PEORIA FASHION WEEK ACADEMY — NOW ENROLLING

Nonprofit Governance

Governance & Transparency

Accountability. Stewardship. Public Trust.

Peoria Fashion Week Academy is committed to responsible nonprofit governance, ethical leadership, financial accountability, and transparency with the community we serve. This page provides public access to organizational leadership, governing documents, financial information, policies, reports, and other materials that help demonstrate how the Academy is managed and held accountable.

Leadership

Board of Directors

The Peoria Fashion Week Academy Board of Directors provides governance, strategic leadership, financial oversight, and accountability in support of the Academy's mission and long-term sustainability.

Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright

Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright

Interim President

Board Term

February 2025 – Present

Committees

Executive CommitteeGovernance & Nominating Committee

Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright serves as Interim President of the Peoria Fashion Week Academy Board of Directors, providing executive leadership and governance oversight in support of the Academy's mission.

Bio Coming Soon
Aaron C. Selburg

Aaron C. Selburg

Board Member

Board Term

February 2025 – February 2027

Committees

Finance Committee

Aaron C. Selburg brings professional expertise and a commitment to community impact to his role on the Peoria Fashion Week Academy Board of Directors.

Bio Coming Soon
Kisha Woods

Kisha Woods

Board Member

Board Term

February 2025 – February 2027

Committees

Development / Fundraising Committee

Kisha Woods brings her passion for community development and creative empowerment to the Peoria Fashion Week Academy Board of Directors.

Bio Coming Soon
Kristi Smith

Kristi Smith

Board Member

Board Term

February 2025 – February 2027

Committees

Programs / Education Committee

Kristi Smith contributes her experience and dedication to the Peoria Fashion Week Academy Board of Directors, supporting the Academy's educational programs and community mission.

Bio Coming Soon

Two additional Board members are expected to join following formal Board approval. They will be listed here upon official vote.

Governance Structure

Board Committees

Foundational Documents

Governing Documents

Articles of Incorporation
PDF
Bylaws of Peoria Fashion Week Academy
Adopted: March 2025DOCX
IRS Determination Letter
PDF
Organizational Policies Manual
PDF
Board Policies
Adopted: February 2025PDF
Conflict of Interest Policy
PDF

Board Records

Board Meeting Minutes

Meeting minutes are posted after formal approval by the Board of Directors. Confidential executive-session materials are not publicly posted.

October 21, 2025Board Meeting
AvailableView Minutes
January 2026Regular Board Meeting
Pending Approval
March 2026Regular Board Meeting
Pending Approval
May 2026Regular Board Meeting
Pending Approval
July 2026Regular Board Meeting
Pending Approval
September 2026Regular Board Meeting
Pending Approval
November 2026Regular Board Meeting
Pending Approval

Financial Accountability

Financial Transparency

Responsible financial stewardship is central to the mission of Peoria Fashion Week Academy. Financial information is made available to help donors, partners, families, and community members understand how resources support our programs and mission.

Annual Operating Budgets

2026 Approved Operating Budget
Coming Soon
2025 Approved Operating Budget
Coming Soon

Financial Statements

2026 Year-End Financial Statements
Coming Soon
2025 Year-End Financial Statements
Coming Soon

IRS Form 990

2026 IRS Form 990
Coming Soon
2025 IRS Form 990
Coming Soon

Illinois Annual Charity Reporting

2026 Illinois Annual Charitable Organization Report
Coming Soon
2025 Illinois Annual Charitable Organization Report
Coming Soon

Impact & Accountability

Annual Reports & Impact

2026

2026 Annual Report

The 2026 Annual Report will document program outcomes, students served, community partnerships, and organizational growth.

Coming Soon
2025

2025 Annual Report

The 2025 Annual Report will document program outcomes, students served, community partnerships, and organizational growth.

Coming Soon

Organizational Policies

Policies & Procedures

Policies are posted after formal adoption by the Board of Directors. Documents listed as 'Under Development' have not yet been formally adopted.

Board Policies
Conflict of Interest Policy
Organizational Policies Manual
Whistleblower Policy
Under Development
Document Retention & Destruction Policy
Under Development
Nondiscrimination Policy
Under Development
Equal Opportunity Policy
Under Development
Youth Protection / Child Safety Policy
Under Development
Background Check Policy
Under Development
Volunteer Policy
Under Development
Financial Controls Policy
Under Development
Gift Acceptance Policy
Under Development
Donor Privacy Policy
Under Development
Code of Ethics / Code of Conduct
Under Development
Board Member Code of Conduct
Under Development
Employee Handbook
Under Development
Social Media Policy
Under Development
Privacy Policy
Under Development
Accessibility Policy
Under Development
Complaint / Grievance Policy
Under Development
Anti-Harassment Policy
Under Development
Photography / Media Release Policy
Under Development

Regulatory Compliance

IRS & State Compliance

Peoria Fashion Week Academy maintains its nonprofit and charitable registrations in accordance with applicable federal and Illinois requirements.

IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter
Illinois Attorney General Charitable Registration
Coming Soon
Illinois Attorney General Annual Charitable Report
Coming Soon
Illinois Secretary of State Corporate Status
Coming Soon
Certificate of Good Standing
Coming Soon
Articles of Incorporation

Governance Model

How We Govern

The Board of Directors provides fiduciary, strategic, and governance oversight of Peoria Fashion Week Academy. Day-to-day operations are managed by executive leadership in accordance with board-approved policies, budgets, and organizational priorities.

Board Oversight

The Board of Directors holds ultimate fiduciary and legal responsibility for the organization, setting strategic direction and ensuring mission alignment.

Executive Leadership

Day-to-day operations are led by the Executive Director and Chief Visionary Officer under authority delegated by the Board.

Financial Stewardship

The Finance Committee reviews budgets, financial statements, and internal controls to ensure responsible use of organizational resources.

Conflict of Interest

Board members and staff annually disclose potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from related decisions per adopted policy.

Board Voting

Decisions are made by majority vote of the full Board at duly noticed meetings with quorum present, as defined in the Bylaws.

Committee Structure

Standing committees support the Board's work in governance, finance, programs, development, and communications.

Annual Board Review

The Board conducts an annual self-assessment to evaluate governance effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

Strategic Planning

The Board adopts and periodically reviews a strategic plan that guides organizational priorities and resource allocation.

Program Oversight

The Programs Committee monitors educational program quality, student outcomes, and alignment with the Academy's mission.

Organizational Direction

Strategic Plan

Current Strategic Plan

Review Period: Annual
Coming Soon

Strategic Priorities

Coming Soon

Organizational Growth Plan

Coming Soon

Upcoming Meetings

Board Meeting Calendar

To Be Announced

Regular Board Meeting

To Be Announced

Regular Board Meeting

About the Organization

Organizational Information

Legal Organization NamePeoria Fashion Week Academy
Public-Facing NamePeoria Fashion Week Academy
Tax-Exempt Status501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Year EstablishedTo Be Listed
Fiscal YearJanuary 1 – December 31
Primary AddressPeoria, Illinois
General Emailinfo@thepeoriafashionweek.com
Websitethepeoriafashionweek.com

EIN available upon request.

Mission Statement

Peoria Fashion Week Academy empowers youth and emerging creatives through professional fashion education, mentorship, and real-world industry experience — building the next generation of designers, models, photographers, and creative professionals.

Get in Touch

Governance Questions

Questions regarding governance, organizational policies, public records, or board leadership may be directed to Peoria Fashion Week Academy.

governance@thepeoriafashionweek.com
Contact the Board