Team biographies

Andrea McDonald, MEd, is the director of child and adolescent learning and well-being at APA. She holds a Master of Science in education from The College of Saint Rose, a BA in economics from Union College, certifications in organizational happiness and positive leadership, and is a candidate for a diploma in global leadership from the UN-Mandated University for Peace. She is also certified as a pre-K to 12 school counselor.

As an educator and strategist with nearly three decades of experience advancing well-being, equity, and opportunity for young people in diverse communities nationwide, her work centers on applying psychological science to strengthen systems that support children in and out of school and elevates community voice in the development of sustainable solutions.

She initially joined APA as the director of the Safe and Supportive Schools Project and has also served the Social Impact team. In these roles, she oversaw the creation of resources for school personnel that translate psychological science into action, lead professional learning communities, human-centered design processes, community-based needs assessments, and cross-sector initiatives focused on public health, equity, and social innovation, integrating population health approaches; equity, diversity, and inclusion principles; and human rights frameworks.

Across her career, including leadership roles in nonprofit program development, school counseling, and community partnership-building, Andrea has consistently worked to expand opportunities for low-income, rural, urban, and historically underserved students. She brings extensive experience in strategic partnerships, workforce and leadership development, project management, grant and budget stewardship, and public engagement.

A frequent presenter and facilitator, Andrea has contributed to national and international conferences on well-being, leadership, and inclusive educational environments. She also serves in multiple volunteer roles supporting community organizations, youth development, and wellness.

Outside of work, she can often be found with a camera in her hands. Her love of photography has instilled the importance of viewing a situation from many different perspectives, a skill she aims to infuse in both her professional and personal life.

Micah Gottlieb brings over two decades of experience in education, leadership, and strategic partnership development to his role as the associate director of child and adolescent applied psychology. 

With a passion for fostering collaboration and driving meaningful engagement, Gottlieb has a proven track record of spearheading transformative initiatives across various educational settings. His extensive background includes two decades in teaching and leadership roles at k–12 schools and as a professional in the corporate education sector, where he has excelled in crafting impactful communications, cultivating community partnerships, and leveraging innovative strategies to achieve organizational goals.

Gottlieb’s commitment to excellence extends beyond his professional endeavors. He holds an MS in educational leadership from Brooklyn College and a BS in applied mathematics and statistics from Stony Brook University, as well as certifications in learning experience design from Oregon State University and redesigning high schools for improved instruction from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

In his role at APA, Gottlieb leverages his diverse skill set and deep understanding of educational ecosystems to drive impactful outreach initiatives, forge strategic partnerships, and advance the center’s mission of promoting psychological well-being in educational settings.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, being outdoors, building, being active, and making music.

Katie Kennedy, PhD, is thrilled to join APA as the associate director of child and adolescent applied psychology. 

Katie received her Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2012. She went on to complete her doctorate in psychology (developmental psychology) at the University of California, Davis in 2018, where her graduate work primarily focused on developmental social cognition (e.g., theory of mind, social categorization).

During and following graduate school, Katie worked in various research roles with the Bay Area Discovery Museum. Throughout this time, she gained industry experience working with companies such as Fisher Price, Green Toys, and Mattel. Katie has since acquired additional invaluable experience in both early childhood education and higher education sectors.

Katie is excited to use her diverse past professional experiences to help bridge the fields of psychological science and education in her work at APA.

Jihyun Lee, PhD is an assistant professor in the Research, Measurement and Statistics Program in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of North Texas. She earned her PhD in quantitative methods from the University of Texas at Austin in 2022.