NRWA Board of Directors - 2026 Election
Cast Your Vote for the 2027 NRWA Board of Directors!
It’s time to make your voice heard! Elections for the 2027 NRWA Board of Directors are now open. This year, there are two spots available:
President-Elect – 1 candidate running: Dr. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish, NCOPE
Treasurer – 1 candidate running: Rob Rosales, NCRW, NCOPE (incumbent)
Voting is open to all current NRWA members. The deadline to submit your vote is Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., ET.
Candidate: Dr. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish, NCOPE Position Sought: President-Elect What interests you about the role? I’ve always been interested in leadership positions and making a difference. After serving in several capacities within the board of directors, including Membership Chair, I am excited about the opportunity to play an even bigger role in the organization. Most importantly, I have had the pleasure of getting to know other NRWA members throughout the years and know the dedication and service they provide to their respective target audiences. Because of their passion, I am excited about ensuring current and future members know what the NRWA offers and can bring to their profession. How will you support The NRWA organization and its members? I have already been serving the organization and its members for several years by working with previous Directors of Member Support, serving as the Membership Chair, and aligning myself with membership engagement activities. By providing get-togethers, activities, webinars, and other ways for members to connect, I’ve been able to help members build relationships with each other. As we move forward in this fast-paced and uniquely changing environment, I am committed to supporting members where they need assistance and truly want to ensure our strategic plan is in alignment with their needs.What actions will you take as a board member to support diversity, equity, and inclusion? We have already had conversations about ensuring our educational opportunities and information offerings are not just targeted toward C-suite executives, but can be targeted towards those that are differently-abled, coming out of difficult circumstances, or trying to better their lives after a setback. My goal would be to ensure that we have DEI opportunities for members, can offer programming targeted towards a diverse audience, and create a space where all types of career professionals and clients are welcome.What else would I want members to know about me? After serving in several leadership roles, my desire is to continue to make an even bigger impact with the NRWA through the President-Elect position. You will not find anyone more driven, organized, and goal-oriented than me. Rather than seeing those qualities as “bossy” or “stubborn,” - as my husband continually reminds me - I prefer to see them as leadership skills that get things done. We tell our clients to focus on what they have and bring that to the forefront; that is exactly what we need to do for the NRWA and I am ready for it. In addition to my NCOPE certification, I have a BBA in Management, an MBA, and a PhD in Organization and Management with an emphasis in Leadership. On a personal note, I have been married to Todd for almost 24 years, have two children, one grandbaby on the way, and also teach Business Communication coursework at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. | Candidate: Rob Rosales, NCRW, NCOPE Position Sought: Treasurer What interests you about the role? There is no question that we live in evolutionary times. As the industry and world around us continue to change at an increasingly rapid pace, we at the NRWA are challenged to understand and meet the needs of our members while building a sustainable future. I enjoy organizational challenges like this and am eager to give back to the organization and community that has helped me. I want to help ensure that the NRWA continues to be there for our members and offers valuable programs, services, and support. How will you support The NRWA organization and its members? Having led a $20M nonprofit operation with 17 locations and 400 staff, I bring a unique business leadership and financial management perspective to the NRWA. My role included annual budget development across 20 cost centers and full P&L responsibility. Additionally, I held a series 6, 63, and 26 licenses from FINRA and oversaw a small team providing financial and investment services. I will leverage my knowledge, experience, and fiduciary perspective to support and advocate for the NRWA, its mission, our members, and colleagues. I believe in the value of technology and long-term strategic planning for organizational growth, performance, culture, and engagement. All businesses need revenue to pay for services and programs, the NRWA is no different.
What actions will you take as a board member to support diversity, equity, and inclusion? I believe there's a place for everyone in NRWA. As a board member, I'll work to make sure our programs, leadership opportunities, and events are open and welcoming to all members. When each of us holds ourselves to high ethical and professional standards, treating others with respect and dignity, the NRWA will reflect that. In a world full of division, I want NRWA to be known as the gold standard for our industry in professionalism, ethics, inclusivity, and standards of excellence. What else would I want members to know about me? I remain thankful for the NRWA and all the contributions of so many to build a community focused on helping each other succeed. |