HI USA 2023 Board Elections

Do you have governance experience, commitment to leadership development, and a passion for our mission?

HI USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to advancing intercultural understanding through hostel stays and educational programming. HI USA’s style of hostelling is focused on sustainable, inclusive, and culturally enriching experiences, encouraging travelers to feed their curiosity about the world. Although serving people of all ages, its target audience is 18-30-year-old, free and independent travelers. With over 300 employees and 14 owned and managed hostels throughout the US, HI USA is one of more than 60 member countries of Hostelling International, the international federation of hostelling organizations with over 3 million members and nearly 3,000 hostels worldwide.

Over the last three years the HI USA Board has provided thoughtful and strategic leadership in addressing the financial and organizational challenges originating from the global pandemic and heightened awareness of social justice. Making difficult decisions, the organization has navigated the financial crisis with reasonable success. It is now about one-half of its pre-pandemic size yet remains mighty in its aspirations. It is still the US’s largest hostel network with deeply committed staff and volunteers. The Board is now taking the opportunity to focus on how a reorganized and refocused HI USA can most effectively achieve its mission.

This is an exciting time to join the Board as it envisions and creates HI USA for the future. Critical to success is a Board of Directors representing diverse perspectives and leadership styles, drawing on a variety of backgrounds, and committed to the power of travel in influencing inclusive and culturally aware worldviews.

The application period for the Class of 2027 Board of Directors is open through October 27, 2023. Interested applicants are invited to apply online. The Board Development Committee will confirm their recommendations and notify candidates by December 20, 2023. Elected Directors will be seated and begin their terms in March 2024.

Want to learn more? We’ll be hosting a virtual information session for interested candidates on October 19. Join HI USA’s Board Development Chair, Eric Oetjen and CEO, Russ Hedge to learn more about HI USA and service on the National Board. Register for the event here.