N. Karl Haden, Ph.D., FACD

As the Founder and President of the Atlanta-based Academy for Advancing Leadership (AAL), an internationally recognized consulting and professional development firm, Dr. Haden is a driving force in elevating health professions education worldwide. His expertise benefits a wide array of academic institutions, administrators, faculty members, and students in fields such as dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and other health sciences. Dr. Haden empowers his clients by creating and implementing tailored leadership development programs, cultivating ethical leadership practices, fostering the growth of high-performing teams and guiding them through organizational change, facilitating strategic visioning, championing innovative curriculum design, ensuring successful accreditation outcomes, and supporting the development of impactful new programs and schools. An insightful speaker, Dr. Haden has delivered over 400 presentations on crucial issues and evolving trends in higher education and health professions policy. He has authored over 80 articles on educational policy and is co-author of The 9 Virtues of Exceptional Leaders (2015) and 31 Days with the Virtues (2020). Dr. Haden’s contributions have earned him significant recognition, including his induction as an Honorary Fellow of the American College of Dentists, the 2017 ADEAGies Foundation Gies Award for Achievement in Public or Private Partnership, the 2019 Professionalism and Ethics Award from the American College of Dentists, his membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon, and a 2025 American Dental Education Association Chair of the Board Citation. Dr. Haden holds degrees in religious studies, the humanities, and philosophy.

Felicia Tucker-Lively, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Dr. Tucker-Lively is the Vice President of AAL. In this capacity, develops, oversees, and facilitates sessions for various professional development programs such as Institute for Teaching and Learning (ITL), Chairs and Academic Administrators Management Program (CAAMP), and Exceptional Executive Leadership (ExcEL) for Women, both for AAL and for specific client projects.

Her areas of interest are professional and organizational development, strategic talent management, human resource management, and career path learning and development. She has experience in administration, operational management, and program coordination at Morehouse School of Medicine, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, and Brooklyn Hospital Center. She has assisted faculty, residents, and administrators in cultivating their growth and development in a variety of settings. Her background involves working with executive leadership teams to solve challenges, develop alternatives, and create efficiencies for improving program quality.

Dr. Tucker-Lively maintains a variety of memberships and positions of leadership in professional and community organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., William Tucker 1624 Society, and Ray of Hope Christian Church. In December 2019, she was appointed one of 12 nationwide faculty and independent researchers to the ADEA Collaborative on Dental Education Climate Assessment, charged with exploring issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and wellness throughout the U.S. and Canada. She received a Bachelor of Science in human services from Cornell University College of Human Ecology in New York and her Master of Public Health in sociomedical science from Columbia University School of Public Health. She received her doctorate in educational leadership from Mercer University in Atlanta. Dr. Tucker-Lively also holds the designation of Success Insights DISC Certified and Prioritized Leader Master Certified.

Meng Becky Zhang, Ph.D.

Dr. Zhang is the Senior Project Manager for AAL. She is Project Management Professional (PMP) certified and engages in the planning, executing, and monitoring of AAL’s client-specific programs and consulting projects. Her experience in higher education includes teaching, conducting research, publishing, and instructional design. She is also experienced in media production, advertising, public relations, and social media.

She has worked in advertising and media productions in mainland China, and marketing and public relations in California and Florida. Originally from China, Dr. Zhang holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and English from Shanghai International Studies University, and a master’s in radio and television from San Francisco State University. She received her doctorate in mass communication and a graduate certificate in women’s studies from the University of Florida.

Nicole Esposito

Nicole Esposito is a QuickBooks Certified Gold ProAdvisor and a distinguished leader with over 20 years of experience in finance, project management, and organizational transformation. While working for Fortune 500 companies, she excelled in strategically enabling global staff through automation, process improvements, training, and the implementation of multiple systems and programs. Nicole’s expertise spans a wide array of fields, including strategy and planning, financial management, business analytics, project and program management, budgeting and planning, and solution-driven approaches. Her dedication and skill have earned her several peer-to-peer awards for excellence and collaboration during her tenure.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Nicole is a certified youth soccer coach, where she develops leadership skills, team collaboration, and positive attitudes in elementary-aged children. She is also actively involved in her community, volunteering as part of her community engagement committee, where she successfully executes large-scale events.

