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 – Linda Schindler
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.
Linda joined AWA in 2014. This is her first term as AWA President and she has previously served on the board in several roles including External Affairs Director & Communications Director.
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 second term as Vice President.
Secretary – Jane Kim
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.
Jane joined AWA in 2020. This will be her first term as AWA Secretary, she also volunteers with the AWA Magazine.
Treasurer – Katherine McCall
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.
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 first term as AWA Treasurer.
External Affairs Director – Typhaine de Bure
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.
Typhaine joined AWA in 2011. She has previously served as AWA Treasurer and Vice President. This will be her first year as External Affairs Director.
Communications Director – Meg Sine
The Communications Director is responsible for AWA communications, including the AWA Magazine, website, upcoming events and social media. She works closely with the chairs of these committees and ensures they follow all appropriate rules and regulations.
Meg joined AWA in 2018. She has volunteered in a variety of areas, and currently chairs the Creative Hands group. This is her first full 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 has previously served in multiple board roles including AWA President. This will be her second term as Volunteer Director.
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 – Angela Chen
The Social Chair represents all of the social committees on the AWA board.
Angela joined the AWA in 2020. She is a very active community service volunteer amongst other activites, and this is her first term as Social Chair.
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 second 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 several AWA event committees. This will be her second term as Sports Chair.
Major Events Chair – Anita Young
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.
Anita Joined AWA in 2020 and has been an active member in a variety of areas. This will be her first term as major events chair.
Corporate Relations Manager - Kristin Bemowski
The Corporate Relations Manager maintains an overview of the AWA's business partnerships and coordinates our annual contracts and agreements.
Kristin joined the AWA in 2017. This is her first term as CRM, and she has previously served as AWA Social Chair.
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 second 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.
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.