Q & A with CHRIS DIVJAK ECHEVARRIA
Candidate for SUA President
Caption: Chris (2nd from right) and fellow SUA members, Jamnik Church, Slovenia, 2026
Chris, why do you want to be on the SUA National Board?
I want to serve on the SUA National Board because I believe members must be at the center of every decision. The Members Matter platform is based on listening to members, communicating clearly, protecting SUA’s resources, and making practical improvements that strengthen trust. SUA has a proud history of preserving Slovenian heritage and building community. I want to help honor that history while also addressing everyday member concerns, such as whether payments are properly acknowledged and whether Board spending is responsible, transparent, and tied to real member benefit.
What do you see as the key functions of the SUA President?
The key functions of the President as described in the SUA bylaws state that, if elected, I shall perform all duties incident to the office. I interpret this to mean providing steady leadership, encouraging cooperation among Board members, listening to the membership, protecting SUA’s financial health, and ensuring that decisions are made in the best interest of the organization. The President should help the Board focus on practical priorities: clear communication, responsible budgeting, improved member service, accountability and transparency. That includes making sure members receive basic information, such as confirmation when a payment is received, welcoming new and returning members, advising of new engagement opportunities all while ensuring that any improvement is reviewed carefully, priced responsibly, and never treated as an open-ended expense.
What interests you the most in the President position, Chris?
The SUA National President should build stronger relationships with Branch leaders and members. Members should feel welcomed, informed, respected, and confident that their concerns are heard. Both the national and branch boards should focus on clearer communication, stronger member trust, and practical service improvements. I am especially interested in helping SUA become more responsive to long-time members and newer generations while ensuring that any improvements are sensible, financially feasible, and consistent with SUA’s mission.
What makes you the best candidate for the position?
I believe I am the best candidate because I am committed to listening first, leading fairly, and keeping members at the center of every decision. My two years of service on the previous Board gave me firsthand insight into the changes SUA needs and the practical steps required to make them happen. My approach is grounded in practical leadership, honest communication, and responsible stewardship. I understand that members care deeply about how SUA’s funds are spent, and I take those concerns seriously. I would work to build consensus, respect differing opinions, review facts carefully, and seek reasonable solutions.
Chris, what is one new idea you have for SUA?
SUA is an organization that needs to grow with the times and to keep up with technology. Implementing a secure online membership management platform designed for ease of use by new and existing members as well as for our volunteer staff, at the national board and at the branches, would be a priority.