National Council for the Social Studies names Executive Director
Good Insight is thrilled to share that the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) announced Kelly McFarland Stratman joins as the association’s next Executive Director. Stratman was most recently Chief of Staff for the League of Women Voters of the United States, a national, nonpartisan nonprofit focused on voter engagement and civic participation.
As Executive Director, Stratman will lead NCSS efforts to elevate the visibility of and advocate for the importance of the field of social studies education while providing support, professional development, research, and community to association members. She takes the helm of a $4 million organization with more than 7,000 active members who uniquely influence and shape the future of social studies education. She began her new role in June 2025.
“NCSS holds a distinct responsibility to be the guiding voice for social studies education in the complex social, economic, and political backdrop that educators face today,” said Jennifer Morgan, President of the NCSS Board of Directors. “Kelly’s unique experiences in association leadership, advocacy, civic engagement, and education position NCSS to ensure our programs and resources meet members’ needs and advance our mission.”
For over two decades, Stratman has held successive leadership roles at the League of Women Voters, where she managed executive teams, board relations, organizational strategy and governance. For more than 10 years, Stratman worked in the organization’s field department collaborating with the organization’s grassroots membership and 750 chapters across the US. Prior to joining the national entity, Stratman was executive director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio, a state affiliate. Stratman’s career began in education, first teaching English to middle and high school students in Japan through the JET Program, and later as a classroom teacher for kindergarten and 4th grade in Ohio and Massachusetts. Stratman holds a Certified Association Executive credential and serves on the board of AFS-USA, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting global citizenship and intercultural learning through international exchange. Stratman resides in the Washington, DC area with her husband and has two college-aged daughters.
“I am energized by the opportunity to join an outstanding community of educators,” said Stratman. “As a longtime advocate advancing civic engagement nationwide, I have witnessed the importance of educating our next generation about the complexities of history, politics, economics, and the other disciplines that make up social studies. I am particularly excited about getting back to my roots in education to work on behalf of classroom teachers. We are at an important moment in history, and I am honored to be stepping into this role to elevate the voice of educators and their enduring commitment to our democracy.”
In the coming year, Stratman will work with the board, staff, and members to envision and collaboratively deliver a new strategic plan that fosters member engagement, high-quality programming, and an expanded base of support. There will be opportunities for members to meet Stratman at the Summer Leadership Institute in Kansas City in July, the 105th NCSS Annual Conference in Washington, DC in December, and various other in-person and virtual touch points throughout the coming year.
“NCSS is thrilled to have Kelly join our team, said Tina M. Ellsworth, President-Elect of the NCSS Board of Directors. “Her collaborative and innovative spirit is exactly what NCSS needs to take it to even new heights! Her extensive experience in leading membership organizations and building networks uniquely positions her to lead our organization. I’m excited to see what great things we can accomplish together, and look forward to welcoming her to NCSS.”
Stratman’s placement concludes a six-month, nationwide process led by the NCSS Board of Directors in partnership with Good Insight, an award-winning, Washington, DC-based executive search firm with an exclusive focus on nonprofits, associations, and foundations. Over 450 applicants submitted interest in the role. NCSS is grateful to Past President, Anton Schulzki, who served as Interim Executive Director during the transition.