Jeanne Jones Jindra, Director of the Madog Center for Welsh Studies at the University of Rio Grande was recently elected as the President of the Welsh North American Association. She joined the board of the Welsh North American Association in 2010, and has served as Secretary, Vice President and moved into the role of President at the NAFOW in Philadelphia 2022. She has been the Seminar Chair for the WNAA for the past 12 years. Jeanne was inducted into the Order of Ivorites for distinguished service to the Welsh community in 2010. She enjoys travelling to work at the National Eisteddfod in Wales each year in the Cymru Gogledd America and stand with her friends from the WNAA and NAWF boards.

“It is an honor to be named as President of the Welsh North American Association after serving on the board in other capacities for several years” said Jindra. “My goals as President are to engage all members of the Board of the WNAA to utilize their passion and skills in planning these fantastic festivals and too promote the NAFOW to grow attendance.”

Born and raised in southern Ohio, Jeanne received the gift of her Welsh heritage from her father, whose four great-grandparents were born in small villages in Cardiganshire. A graduate of Ohio University and the University of Rio Grande with a background in education, she has been Director of the Welsh Studies Center at the University of Rio Grande since 2006. She coordinates the Welsh Exchange Program with University of Wales, Trinity Saint David in Carmarthen, Wales, and also the Davis Internship. Jeanne is active in the local Welsh group, a trustee for the Welsh-American Heritage Museum, a member of the board for the Gallia County Convention & Visitors Bureau and serves on the board of the Welsh Society of Central Ohio.

Jeanne and husband Louis enjoy time at home, growing wine grapes on their farm, and also travelling in Wales, where they have many close friends made through her connections over the years.