APA President Cynthia de las Fuentes, PhD, appoints three members of the Advocacy Coordinating Committee

On September 17, 2024, after review by President Cynthia de las Fuentes, the Board of Directors appointed three new members to the Advocacy Coordinating Committee (ACC). The ACC is responsible for identifying advocacy priorities to guide the association's work throughout the year.

Evelyn Burrell, PsyD, Tamara Morris, PsyD, and Christopher Nguyen, PhD, ABPP, have been selected to join the committee. They will represent various aspects of the association’s diverse membership, including disciplinary focus, demographic diversity, student membership, career stage, and employment setting.

On behalf of President de las Fuentes, the association also expresses its gratitude to outgoing members, Chair Jessica M. Smedley,PsyD, Laura Knudtson, PhD, and Erica Wise, PhD, for their contributions to the committee over the years.

Burrell is a licensed clinical psychologist in Arizona and an associate clinical faculty member at Northern Arizona University. Within the Arizona Psychological Association (AzPA), she has served as president, federal advocacy coordinator, and diversity representative where she served psychologists, students, and other mental health practitioners, helping to foster agency, growth, and community engagement. Burrell was also selected for the Minority Leadership Development Program and was a diversity delegate for the American Psychological Association.

Burrell is also the owner of Arise Consultation and Training Services, LLC, where she provides trainings on cultural awareness and equity for professionals who serve the public. In recognition of her advocacy work, she has received several awards, including the Distinguished Contribution to Diversity Award, Outstanding Advocacy for Students, and the Distinguished Contribution to Advocacy Award from AzPA. She was also named one of Phoenix Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and completed the highly competitive Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Fellowship.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, twins, and friends.

Morris is a licensed psychologist and the director of training for the Building Resiliency through Action for Veterans and First Responders programopens in new window, part of the Wisconsin Institute of Neuroscienceopens in new window, and is an assistant professor in the department of psychiatry at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Following her service in the U.S. Army, she earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology, her Master of Arts in clinical psychology degree from Cardinal Stritch University, and her Bachelor of Science in psychology degree from Carroll University. Her doctoral internship was completed at the Cheyenne VAMC, where she later worked as staff in the specialty and trauma clinics, as well as serving as the director of training for the psychology internship program. She has worked extensively within the veteran community and specializes in working with veterans from all eras and military specialties along with treating complex trauma. Her work currently focuses on evaluating and treating mild traumatic brain injuries and trauma in veterans and first responders.

Morris is dedicated in furthering training, learning opportunities, and growth within the field of psychology. She is a first-generation high school and college graduate. The support that she received through mentorship and clinical supervision during her education and training has left a lasting impression on her regarding the importance of community and support in the field of psychology and health care. Ensuring that others will be able to continue to access opportunities for themselves is a deep internal passion of hers and is only possible through advocacy efforts, transparency, and inclusion. She has worked as a clinical supervisor and mentor with trainees at all stages of professional development. Morris is a member of the Wisconsin Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association (Divisions 40 and 56).

Nguyen is an associate professor at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. He serves as the director of the neurobehavior program in the department of psychiatry and behavioral health and the Office of Geriatrics and Gerontology. His research focuses on aging, daily functioning, and crosscultural neuropsychology. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, along with extensive leadership experience. 

As chair of the APA Committee on Aging and President of the Asian Neuropsychological Association, he has spearheaded efforts to promote health equity and reduce disparities in underrepresented communities and among older adults. He also serves on the Gerontological Society of America's Public Policy Advisory Panel, sharing his expertise to support aging-related initiatives in the U.S. and internationally. He is board certified in geropsychology and has established specialized clinics, developed training programs, and organized educational events to address the evolving healthcare needs of older adults in Central Ohio. His service on the board of directors for a local nonprofit mental health agency has deepened his understanding of the challenges faced by mental health providers, reinforcing his commitment to shaping APA's advocacy priorities to meet the diverse needs of its members.

For more information, please contact Director of Governance and Operations Andrew J. Ferreira, staff liaison to the ACC.