Leadership Elections
Take an active role in selecting the next leaders for MDS.
Next election: 2027
Elected Leadership Bodies
Central Leadership
Oversees the activities and management of the Society. This includes the Officers and 10 International Executive Committee (IEC) members.
Regional Section Leadership
Each of the 4 global Regional Sections are represented by their own regional Officers and Executive Committee.
Nomination and Election
Elected leadership roles open on a rotating basis per position, with an election cycle to fill open seats every 2 years.
To provide the MDS Membership an opportunity to be involved in the Society’s nomination process, the MDS Nominating Committee invites Members to submit candidate names for consideration.
The Nominating Committee reviews all proposed candidate names and prepares the slate of nominees for MDS member approval. The Nominating Committee evaluates candidates based upon pre-defined criteria. The committee’s goal is to prepare a diverse slate that is poised to work well as a team and bring forward their individual expertise to advance MDS and provide the best experience for our membership.
2026-2027 Election Timeline:
- Candidate Profile Submissions for Central MDS Positions: July 2026 - September 2026
- Candidate Profile Submissions for Regional Section Positions: August 2026 - October 2026
- Nomination Committee Deliberations and Final Candidate Interviews: October 2026 - March 2027
- Slate of Nominees given to Officers and IEC for Ratification: March/April 2027
- Slate of Nominees shared with Membership: May 15, 2027
- Proxy ballots due: September 15, 2027
- Final voting during the MDS International Congress in Amsterdam: September 27, 2027
- New Officers and IEC Members begin term: September 30, 2027
Nominating CommitteeThe MDS President appoints the Nominating Committee every two years by taking into account the international scope of the Society and ensuring there is broad representation on the Committee. Nominating Committee
Regional Nominating CommitteesMDS-AS Nominating CommitteeTBAMDS-AOS Nominating CommitteeTBAMDS-ES Nominating CommitteeTBAMDS-PAS Nominating CommitteeTBA |
Central Leadership Qualifications
It is the responsibility of every member of the IEC to fully and actively participate in the governance and policy-making activities of the Society. The expectations include regular attendance at meetings and timely responses to polls and governance-related requests. All IEC and Officers must be current MDS Members.
Current Leadership:
Officers | International Executive Committee
Positions and Criteria
The office of President is a six-year commitment:
- 2027-2029 President-Elect
- 2029-2031 President
- 2031-2033 Past President
Evaluation Criteria
Time Commitment
- Weekly calls and email correspondence
- Monthly Officer and quarterly International Executive Committee virtual meetings
- Approximately 5-6 weeks of International Travel per year (Biannual Officer Meeting, International Congress, Regional Action Planning Meetings, Regional Congresses, Strategic Planning Meeting and other Strategic meetings as identified)
Technical Skills
- Long experience within MDS, knowledge of the Society
- Served as an Officer, as an International Executive Committee Member, or in other key Society committees and roles
Group Skills
- Ability to work in teams
- Prioritize Society/group goals over individual goals
Interpersonal Skills
- Outstanding scientific and/or clinical reputation
- Ability to create and maintain relationships within and outside MDS
- Build a climate of trust among Officers and IEC
- Global mindset and ability to communicate effectively across cultures
Personal Skills
- Strategic thinking: Ability to analyze events, perceive trends, anticipate changes, and recognize opportunities and threats
- Willingness to innovate and be proactive
Personal Attributes
- Affinity to MDS and its mission
- Honesty and integrity
- Time and capacity to commit to the organization
- Ability to represent the Society
The offices of Secretary and Treasurer are four-year commitments:
- 2027-2029 Secretary/Treasurer-Elect
- 2029-2031 Secretary/Treasurer
Evaluation Criteria
Time Commitment
- Monthly calls and email correspondence
- Approximately 1-2 weeks of International Travel per year (Biannual Officer Meeting, International Congress, and Strategic Planning Meeting)
Technical Skills
- Long experience within MDS, knowledge of the Society
- Served as a member of the International Executive Committee, on MDS Committees as Chairs, and/or have been involved within their Regional Sections
Group Skills
- Harmonization with the existing Officers
- Ability to work in teams
- Prioritize Society/group goals over individual goals
Interpersonal Skills
- Outstanding scientific and/or clinical reputation
- Ability to create and maintain relationships within and without MDS
- Participate in a climate of trust among Officers and IEC
- Global mindset and ability to communicate effectively across cultures
Personal Skills
- Strategic thinking: Ability to analyze events, perceive trends, anticipate changes, and recognize opportunities and threats
- Willingness to innovate and be proactive
Personal Attributes
- Affinity to MDS and its mission
- Honesty and integrity
- Time and capacity to commit to the organization
- Ability to represent the Society
International Executive Committee (IEC) positions are four-year commitments of two, two-year terms (2027-2031).
Evaluation Criteria
Time Commitment
- Quarterly calls and email correspondence
- Approximately 1 week of International Travel per year (International Congress)
Technical Skills
- Experience within MDS.
- Served on MDS Committees and/or have been involved within their Regional Sections
Group Skills
- Prioritize Society/group goals over individual goals
Interpersonal Skills
- Outstanding scientific and/or clinical reputation
- Ability to create and maintain relationships within and without MDS
- Participate in a climate of trust among IEC
Personal Skills
- Strategic thinking: Ability to analyze events, perceive trends, anticipate changes, and recognize opportunities and threats
Personal Attributes
- Affinity to MDS and its mission
- Honesty and integrity
Regional Section Leadership Qualifications
Positions and Criteria
6-year commitment: Chair-elect, Chair, and Past Chair.
The Regional Chairs have typically served as both a Regional Section Executive Committee Member and as a Regional Section Officer (Treasurer and/or Secretary). Function as the primary representative of the Section and provide general oversight, perspective and updates on the Section's education, collaborations, and other activities as associated to the regional strategic action plan, policies and practices of the Society. Work in collaboration with other Society groups on mutual strategic goals. In addition, the Regional Section Chair has the following qualities:
● Long experience within MDS
● Ability to work in teams
● Scientific and/or clinical reputation
● Organized working style, responsive to requests
● Ability to represent the Society and Region
● Representation of different disciplines (Neurology, Neurosurgery, Basic Sciences, etc.)
4-year commitment as Secretary-elect, Secretary or Treasurer-elect, Treasurer.
The Officers have typically served as a member of the Regional Section Executive Committee and have been involved within their Regional Sections. In addition, Regional Section Officers should have the following qualities:
● Long experience within MDS
● Ability to work in teams
● Scientific and/or clinical reputation
● Organized working style, responsive to requests
● Ability to represent the Society and Region
● Representation of different disciplines (Neurology, Neurosurgery, Basic Sciences, etc.)
4-year commitment, two 2-year terms.
The Executive Committee Members have typically been involved within their Regional Sections. In addition, Executive Committee Members should have the following qualities:
● Ability to work in teams
● Scientific and/or clinical reputation
● Organized working style, responsive to requests
● Ability to represent the Society and Region
● Representation of different disciplines (Neurology, Neurosurgery, Basic Sciences, etc.)
Current Section Leadership: African Section | Asian & Oceanian | European Section | Pan American Section