Elena J. Eisman, EdD, ABPP, will retire from the American Psychological Association in August 2019 after having served in multiple roles over the past five years at the association.
“We are grateful for the length and breadth of Elena’s service to psychology and to APA,” said APA’s Chief Executive Officer Arthur C. Evans, PhD. “She has skillfully shepherded the organization through significant transitions and has done so with vision, strength and grace.”
Eisman came to APA in 2014 as the associate executive director for governance operations for the APA Practice Directorate and the APA Practice Organization, overseeing policy for the Board of Professional Affairs (BPA), the Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice (CAPP) and the Committee on Professional Practice and Standards. In 2015, Eisman was also appointed director of the Center for Psychology and Health, an APA center of excellence that includes the Office of Healthcare Financing and the Office of Integrated Healthcare. The Center leads APA's and psychology's promotion of health.
Eisman continues in both roles, assisting in the transition of CAPP, and as the point person for the APA opioid misuse initiative, including promoting workforce development in non-pharmacological pain management.
Before joining APA staff, Dr. Eisman served for over 20 years as the executive director and director of professional affairs for the Massachusetts Psychological Association.
In addition, she has been an active APA member with an extensive governance career, serving as chair of the State Leadership Conference (now CSL), BPA, the Commission for the Recognition of Specialties and Proficiencies in Professional Psychology, and the Policy and Planning Board, and as a member of CAPP and Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology faculty. She represented Massachusetts and Div. 31 on the APA Council of Representatives and served as a member of the APA Board of Directors (2010-13) before joining the APA staff. She is American Board of Professional Psychology board-certified in two specialties: (marital and) family psychology, a specialty credential she helped to create; and clinical psychology. She was awarded the Heiser Award for State Advocacy and the 2000 State Leadership Award.
“Elena is one of the true champions for psychology and a delight to work with. She will be greatly missed,” Evans said.
Eisman will return to Massachusetts after she leaves APA to paint and embark on new adventures.