Washington — The American Psychological Association has named Maysa Akbar, PhD, as chief of psychology in the public interest in addition to her role as chief diversity officer, recognizing the intersectional relationships of the two posts and Akbar’s unique leadership skills.
Akbar joined APA as its chief diversity officer in 2021 and has served as acting chief of psychology in the public interest since 2022.
“Since joining APA, Dr. Akbar has established herself as a leader in promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion within the discipline of psychology, at APA and across workplaces,” APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, said in announcing the promotion. “The Public Interest Directorate focuses on the application of scientific and professional psychology to human welfare and critical societal issues. Aligning APA’s work across the discipline, the association, the profession and society to address equity and human rights under Dr. Akbar serves to increase organizational effectiveness and build a stronger association, key tenets of APA’s strategic plan.”
As chief diversity officer, Akbar built out APA’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and promoted an EDI framework that informs all of the association’s work. During then-APA President Dr. Jennifer Kelly’s tenure, Akbar spearheaded APA’s adoption of a historic Apology to People of Color for APA’s Role in Promoting, Perpetuating, and Failing to Challenge Racism, Racial Discrimination, and Human Hierarchy in the U.S. She launched APA’s Inclusive Language Guidelines, one of APA’s most downloaded resources. She also led the creation of the association’s Racial Equity Action Plan (PDF, 1.3MB)opens in new window and its commitment to seeding $1.1 million to launch a Racial Equity Fund to advance this work.
As acting public interest chief, Akbar led a comprehensive effort to assess disability accommodations in all of APA’s work. She galvanized leadership development, training and mentorship for psychologists, using an innovative model to unite APA’s professional development offerings. Akbar also formalized a new approach for leveraging psychology to advance solidarity and human rights for historically marginalized groups, including focusing on advocacy training for psychologists working for human rights, supporting the work of the International Psychology Network for LGBTQ+ activities, and addressing antisemitism.
Before assuming the CDO post, she was the founder and chief executive officer of a clinical practice based in New Haven, Connecticut, that specialized in race-based trauma. She also created a consulting firm and educational network focused on organizational leadership and transformation. Her firm delivered cutting-edge programs anchored in EDI to city governments, public schools, and court systems, among other entities. Akbar’s areas of specialty include racial identity development, racism, urban trauma, and allyship, topics on which she has written research articles, books, and book chapters. Akbar is an experienced instructor and master trainer in EDI for both the medical and the broader community.
“Human rights are both my passion and my expertise,” Akbar said. “I am proud of APA’s commitment to using psychological science to fight discrimination in all its forms and promote the rights and well-being of historically underserved and vulnerable populations, I know that the teams I work with will continue to be strong, nimble advocates for social justice and equity, diversity and inclusion.”
Akbar holds a PhD in clinical psychology from St. Louis University, a master’s in community psychology from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, and a BA in psychology from the State University of New York at Albany.