At its final meeting of 2025, the Board of Directors of the National Issues Forums Institute (NIFI) elected new officer leadership to guide the organization in the year ahead. The Board is pleased to announce that Hollie Cost has been elected to serve as Chair, and Linda Seals has been elected to serve as Vice-Chair.

These leadership transitions reflect the Board’s ongoing commitment to strong governance, nonpartisanship, and the advancement of NIFI’s mission to equip, empower, and mobilize people to use deliberation to take action for the public good.

Hollie Cost brings a distinguished record of public service, civic leadership, and institutional innovation to her role as Chair of the National Issues Forums Institute. As Assistant Vice President for University Outreach and Public Service at Auburn University, she spearheads initiatives that forge meaningful partnerships between higher education and communities across Alabama and beyond. Her career reflects a lifelong dedication to democratic engagement, from her tenure as a professor of special education at the University of Montevallo to her transformative leadership as city council member and later mayor of Montevallo, where she and her teams reimagined traditional town halls into inclusive community deliberations.

Dr. Cost’s acceptance statement underscores her unwavering commitment to advancing NIFI’s mission:

“I deeply appreciate the trust my fellow board members have placed in me by electing me to this position at such a pivotal moment in our nation’s history and in the life of our organization. NIFI’s legacy of leadership, shaped by visionaries like Dr. David Mathews, Ms. Betty Knighton, and most recently Dr. Kara Dillard, sets a powerful foundation. I am honored to build on that legacy alongside our dynamic board and our forward-thinking executive director, Ms. Cristin Brawner, by moving NIFI’s work beyond productive and peaceful dialogue toward bold, transformational community action.”

Dr. Cost has served on the NIFI Board for several years and most recently held the position of Vice-Chair. In these roles, she contributed to strategic planning, governance development, and organizational stewardship during a period of growth and transition for the Institute. As Chair, she will work closely with the Board and staff to advance NIFI’s strategic priorities and ensure the organization remains responsive to the evolving needs of communities, campuses, and educators nationwide.

Linda Seals has been elected to serve as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Issues Forums Institute (NIFI). She is a Regional Specialized Agent with University of Florida IFAS Extension, where she focuses on community-based education, engagement, and applied research. Ms. Seals brings a practitioner’s perspective rooted in public-facing work and local problem-solving—an approach that aligns closely with NIFI’s commitment to inclusive, participatory decision-making.

“I am deeply honored to serve as NIFI’s next Vice-Chair,” says Ms. Seals. “As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary during a time when democracy feels fragile, NIFI’s mission to foster dialogue and participation has never been more critical. I am excited to work alongside our exceptional board, our visionary executive director, Cristin Brawner, and Dr. Hollie Cost to build on the remarkable legacy of leadership that has brought NIFI to this moment. Together, we will advance NIFI’s mission and strengthen spaces where every voice matters.”

As Vice-Chair, Ms. Seals will work alongside the Chair to provide board leadership and guide the organization’s governance and strategic direction. She offers the insight of a seasoned board member who has helped NIFI navigate a period of transition, growth, and renewed strategic focus. Her institutional knowledge, dedication to nonpartisanship, and deep understanding of community-based civic work position her as a trusted partner as NIFI enters its next chapter.

Looking Ahead

The Board extends its sincere appreciation to the outgoing officers for their leadership and service. Their contributions have helped position NIFI for continued impact as the organization expands its programming and national partnerships.

With new officer leadership in place, NIFI enters 2026 with strong governance, clear direction, and a renewed commitment to fostering deliberative democracy and shared civic responsibility across the United States.