After 101 years of stellar, superb, and spectacular service, I believe the chief challenge of AMS is to show its relevance for the next century of science, stewardship, and support. In order to transform relevance into reality, I will bring a perspective to the Council that is informed by nearly 30 years of experience and knowledge in government science–based operations and services.    

• People—My vision is for AMS to grow its membership by simultaneously creating a pipeline of new members to meet the evolving needs of its current membership. This includes creating new certifications and short courses to highlight the expanding opportunities and needs in weather, water, and climate, and preserving AMS’s heritage by celebrating members with 25- and 50-year recognitions.
• Processes—My vision is for AMS to streamline processes to develop a range of membership options to encourage sustained participation and involvement. This includes developing sponsorships with small businesses that have a direct connection to atmospheric science and developing viral social media creation campaigns.
• Programs—My vision is for AMS to partner with like-minded individuals from related fields to develop a global presence, and to bridge the gap by developing mentoring programs between early-, mid-, and late-career employees and chartering new chapters at high schools, colleges, and universities with an accredited atmospheric science program.

If elected, my entrepreneurial spirit; community outreach experience; commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and proficiency in government policy and fiscal management will allow me to contribute to the oversight that the Council provides to ensure that AMS remains a vital and vibrant part of the professional landscape. I enthusiastically seek your vote to become a member of the AMS Council to utilize my skillfulness, savvy, and strength to both support and spearhead future AMS endeavors.

Dr. Kandis Y. Boyd, PMP, is a federal government employee, an AMS Fellow, and the 2020 AMS Charles E. Anderson Award recipient for her career-long efforts to support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She currently serves as the deputy division director at the National Science Foundation. In this Senior Executive Service position, she oversees 33 individuals and a $5 billion annual budget to promote the progress of science.

Dr. Boyd’s career started as a summer intern at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, where she developed research analyses for the Tropical Ocean-Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment (TOGA COARE) and presented her findings at her very first AMS conference in 1995.

As the first African-American female to receive an undergraduate degree in meteorology from Iowa State University, Dr. Boyd entered NOAA as an operational meteorologist at the Des Moines Weather Forecast Office. Her career highlights include spearheading the Turn Around Don't Drown (TADD) program, delivering around-the-clock on-site meteorological forecasts during the 2005 landfall of Hurricane Katrina, serving as the designated federal officer for the third National Climate Assessment Development Advisory Committee, and leading as both the acting director and deputy director of the NOAA Weather Program Office.

Dr. Boyd is highly recognized and has published over 50 articles, hosted 30 podcasts, provided over 100 presentations, and authored three books. In addition to her AMS accolades, she has received three Bronze Medals, three NOAA Administrator's Awards, the 2020 Black Engineer of the Year Award for Career Government Achievement, and the 2020 National Weather Association’s Special Act Award. She serves on a variety of AMS committees including the 102nd Annual Session’s Planning Committee’s Subcommittee on Water Security, the Awards Nomination Committee, the Membership Committee, the 2021 Ron Przybylinski Research Operations Nexus, and the Board on Enterprise Decision Support.