IFES Welcomes New Directors

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is pleased to announce that Ginny Badanes and Nelson Cunningham joined IFES’s Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2026. 

“As the global landscape shifts rapidly and new challenges reshape governance worldwide, IFES’s work to support credible elections and democratic institutions has never been more vital,” said M. Peter McPherson, IFES Board Chair. “Ensuring that the voices of the governed are heard through trusted electoral processes is essential to stability and legitimacy in a constantly evolving global environment. Nelson and Ginny bring deep leadership experience across governance, public service, and technology, and I look forward to working with them to advance IFES’s mission of building resilient democracies.”

Badanes and Cunningham were elected unanimously to the IFES Board of Directors at its December 2025 meeting. Cunningham previously served on the IFES Board of Directors in 2023-2024 before departing to go into public service.

“At a moment of mounting strain on democratic institutions and rapidly intensifying geopolitical complexity, IFES plays a critical role in supporting credible elections and accountable governance,” Cunningham said. “I am honored to rejoin the Board and work alongside the IFES team to reinforce and advance its efforts to support societies in building resilient democratic institutions worldwide.”

“With the pace of technological change rapidly transforming how elections are conducted and how citizens engage civically, IFES’s leadership at the intersection of democracy and digital innovation is more critical than ever,” Badanes said. “I am pleased to join the Board and support IFES’s work to address the democratic implications of technology, data, and AI, and to promote partnership with the private sector to help ensure they are used responsibly in the service of elections and democratic participation.”

IFES also extends its enduring gratitude to retiring Board Directors William Eacho, June DeHart, Kenneth Cutshaw, Fred Humphries, Frank Donatelli, and Dr. Attahiru Muhammadu Jega. William Eacho served as Board Chair 2000-2024.

“We are deeply grateful for the exceptional service of these retiring Directors, whose leadership, integrity, and substantive contributions have strengthened IFES at every level,” said Board Co-Chair Theodore Sedgwick. “Through their stewardship and dedication, they held a vital role in advancing our mission of building resilient democracies that deliver for all, and we thank them for their lasting legacy.”

At its December 2025 meeting, the Board unanimously voted for McPherson to continue as Board Chair. The Board elected Theodore Sedgwick to serve as Board Co-Chair, succeeding retiring director William Eacho. Garvin Brown and Sarah Tinsley were elected to serve as Vice Chairs. Judith Kelley and Randal Teague, Sr., were elected to serve as Treasurer and Board Secretary, respectively. Board officer terms started on January 1, 2026.

About Ginny Badanes

Ginny is the General Manager of Tech for Society at Microsoft, where she leads a global team working to build trust between technology and the institutions that uphold democracy and civil society. From protecting elections and empowering journalists to advancing human rights, Ginny’s work centers on supporting communities that are often targeted and too often underserved by tech. Read Ginny's full biography here.

About Nelson Cunningham

Nelson W. Cunningham co-founded McLarty Associates in 1998 and led the firm for almost 25 years. Under his leadership, McLarty Associates developed into a firm with a global reach and over 100 employees and advisors in 21 countries. Read Nelson's full biography here.