SACNAS Board Announces Executive Director Transition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SACNAS Board Announces Executive Director Leadership Transition

Juan Amador, FASAE, CAE, to conclude four-year tenure on October 30, 2026.

The SACNAS Board of Directors announced today that Juan Amador, FASAE, CAE, will conclude his tenure as Executive Director on October 30, 2026, after four years of service. The Board and Amador have been coordinating a leadership transition and continuity for SACNAS members, chapters, partners, and staff.

This transition reflects months of thoughtful planning between the Board of Directors and Amador. “We are grateful for his leadership and lasting contributions to our members, our familia, as we coordinate a new strategic plan and growth opportunities for the organization. His personal devotion to his roots and identity was reflected in his choices to prioritize resilience, stability, and joy in every priority for our organization to serve our communities,” shared Board President Healani K. Chang, DrPH.

“SACNAS helped me reconnect with my own story and reaffirm my own commitment to learners and professionals in underrepresented communities. I am proud of and grateful for everything we have built during a time of unprecedented change in academia and for the role associations like SACNAS play in supporting students and professionals who bring their whole self to their work and research in STEM. I am committed to continuing that hard work and will always be a supporter of the SACNAS mission,” said Amador.

Juan Amador served as the Executive Director for SACNAS from October 18, 2022, to October 30, 2026. During his tenure, he played a key role in strengthening board governance, organization infrastructure, and advancing financial, operational, and strategic foundation that allows SACNAS to support a global community of learners and professionals in STEM.

Amador established SACNAS's first endowment, creating a lasting source of support for future generations of members and advancing the organization's ability to fulfill its mission over time. Amador helped modernize the organization’s approach to fiscal management and compliance practices by implementing stronger oversight, accountability measures, and operational controls. His leadership and experience as an association professional also elevated SACNAS's visibility and reputation across the broader STEM community.

The Board of Directors has named Dr. Sonia Zárate as Interim Executive Director of SACNAS. A longtime SACNAS member and former National President and Board Chair, Dr. Zárate brings more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, STEM education, and organizational strategy. The Board remains committed to advancing SACNAS’s mission and will communicate additional updates as the leadership transition progresses.

Image credit: Matt Sprague/HHMI.

About SACNAS   

For over 53 years, SACNAS has been committed to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanic and Native American individuals in STEM—from students to professionals—by supporting their pursuit of advanced degrees, meaningful careers, and leadership positions. SACNAS welcomes everyone to join as members and participate in its programs. Today, SACNAS supports a vibrant and expanding community of approximately 5,300 members and more than 150 student and professional chapters across the United States, including Puerto Rico and Guam. The organization strengthens the STEM workforce through outreach, leadership development, and career advancement opportunities—highlighted by its flagship event, the SACNAS Annual Conference. Discover more about SACNAS and how to get involved at sacnas.org or connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and X.

Learn more about SACNAS at sacnas.org, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube.