December 2024 Board Meeting Recap: Decisions Pave Way for 2025 Progress

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — In a packed meeting on Dec. 14, the USA Fencing Board of Directors approved key measures that set the stage for progress in 2025 and beyond.

Top decisions included the appointment of Jade Burroughs and Marie Donoghue as Independent Directors — two leaders who bring their expertise in sports business and corporate strategy to the Board. (We’ll share bios for both soon.) 

The meeting also approved updates to the Event Site Selection Inclusion Policy, allowing cities in restrictive states to host events as long as they provide written assurances to protect LGBTQIA+ and women participants.

USA Fencing CEO Phil Andrews commended the Board and community for their engagement. 

“I want to thank the Board for its thoughtfulness, the staff for their professionalism and our members for showing unprecedented interest in our Board’s proposed motions,” Andrews said. “This collective effort reflects our community’s passion for fencing and its future.”

The Board also approved the formation of a Referee Development Working Group and an evaluation of hosting the FIE Junior & Cadet Fencing World Championships — as well as other FIE & World Abilitysport events, offering new opportunities for members and fencers on the international stage

Not all proposals were successful. A motion to close USA Fencing’s DEIB office failed, as did a number of other motions. 

The Board approved the consent agenda, which included several routine but impactful measures:

• Approval of September 15, 2024, Board Meeting Minutes
• Integration of International Relations Strategic Plan: Aligns USA Fencing’s international engagement with its 2024-2028 Strategic Plan.
• Approval of 2024-2026 Board Charter and Governance Guardrails: Establishes professionalism and focus standards for the Board.
• Appointment to U.S. SEMI Committee: Adds Felicia Zimmerman as an ex-officio member due to her FIE SEMI role.
• Formation of Referee Development Working Group: Aims to address recruitment and retention within the sport's referee corps.

All items were approved by voice vote.

The meeting featured several motions under new business. Below is a recap of each motion and its result:

A. Independent Director Appointments: Elect Jade Burroughs and Marie Donoghue as Independent Directors to enhance the Board’s expertise in sports and governance. (Proposed by Damien Lehfeldt; passed by secret ballot.)

B. Governance Task Force Formation: Create a task force to evaluate Board structure, roles, and leadership development, with recommendations due in May 2025. (Proposed by Damien Lehfeldt; passed by voice vote.)

C. Event Site Selection Inclusion Policy: Amend the policy to allow city-level exceptions if protections for participants are guaranteed. (Proposed by Damien Lehfeldt; passed by roll call vote.)

D. Task Force on Transgender Policy: Form an all-female task force to review policies ensuring fairness and inclusivity in women’s sports. (Proposed by Maria Panyi; failed by roll call vote.)

E. Financial Task Force: Establish a task force to optimize tournament revenue while improving staff wages. (Proposed by Maria Panyi; failed by roll call vote.)

F. DEIB Office Reconsideration: Replace the DEIB office with a committee. (Proposed by Andrey Geva; failed by roll call vote.)

G. Personal Coach Funding Task Force: Form a task force to explore financial support for personal coaches traveling with athletes. (Proposed by Andrey Geva; failed by roll call vote.)

H. Junior World Championships Hosting Strategy: Develop a plan to host a Junior World Championships as part of the run-up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. (Proposed by Maria Panyi; passed by roll call vote.)

I. Medal Podium Political Protest Policy: Prohibit political statements or protests at venues and on medal podiums. (Proposed by Andrey Geva; failed by roll call vote.)

J. National Anthem Practices: Play the national anthem at the start of each tournament day. (Proposed by Andrey Geva; failed by roll call vote.)

Several other motions were withdrawn by their movants prior to the start of the meeting. You can see those motions in the full minutes, posted here.

For more insight into the meeting from our Board chair, read his recap.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 15, 2025, during the Junior Olympics in Charlotte, N.C. Members of the USA Fencing community are invited to attend in person or view the meeting online.