AWA Board Members 2020/21
Executive Board
Executive board positions are open to any AWA regular (as opposed to associate) member and are elected by the general membership. They are responsible for ensuring that the AWA complies with its constitution and that all Singapore Government regulations are fulfilled. To find out more about applying for a board position, please click here or click here to indicate your interest in applying for a position.
President – Debra Minnock
The President’s role is to direct the general affairs of the AWA, setting goals and a specific tone for her term of office. She represents the AWA to the wider Singaporean and International community and ensures the AWA board complies with all appropriate rules and regulations.
Debra has been in Singapore for over six years and has been an active member of the AWA Singapore since 2015. She has charted the Sports and High Tea groups. This will be her first term as President.
Vice President – Kristen Mooney
The Vice President is in charge of Membership. She has overall responsibility for our membership numbers and marketing efforts, working with our drop-in coffee and drinks volunteers, our long-term members' group and our marketing volunteers.
Kristen joined AWA in 2019. She had previously as a co-chair for the AWA Newcomers. This will be her first term as Vice President.
Secretary – Katherine McCall
The Secretary is responsible for accurate record keeping within the AWA, all board meetings and the accompanying agendas and minutes. She also oversees the Policy and Nominating committees, supporting them and ensuring they follow all appropriate rules and regulations.
Katherine joined as an AWA member in 2018. She has volunteered in a variety of groups, including Communications and Local Tours. This will be her second term as AWA Secretary.
Treasurer – Ali Donaldson
The Treasurer is the financial conscience of the AWA and provides factual, unbiased financial information to facilitate informed decision-making by the board. She is responsible for all financial income and expenses, and works closely with her assistant treasurers and the General Manager to manage this.
Ali joined the AWA in 2018 and has volunteered regularly with our Community Service group. This will be her second term as AWA Treasurer.
External Affairs Director – Linda Schindler
The External Affairs Director has overall responsibility for our interaction with the wider community through our community service and our relationships with corporate partners. She works closely with and supports the Community Service Chair and Corporate Relationship Manager. She also supports the President in making connections with the wider community in Singapore.
Linda joined AWA in 2014. This is her first term as External Affairs Director. Previously, she served as Communications Director for two years and Special Interest Chair for two years.
Communications Director – Lorraine Graybill
The Communications Director is responsible for AWA communications, including the Bamboo Telegraph, website, upcoming events and social media. She works closely with the chairs of these committees and ensures they follow all appropriate rules and regulations.
Lorraine joined AWA in 2016. She has been an active member during her time here, previously chairing Local Tours. This will be her second term as Communications Director.
Volunteer Director – Mel Rice
The Volunteer Director spearheads volunteer recruitment and appreciation. She actively works with the communications team to disseminate accurate information about open volunteer positions through the website, social media, and email. She serves as co-chair of the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and supports the Sports, Social, Special Interest and Major Events Chairs.
Mel joined the AWA in 2008. She just finished two terms as President. She has previously volunteered as Vice-President, Sports Chair and chair of the AWA Fashion Show.
Non-Executive Board Members
These positions are appointed annually by board vote and are open to any AWA regular (as opposed to associate) member.
Social Chair – Kristin Bemowski
The Social Chair represents all of the social committees on the AWA board.
Kristin joined the AWA in 2017. This is her second term as Social Chair. She previously chaired the Bar Night committee.
Special Interest Chair – Aarti Sonawata
The Special Interest Chair represents all of the special interest committees on the AWA board.
Aarti joined the AWA in 2013. She has chaired the Speakers' Lunch program and the Holiday Luncheon. This will be her first term as Special Interest Chair.
Sports Chair – Jaclyn Muncy
The Sports Chair represents all of the sports committees on the AWA board.
Jaclyn joined the AWA in 2018. She has since volunteered on AWA event committees. This will be her first terms Sports Chair.
Major Events Chair – Venta Norvilas
The Major Events Chair represents the major event committees on the AWA board: Home Tour, Thanksgiving Picnic, Holiday Luncheon, Holiday Lights Bus Tour, Spring Event, Fashion Show, and any other ad hoc major events.
Venta joined the AWA in 2013. She has chaired the Bar Night committee, served on the board as Social Chair and this will be her second term as Major Events chair.
Corporate Relations Manager - Emily Ludwick
The Corporate Relations Manager maintains an overview of the AWA's business partnerships and coordinates our annual contracts and agreements.
Emily joined AWA in 2016, and has been an active volunteer on several committees. This will be her second term as Corporate Relations Manager.
Community Service Chair- Ashley Fagan
The Community Service Manager works with her committee to provide AWA members with information about, and an opportunity to volunteer with, non-profit organizations in Singapore.
Ashley joined the AWA in 2018. She has been the co-chair of AWA Playgroups since 2019. This will be her first term as the AWA community service chair.
Ex-Officio Board Members
Ex-officio board members are non-voting board members who provide unbiased advice and information to voting board members.
Historian - Caitlin Fry
The Historian provides the board with background and information regarding AWA board decisions and AWA activities from previous years. Ideally, this position is offered to a member of long standing who has served on the AWA board in a variety of roles over a period of several years.
Caitlin Fry served on the AWA board throughout the 2000's and was AWA President in 2009 and 2010. She recently returned to Singapore and began volunteering for AWA again, chairing the 2019 Home Tour and No Exit Strategy group.
General Manager – Sarah Cockerill
The general manager is the only AWA paid staff position. She is responsible for maintaining, supervising, and coordinating AWA business, and for advising and supporting board members in carrying out their duties.
Sarah joined the AWA in 2005, became the office manager in 2006, and then general manager in 2008. After a three-year interval in Japan, Sarah returned to the AWA in 2012 to take up the position of general manager again.