, including bylaws of the university and university mission statement periodically, and considering revisions as appropriate;
  • establishing and reviewing procedures for trustee training, including educating trustees about the university and their responsibilities as trustees;
  • assisting the Chair of the Board in developing trustee stewardship;
  • evaluating trustee performance;
  • addressing trustee conflicts of interest, including periodic evaluation of the Trustee Conflicts of Interest Policy;
  • evaluating Board effectiveness;
  • making recommendations regarding the conduct of Board meetings;
  • planning a succession process for presidential transition; and
  • planning a succession process for the Board Chair and other Board officers.

In the area of nominations, this includes:

  • reviewing and nominating trustee candidates for consideration by the Board, guided by the Criteria for Selection of Members of the Board of Trustees of the George Washington University;
  • reviewing and nominating Board officers;
  • making sure that the university has the minimum number of trustees required by the bylaws; and
  • recommending candidates for university officer positions for consideration by the Board.

Last approved by the Committee on Governance and Nominations on September 30, 2026 and by the Board of Trustees on October 16, 2026.

Criteria for Selection of Members of the Board of Trustees
of the George Washington University
 

The Board of Trustees of the George Washington University seeks as trustees individuals of the highest integrity who demonstrate a strong commitment to devote their knowledge, time, and financial resources to the benefit of the university.  In identifying and selecting persons to be nominated or renominated to the Board to serve as trustees, the Board’s Committee on Governance and Nominations will consider the following criteria:

  • experience to participate fully in the deliberations of the Board that will promote policies and procedures that safeguard and enhance the long-term welfare and mission of the university, including its people and physical and financial assets;
  • commitment to prepare and attend Board meetings and  committee meetings, regularly and engage responsibly in the meetings;
  • ability to select the president and support and evaluate university leadership;
  • experience to review and approve the operating and capital budget of the university using a process that reflects strategic and academic priorities;
  • ability to keep informed about the university and the issues affecting higher education, and determine the major goals of the university and approve the policies and procedures for implementation of such goals;
  • commitment to assist in the recruitment of new trustees;
  • reputation in the community as a person of intelligence, integrity, skill, experience, and good judgment; and
  • commitment to make the university one of your most significant philanthropic priorities.

In addition, the committee will assess the impact of:

  • any conflicts of interest (or potential conflicts of interest); and
  • in connection with renominations, the nominee’s past effectiveness and participation as a member of the Board.

Term effective June 1, 2026.

Members

  • Jeffrey Flaks, Chair
  • Richard Jones, Vice Chair
  • Faith Blethen
  • Adam Conner
  • Stacie Lissette
  • Judy Rogers
     

Strategic Committees

Committee on Student Affairs

Mission Statement

The Committee on Student Affairs is responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of student services and programs that support the mission of the University and for overseeing policies, procedures, and programming that impact the quality of student life on campus. In alignment with the University’s Strategic Framework, the Committee’s work focuses on ensuring that students are supported in a fully inclusive environment that promotes persistence, success, holistic well-being, and that provides transformational educational and co-curricular experiences.

The Committee on Student Affairs approved on October 1, 2026 and the Board of Trustees approved on October 16, 2026.

Term effective June 1, 2026.

Members

  • Donna Hill Staton, Chair
  • Camila Tapias, Vice Chair
  • Luisa Borges
  • Faith Blethen
  • Ray Brimble
  • Regina James
  • Todd Klein
  • Michelle Rubin
     
Committee on Advancement

Mission Statement

The Committee on Advancement is responsible for the oversight of key university activities to engage with and secure philanthropic support from individual and organizational partners. This includes:

  • aligning GW philanthropic and engagement priorities with the goals of the strategic framework;
  • creating an enduring culture of philanthropy which builds pride, connection, and shared purpose to unite GW’s global community of alumni, donors, students, faculty, staff, and friends;
  • supporting the goals of the university’s Advancement enterprise, including comprehensive campaigns, special fundraising initiatives, and advising on policies and procedures affecting philanthropic and engagement activities;
  • monitoring overall fundraising and engagement performance and reporting progress to the Board of Trustees; and
  • promoting and encouraging trustee engagement and philanthropic leadership.

Approved by the Committee on Advancement on October 1, 2026, and by the Board of Trustees on October 16, 2026.

Term effective June 1, 2026.

Members

  • Aaron Bates, Chair
  • Stacie Lissette, Vice Chair
  • Luisa Borges
  • Ali Kolaghassi
  • Judy Rogers
  • Camila Tapias
Committee on Real Estate, Campus Planning, and Facilities

Mission Statement

The Committee on Real Estate, Campus Planning, and Facilities is responsible for the oversight of the university’s buildings and facilities, real estate holdings, and campus plan. This includes:

  • making recommendations regarding strategic elements of the university’s policies related to real estate;
  • making recommendations to the Committee on Finance and Investments and/or Executive Committee regarding the university’s proposed purchases and sales of real estate and approach to investment in deferred maintenance;
  • providing strategic advice on campus plans for Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon; and
  • serving as a resource to the Committee on Finance and Investments, and the administration on strategic matters related to real estate.

Approved by the Committee on Real Estate, Campus Planning, and Facilities on September 28, 2026 and by the Board of Trustees on October 16, 2026.

Term effective June 1, 2026.

Members

  • Michelle Rubin, Chair
  • Ted Segal, Vice Chair
  • Charles Bendit
  • Adam Conner
  • Ali Kolaghassi
  • Ray Brimble