Governance & Leadership
The National Board of Executive Function Certification operates under a formal governance structure that ensures integrity, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of certification, education, and professional conduct.
Our Governance Philosophy
NBEFC’s governance model ensures all decisions are informed by multidisciplinary expertise and grounded in evidence-based practice.
Integrity
We uphold the highest standards of professional ethics and conduct in all certification decisions.
Transparency
Our governance structure and policies are clearly defined and regularly reviewed.
Accountability
We maintain responsibility to certificants, the public, and the profession we serve.
Excellence
Evidence-based standards drive our certification, education, and professional development programs.
Executive Leadership
Michele Nusbaum
Executive Director, National Board of Executive Function Certification
Michele serves as the Executive Director and Founder of the National Board of Executive Function Certification (NBEFC). She oversees the Board’s operations, certification policy, ethics, and educational initiatives, including the Give Teachers EF Initiative and NBEFC’s Continuing Education framework. Her leadership supports the Board’s mission to expand awareness, improve educational access, and maintain the highest standards of professionalism in executive function training and certification.
Governance Structure
The National Board of Executive Function Certification operates as a founder-led professional certification board. As a privately owned organization, NBEFC’s governance structure is designed to balance centralized accountability with expert advisory input.
The Board is overseen by the Founder and Board Chair, who holds final authority over certification standards, ethical policies, examination requirements, credentialing criteria, and enforcement actions. This structure ensures consistency, accountability, and continuity in the Board’s credentialing decisions.
The Board Chair is supported by two distinct bodies:
- Internal Governance Advisors, who provide guidance on policy development, credentialing standards, and operational review. These advisors contribute expertise and continuity but do not exercise independent voting authority.
- An External Advisory Board, composed of professionals with subject-matter expertise in executive function, education, clinical practice, and related fields. Advisory Board members contribute perspective, research-informed insight, and professional guidance but do not participate in formal governance or credentialing decisions.
Certain advisory roles are not publicly disclosed in order to preserve independence, minimize conflicts of interest, and maintain objective decision-making within the certification process.
As the organization grows, the governance structure may be expanded to include additional appointments to support long-term oversight and institutional continuity.
Advisory Board
Multidisciplinary professionals providing expertise and guidance to strengthen NBEFC’s mission.
Expert Guidance Across Disciplines
The Advisory Board is composed of professionals representing education, psychology, behavioral science, and related disciplines. Members provide expertise and guidance that strengthen the Board’s mission of advancing integrity, quality, and consistency in executive function education and certification.
Each Advisory Board member contributes to the Board’s initiatives through consultation, review, and participation in internal committees aligned with their area of expertise. Their collective insight supports the development of ethical standards, continuing education, and best practices that serve both professionals and the communities they impact.
Committees of the Board
Standing committees support the Board Chair by providing structured review, subject-matter expertise, and professional input in key areas of executive function certification and practice.
Committees operate in an advisory and support capacity and do not exercise independent governance authority. Final decisions regarding certification standards, ethics enforcement, examinations, and policy rest with the Board Chair.
Ethics & Professional Standards Committee
Supports the Board Chair in reviewing ethical questions, professional conduct matters, and alignment with the NBEFC Code of Ethics. The committee provides guidance and recommendations to inform enforcement and policy decisions.
Education & Provider Review Committee
Reviews educational provider applications, continuing education submissions, and program materials for alignment with Board standards and credentialing requirements. Recommendations are submitted to the Board Chair for final determination.
Certification & Examination Committee
Advises on examination design, content domains, delivery procedures, and evaluation practices to support fairness, consistency, and integrity in the certification process.
Research & Policy Committee
Monitors emerging research and professional developments in executive function and related fields and provides guidance to inform updates to standards, continuing education, and Board policy.
Committee Operations
Committees may include Advisory Board members and other appointed professionals with relevant expertise. Committee participation is by appointment and does not confer governance authority. Committee activities are conducted internally to preserve confidentiality, integrity, and the independence of the certification process.
Our Commitment to Excellence
Through collaboration between the Executive Director, Internal Governance Advisors, Advisory Board, and standing committees, NBEFC maintains its mission of promoting professional excellence, ethical practice, and consistency across the field of executive function.
Annual Review: NBEFC reviews its governance policies annually to ensure continued compliance with national expectations and evolving best practices. The Board remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the ongoing advancement of its standards in service of professionals and the individuals they support.
Questions About NBEFC Governance?
We’re committed to transparency and welcome inquiries about our governance structure.
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