NAN's Leadership Ambassador Development (LEAD) Program is an exciting professional advancement curriculum open to Professional members of NAN and Trainee members who will be eligible for Professional membership in NAN by the completion of the program.

 

WATCH FOR INFORMATION ON THE 2023-2024 LEAD OFFERING IN SPRING 2023


Benefits Include:

  • Engage with Past NAN Presidents and a Corporate Trainer
  • Develop your leadership style with targeted resources and a personalized communication profile
  • Learn about NAN committees and develop a plan for how to get more involved in NAN and beyond
  • Become an advocate for NAN and neuropsychology 
  • Network with other professionals and NAN leadership

Expectations:

  • Attend 7 online webinar sessions
  • Attend networking event during the NAN Conference
  • Engage in active discussion with colleagues at each webinar
  • Promote the mission and activities of NAN through your Ambassador Role 

Spotlight on Recent LEAD Participants

Callie Cooper

I am currently the Element Chief of the largest Mental Health Clinic in the Air Force at JBSA Lackland in San Antonio, TX.  Additionally, I also serve as faculty for the Clinical Psychology Internship program overseeing the training of neuropsychological assessment.  The NAN LEAD program has been a great experience to bolster my leadership skills and increase my confidence in taking on more responsibilities.  It was an excellent way to interact and network with colleagues as well as some of NAN’s greatest leaders.  It was an honor to participate in the LEAD program from across the world while deployed to Africa serving some of the military’s most elite members.

Dede Ukueberuwa O’Shea

I am a clinical assistant professor at Tufts University in Boston and the inaugural neuropsychologist in the Division of Psychiatry at Lahey Hospital. While establishing the neuropsychology center in a multidisciplinary setting, the NAN LEAD program has been integral in further developing my communication and management skills. My drive is to translate clinical research into assessment and intervention practices that are accessible to broad communities, and in my free time I'm enjoying mini-hikes throughout New England. I am also the Poster Chair for the NAN 2022 Annual Conference and feel enthusiastic about increasing engagement in our field.

Kathryn Wyman-Chick

I am an early-career clinical neuropsychologist and NIH-funded principal investigator at HealthPartners, a large healthcare system in the Twin Cities. My primary clinical responsibilities are within the Center for Memory & Aging and the Struthers Parkinson’s Center. The leadership training and mentorship through the NAN LEAD program helped to improve relationships with colleagues who differ from me in terms of preferred communication styles. My participation in the program also increased my confidence to engage in new opportunities with the NAN Publications Committee and the NIH Early-Career Reviewer program. I look forward to serving in both capacities over the next several years. In my free time, I enjoy traveling and collecting vinyl records.

Eric Zimak

I am a pediatric neuropsychologist at the University of New Mexico Hospital, where I am involved in clinical work, supervision, teaching, and research. Through the NAN LEAD program, I have gained a better understanding of the many types of leadership roles for clinical neuropsychologists. In particular, this program helped spark my interest in seeking out opportunities in the community where I can educate children and teachers in engaging ways about topics in neuropsychology. In terms of personal interests, I really enjoy cooking dishes from around the world, and giving them a local New Mexican twist.

Joel Eppig

I am currently an early-career clinical neuropsychologist practicing within the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program at the Rehabilitation Institute of Washington. Participating in the 2021-22 NAN LEAD program was an amazing experience that facilitated the development of my leadership abilities while simultaneously allowing me to connect with many other wonderful neuropsychologists across the country! The program helped me better understand my communication style, fostered my confidence to take on new roles, and allowed for important self-reflection of my values and priorities as a leader. Since completing the LEAD program, I have been fortunate to become a member of the NAN Education Committee and look forward to continued contributions to NAN and advocacy for our field for years to come.  

Rachael Smetana

I am currently finishing my postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Psychiatry & Neurobehavioral Sciences at University of Virginia (UVA) Health, and will join the faculty at UVA as an Assistant Professor in September 2022. The NAN Lead Program helped me better understand and develop my own leadership style, and learn how to effectively be a leader in a variety of settings and situations. Further, the program allowed me the opportunity to meet and collaborate with a number of NAN members across different stages of their careers. I look forward to using these leadership skills as a member of NAN’s Legislative Action & Advocacy Committee (LAAC) and in other positions across neuropsychology organizations. I also plan to use these skills in my service and advocacy work to promote better access to mental healthcare in my local community. 

Viktoriya Samarina

I am currently a clinical neuropsychologist at the VA Central California Health Care System. I am so lucky to have been part of the 2021-2022 NAN LEAD program. This program provides so many opportunities to learn and grow as a leader and a professional in the field of neuropsychology. I look forward to applying the different communication techniques and specific leadership strategies in my career. Currently I serve as the Treasurer for the Northern California Neuropsychological Forum and hope to continue expanding my leadership roles in the field of neuropsychology.

Summer Rolin

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. I have a lifespan practice targeted at treating rehabilitation patients with multiple medical co-morbidities. The NAN LEAD program has in helped develop my areas of interest in advocacy and in program development to promote pathways for access to neuropsychology and education within health care systems and communities to promote neuropsychology’s role in all aspects of health care. Currently, I also consult as a sports neuropsychologist to varsity athletics at the University of Texas at San Antonio. 

Kelsey Hewitt

I am transitioning to a faculty position after completing my fellowship in the Department of Neurology at Emory University School of Medicine. The NAN LEAD program helped me define my leadership style and provided key skills in communication. I am excited to use what I learned with the NAN Honors and Awards Committee and in my newly accepted role as New2Neuropsychology’s Student Engagement Committee Chair. NAN built a community with this program that helps normalize the challenges faced when first seeking leadership positions and encourages you to go for it!