WASHINGTON — The American Psychological Association has named Brian D. Smedley, PhD, its chief of psychology in the public interest, charged with leading the association’s efforts to bring the science and practice of psychology to some of the country’s most pressing societal issues, with an emphasis on underserved populations. He brings to this position over 25 years of leadership and management experience at the intersection of health equity research, policy and advocacy.
Most recently, Smedley served for five years as the executive director and co-founder of the National Collaborative for Health Equity, whose mission is to undo the health consequences of racism. He concurrently served as co-director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leadership National Program Center, an institute of the foundation that trains leaders working across sectors to build a culture of health, and to support structures, systems and policies that promote health and well-being.
Earlier in his career, Smedley worked at APA as director of public interest policy with a portfolio that included issues related to LGBTQ+ populations, people living with HIV/AIDS, ethnic minorities and low-income communities. He served as an APA congressional science fellow in 1993-4, acting as a legislative assistant to Rep. Robert “Bobby” C. Scott, D-Va., on youth violence prevention initiatives. Following his time in senior APA staff positions, Smedley served on APA’s Membership Board and Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest, which recommends public interest priorities to the governance and staff of APA.
“Brian Smedley will be a great asset to our Public Interest Directorate, having served in both APA staff and elected leadership positions,” APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, said in announcing the appointment. “His national reputation working for health equity, together with his management, advocacy and fundraising experience, will be invaluable as we align our public interest efforts with the association’s new strategic plan.”
The chief of psychology in the public interest is a senior position within APA, reporting to the deputy CEO and serving as part of the CEO’s executive management group.
“I am excited to be returning to APA in this key post to continue this vital work,” Smedley said. “The experience I gained at APA early in my career was instrumental in my later professional successes, so I am energized to close the circle by coming back to lead where I started.”
Before assuming his position with the collaborative, Smedley was vice president and director of the Health Policy Institute of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, the nation’s oldest think tank focused on addressing the needs of communities of color. He was also research director and co-founder of The Opportunity Agenda, a communications, research and policy organization whose mission is to expand opportunity in the United States, particularly among historically marginalized groups. He has received awards and citations from organizations including the American Public Health Association, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and the Institute of Medicine (now the National Academy of Medicine).
Smedley holds a PhD and an MA in clinical psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University.
Smedley will begin his new job part time immediately, transitioning to full time on Nov. 1. He succeeds Clinton W. Anderson, PhD, who served as interim executive director for public interest for nearly two years. Anderson will return to his previous post as head of APA’s Office on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity.