Movers and Shakers highlights the career advancements and accomplishments of trailblazers working professionally in diverse areas of standardization, contributing every day to the strength and success of the U.S. standards and conformance community.
The American National Standards Institute has announced two updates.
Sara Desautels has been named senior director, international policy. In her new role, Desautels will be the focal point for ANSI engagement in International Organization for Standardization (ISO) policy and governance activities. She will also serve as the ANSI representative on the ISO Technical Management Board (ISO/TMB). She will work closely with ANSI members, impacted stakeholders, and ANSI senior management to help shape U.S. global standards policy positions. In addition, Desautels will play a key role in representing ANSI and advocating for U.S. standardization interests in various global, regional, and bilateral engagements, and will serve as the staff liaison for the ANSI ISO Council (ANSI/AIC).
With 26 years of experience at ANSI, Desautels brings a deep understanding of the international standards landscape and a strong track record of leadership and collaboration. She is widely respected across the global standards community for her expertise and professionalism. Prior to assuming this position, Desautels was ANSI’s senior director of ISO technical engagement. In this role, she oversaw ANSI's ISO Team (ISOT), which serves as the official interface between ISO in Geneva and ANSI-accredited U.S. Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) and ANSI-delegated U.S.-held ISO secretariats. She has overseen a diverse portfolio of programs and projects important to ANSI’s mission and strategy, and served as staff liaison to the ANSI ISO Forum.
In previous years, Desautels also served as the staff support for the ANSI Intellectual Property Rights Policy Committee (IPRPC) and ANSI International Conformity Assessment Committee (ICAC), and administered numerous ISO secretariats, including ISO TC 127, Earth-moving machinery, which was awarded ISO’s prestigious Lawrence D. Eicher Award in 2008.
Ed Terhune is ANSI’s new director, ISO P-membership services. In this role, he will oversee ISOT and its operations. The team provides support and guidance for U.S. participation in more than 560 ISO Technical Committees (TCs). Terhune will also oversee a number of Enhanced Services contracts that provide for ANSI administration of a number of U.S. TAGs and secretariats.
Terhune has worked with ANSI for more than 14 years, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to the Institute’s members and the broader standards ecosystem. He is known for his thoughtful approach, strategic insight, and ability to foster meaningful engagement. Previously, he was senior program manager, ISOT. In this role, he managed many key elements of ISOT operations, including the implementation of new business processes and the development of policies and practices, related to the services ANSI provides to U.S. TAGs and delegated secretariats. He interfaced frequently with U.S. TAGs and delegated secretariats on high-level issues; provided key input in ANSI ISO Forum meetings; oversaw ANSI virtual technical advisory groups (VTAGs); and contributed to the ANSI TAG Operations training course development, delivery, and compliance tracking. Terhune also oversaw staff managing international programs and services, offering his expertise and counsel for performance management, training and mentorship, and assessment.
Terhune has administered the secretariat and related U.S. TAG for ISO TC 42, Photography, for the past 12 years.
