AFS Executive Board Elects Lisa Rathje as Newest Member

The American Folklore Society (AFS) is pleased to announce the election of Dr. Lisa Rathje by the AFS Executive Board to serve as a member of the Board from 2025–27. She brings extensive advocacy and leadership experience in both academic and public sector settings, and knowledge of K-12 education and diverse learning spaces in her work to support folklife education across the U.S.

Lisa Rathje is the Executive Director of Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education, an organization dedicated to integrating folk and traditional arts into educational settings across the country. Her career in public folklore, education, and professional development reflects a deep commitment to collaboration and access.

AFS board members affirmed Lisa as a thoughtful and vital addition to the board. With deep experience in education, community engagement, and advocacy, Lisa works extensively with grassroots communities and ensures that folk and traditional knowledge remain accessible in both formal classroom settings and informal learning spaces. She is deeply invested in connecting and inspiring the next generation of folklorists, working at the intersection of public folklore and emerging scholars and practitioners.

With the most recently elected board members bringing diverse perspectives shaped by their positions in the academy, Lisa was identified as our top candidate for her expertise in the public sector, national perspective, advocacy, and ability to strengthen connections across the field.

AFS President Amy Skillman emphasized the significance of Lisa’s appointment, stating: “We are pleased to welcome Lisa to the board at such a crucial moment for both AFS and the broader field of folklore. Her passion for the field, tendency to pose provocative and thoughtful questions, and her partnership experiences will be of great value to us as we work together to keep AFS and the field strong in the face of unprecedented challenges.”

“I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the profession and field that I love through AFS,” wrote Lisa. “As we face uncertainties in multiple arenas, the ways that we commit to each other and community matter more than ever. I am thrilled to be a part of this engaged board and staff as we consider what a thriving ecosystem for the many members of AFS might look like, as well as how our membership contributes to the kind of world we want.”

Please join us in welcoming Lisa Rathje to the AFS Executive Board!