The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Elizabeth Bagley, a former long-time NDI board member, left the board to return to the State Department as special representative for global partnerships. Ms. Bagley served in the Clinton administration as ambassador to Portugal and as congressional liaison officer for the Panama Canal Treaties in the Carter administration.

Bernard W. Aronson is the founding partner of ACON Investments LLC, a private equity group that invests in both the United States and Latin America. Mr. Aronson served as assistant secretary of state for inter-American affairs from 1989 to 1993 — the longest serving individual since the position was created. Following his service, Mr. Aronson received the State Department’s Distinguished Service Award, its highest honor, for his work in ending the conflicts in Central America.

Kenneth Melley has been active in NDI activities since 1985 and led a pre-election mission to Pakistan in 1991. He has also served on election-related missions to the Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea, Nepal, Paraguay and Nigeria. Mr. Melley retired from the National Education Association in 1997 after a career in education (including teaching) that spanned 40 years. At the National Education Association, Mr. Melley spearheaded efforts to organize teachers for collective bargaining in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Rachelle Horowitz was the political director of the American Federation of Teachers from 1974 until 1995, when she retired from that post and became a consultant for the union. During that period, she served on the executive committee of the Democratic National Committee and as co-chairperson of its Rules Committee. She was a member of the platform drafting committees in 1998 and 1992.