NVFC Welcomes Abena Bonso-Bruce as Chief Operating Officer

December 17, 2024

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is pleased to announce that Abena Bonso-Bruce will be joining the staff as chief operating officer. In this role she will assist CEO Sarah Lee in managing the internal operations of the NVFC, including grants oversight, budget development, organizational planning, and more.

The NVFC is excited to welcome Abena Bonso-Bruce in the key role of chief operating officer,” said Lee. “She brings a wealth of experience in association management and a passion for the volunteer fire service and will be an asset in furthering the NVFC’s initiatives and supporting our nation’s emergency responders.”

Bonso-Bruce is an experienced leader with a strong background in both association management and the volunteer fire service. She was with the International Association of Fire Chiefs for seven years, including four years as assistant director for program management. In this role she managed seven federal grants as well as developed strategic plans, instructed training courses, and expanded recruitment and retention initiatives. She most recently served as the executive director for The Transportation Alliance, a nonprofit trade association for the private passenger transportation industry, and the chief people officer for Miller Wenhold Association Management.

Bonso-Bruce holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration. She also serves as a retention and recruitment instructor with Mission CIT LLC, is a recruitment and retention volunteer with Loudoun County (VA) Fire and Rescue, and is chair of the scholarship program for the Ashburn (VA) Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.

Please join the NVFC in welcoming Bonso-Bruce to the NVFC staff. She will start her new role with the NVFC in mid-January.