With her deep passion for local small businesses, Nicole decided to transition into owning and operating her own firm. She now leverages her professional skills to help guide and support members of her community in achieving their goals.

Judith Albino, Ph.D.

Dr. Albino is a Senior Consultant for AAL and works extensively in the areas of leadership training, planning and evaluation, and board development, with a special focus on higher education and academic health centers. Her executive coaching includes individual leadership development, career, and candidate coaching, as well as team development and leadership.

As President Emerita of the University of Colorado and Professor of Community and Behavioral Health in the Colorado School of Public Health, Dr. Albino directed the Leadership for Innovative Team Science (LITeS) program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. This year-long program provided leadership training for senior scientists and academic administrators in the health sciences and professions, including deans, chairs, and division heads, as well as directors of major laboratories and clinical services. She continues a scientific career of more than forty years that included leading the only NIDCR health disparities research center focused on American Indian populations. Dr. Albino has been chief executive officer of two higher education systems, and her experience includes several roles at the dean and vice-presidential levels, as well as faculty appointments in medicine, dentistry, public health, and psychology. She received her baccalaureate and doctoral degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and the Certificate in Professional Coaching from the Zicklin School of Business of Baruch College, City University of New York.

Dr. Albino’s leadership has extended to community and nonprofit groups, as well as service on corporate, hospital, and civic boards. She also has served on governance groups of the American Psychological Association; the Federation of Behavioral, Psychological, and Cognitive Sciences; the American and International Associations for Dental Research; the American Council on Education; and the National Collegiate Athletics Association. She recently completely service as Chair of the Board of Caring for Colorado, a health grant-making foundation. Dr. Albino’s research in behavioral aspects of health and disease has been supported by the National Institutes of Health and has resulted in hundreds of scientific publications and presentations. Dr. Albino has received an honorary doctorate and a distinguished alumna award and was named the Distinguished Psychologist in Management by the Society of Psychologists in Leadership.

Hershey S. Bell, M.D., M.S., FAAFP

Dr. Bell is a Senior Consultant for AAL and works extensively in the areas of strategic planning, competency-based education, and authentic leadership and management. Given Dr. Bell’s extensive background as a clinician, he is the originator of AAL’s Power of Empathy in Clinical Practice workshop, which provides participants with an opportunity to engage in a personal and unique conversation about their own use of empathy in clinical practice.

In addition to his role at AAL, Dr. Bell currently serves as Vice President of Medical Education Program Development at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, NC. He is also Professor of Clinical Family, Community and Preventive Medicine and Associate Regional Dean for Drexel University’s campus at Cape Fear Valley. Dr. Bell had served as Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of the School of Pharmacy, Professor of Family Medicine, and Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) in Erie, Pennsylvania. Dr. Bell, a Toronto native, graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto in 1982. He completed his family medicine residency education at the University of Toronto and Duke University and achieved board certification in family medicine in Canada and the United States. Following residency, he served as a Duke University National Faculty Development Fellow.

In 1992, he earned the distinction of Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He was awarded the Master of Science in Medical Education by LECOM in 2007. In 2009, he was named one of 12 charter members of the National Academy of Osteopathic Medical Educators by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. Additionally, he is the 2009 recipient of the John and Silvia Ferretti Distinguished Teaching Award at LECOM and the 2010 recipient of the Miller Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Osteopathic Medical Profession.

Dr. Bell has held the positions of Family Practice Residency Director at Hunterdon Medical Center in New Jersey; Division Chief and Vice-Chair of Family Medicine at Duke University; Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania; and Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Evaluation at the College of Medicine at LECOM. He practiced “full-service” family medicine for two decades and maintains an active Pennsylvania medical license.

