Clinical and community psychologist, policymaker, and health care innovator Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, is CEO of the American Psychological Association, the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. Evans holds a doctorate in clinical/community psychology from the University of Maryland and a master's degree in experimental psychology from Florida Atlantic University, where he also completed his undergraduate work. Evans previously served in public policy positions in Philadelphia and Connecticut, where he led the transformation of their behavioral health systems and their approaches to serving a wide range of individuals with complex needs. An unconventional leader, Evans has employed science, research, community activism, spirituality, traditional clinical care, policy and cross-system collaborations to change the status quo around behavioral health. He has held faculty appointments at Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania’s Schools of Medicine, and is the author or co-author of over 60 peer-reviewed research articles, chapters, reviews and editorials. Over the years he has received national and international recognition, including the American Medical Association’s top government service award in healthcare, the Lisa Mojer-Torres Award from Faces and Voices of Recovery, and the Visionary Leadership Award from the National Council of Behavioral Health, as well as being named as an “Advocate for Action” by the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy. A major emphasis of his career has been equity and social justice and he has received multiple awards named for Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. for this work.

Dr. Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon is formerly the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). As the head of SAMHSA, Dr. Delphin-Rittmon has championed SAMHSA’s mission to advance the behavioral health of the nation and improve the lives of individuals living with mental and substance use disorders and their families.

She has led SAMHSA in standing up the 988 Lifeline, which works to prevent suicide by offering free, 24/7 crisis care, and in its work to address overdose, which has increased nationwide naloxone distribution by 33% and contributed to a 15% reduction in overdose deaths – the first decrease we have seen in over five years. Under her leadership, SAMHSA has funded more recovery supports, services, and grant programs than in our country’s history and established collaborative initiatives and new offices to address inequities, build healthier communities, integrate behavioral and physical health care, grow the behavioral health workforce, overcome stigma, and create a more supportive, person-centered landscape.

She previously served as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) from 2015 to 2021. Prior to this role, she served as Deputy Commissioner, Senior Policy Advisor, and Director of the Office of Multicultural Healthcare Equity within DMHAS. In her role as Commissioner, Dr. Delphin-Rittmon was committed to promoting recovery oriented, integrated, and culturally responsive services and systems that foster dignity, respect, and meaningful community inclusion.

In addition, Dr. Delphin-Rittmon served on the faculty at Yale University in the Department of Psychiatry for 20 years, most recently as Adjunct Associate Professor. While at Yale, Dr. Delphin-Rittmon also served as the Director of Cultural Competence and Health Disparities Research and Consultation with the Yale University Program for Recovery and Community Health.

In May 2014, Dr. Delphin-Rittmon completed a two-year White House appointment working as a Senior Advisor to the Administrator of SAMHSA with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. While at SAMHSA, she worked on a broad range of policy initiatives addressing behavioral health equity, workforce development, and healthcare reform.

Widely recognized for her work in the behavioral health field, Dr. Delphin-Rittmon has earned numerous awards for advancing policy in the design, evaluation, and administration of mental health, substance use, and prevention services and systems. Most recently, she received the 2024 National Leadership Award from the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, the 2024 Purdue College of Health and Human Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award from Purdue University, the 2024 Visionary Leadership Award from the American Psychiatric Association, and the 2024 Friend of NASADAD Award from the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors. Additionally, Dr. Delphin-Rittmon received the 2023 Human Values Award from the Art of Living Foundation, the 2023 Children’s Mental Health Champion Award from the American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the 2022 Distinguished Public Service in Psychology Award from the National Register of Health Service Psychologists and The Trust, Washington, DC.

Dr. Delphin-Rittmon received her B.A. in Social Science from Hofstra University in 1989, her M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Purdue University in 1992 and 2001, respectively, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical community psychology at Yale University in 2002.

Dr. Dietra D. Hawkins, Psy.D. is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and the CEO and Founder of Both And Partners. She is an executive coach, facilitator, researcher, speaker, and visionary, dedicated to equipping forward-thinking leaders with tools and strategies for creating transformative change. Dr. Dietra and her team work nationally and internationally with state and federal agencies, local governments, nonprofits, schools, behavioral health agencies, and recovery communities. She also serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale University’s Program for Recovery Health, where her research and work focus on systems change and community engagement.

With extensive experience designing and leading community dialogues, Dr. Dietra specializes in strategic planning, diversity and inclusion, group dynamics, and conict resolution. She facilitates workshops on a range of topics, including Environmental Justice, Healing Racism, Appreciative System Change, Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care, and Asset-Based Community Development. Her expertise extends to family, child, adult, and community behavioral health, with a strong commitment to working alongside parent and consumer advocacy organizations. As an Executive Coach, Dr. Dietra empowers individuals and teams to navigate change, align their goals, and foster growth. Her primary research interests include racial and ethnic health care disparities, organizational transformation, HIV prevention and intervention, and cultural competency.