Marsha Butler, DDS

Dr. Marsha Butler creates a positive coaching experience by aligning evidenced-based coaching skills with her executive business experience to help senior leaders and business executives achieve their personal ambitions, their leadership or business goals and desired business results. She is a transformative, executive leader/coach with global business experience supporting leaders across various sectors including consumer goods, health and wellness, academia, technology, and non-profit organizations.

Marsha partners with leaders who are focused on their personal and professional growth, on driving innovation, promoting team and organizational effectiveness, navigating to foster a change mindset, and most importantly creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture within their organizations.

Marsha has over 30 years of professional experience working as Vice-President in Global Oral Care at Colgate-Palmolive. She has worked globally to achieve business success with a deep understanding of diverse populations and global business needs. Team effectiveness, relationship-building with relevant stakeholders and collaborative leadership are key pillars of her success.

As an executive coach, Marsha utilizes a highly researched 3 CP coaching experience from Columbia University informed by a strategic set of core competencies and learning that will help address opportunities and barriers to success that the client defines. Marsha supports a comprehensive range of executive coaching services including Leadership Development, Performance Enhancement, Career Planning, Transitional Leadership, DE&I, Change Management and Team Effectiveness.

Marsha specializes in coaching leaders to embrace who they are, how they continue to succeed, and how they find a sense of fulfillment and balance as they pursue what is meaningful and purposeful for them as they grow, build and/or transition in their careers. She strives to empower leaders to be their most authentic selves while discovering the potential impact of their work, the rewards of better health, work life balance and joy in their daily living.

Marsha is known for her soft-spoken, authentic, engaging, and direct approach to coaching that provides a trusting environment for her clients to reflect, experiment, transition and discover opportunities for ongoing learning, growth, and change.

Lisa D. Cain, PhD

Lisa D. Cain, PhD, joined The University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston faculty in 2017 as Associate Dean for Professional Development and Faculty Affairs, and as a Professor in the Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences. She came to the School of Dentistry from The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, where she served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Associate Member of the Institute for the Medical Humanities, Director of Medical School Enrichment Programs in the Office of Student Affairs, and as Assistant Dean for Faculty Affairs at the School of Medicine.

Her experience in governance and faculty affairs also includes past roles as chair of the UTMB Faculty Senate and co-chair of the Health Affairs Committee of UT System’s Faculty Advisory Council. She was founder and chair of the UTMB Faculty Development Council.

Her experience in faculty development leadership initiatives extends to the regional, national and international levels. She was a member of The University of Texas Sponsorship Workshop Planning Committee and holds an elected position in the American Association of Medical Colleges Group on Faculty Affairs (GFA). She is a member of the GFA’s Steering Committee, Program Planning Committee and is a past member of the GFA’s Mentoring Team. Dr. Cain organized and founded the Texas Consortium for Faculty Success, which consists of 13 Texas health science institutions and 18 faculty affairs/faculty development administrators.

Her involvement as a medical and graduate educator spans 30 years. At UTMB, she was course director for Gross Anatomy and Radiology, as well as course director for the Graduate School of Biomedical Science’s Cell Biology course for several years.

As a past vice chair of the Curriculum Committee at the School of Medicine, Dr. Cain reviewed and evaluated basic science and clinical courses. She served as the subcommittee chair for the evaluation of governance and administration for the LCME medical school accreditation process in 2014-2015 and was a member of the LCME Preparation Committee.

As a neuroscientist, Dr. Cain’s research has focused on investigating cholinergic neuron survival and agents that protect spinal cord neurons against the effect of glutamate toxicity and other insults.

She is the recipient of multiple teaching awards and honors, including:

UT System Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award (ROTA)
The Pre-Clinical Woman in Medicine Award, UTMB (outstanding teacher and role model)
The Dr. Martin Luther King Service Award
Induction into the Academy of Master Teachers, UTMB
Selection by the Academy of Master Teachers to receive the Class of 1947 School of Medicine Memorial Professorship for Excellence in Education
University of Texas Distinguished Teaching Professor
Graduate of the Scholars in Education Program
Internationally, she is known for her contributions to education and has served as an educational consultant on the national and international levels, leading initiatives in France (Paris), Canada and Africa. She is a Marshall Goldsmith’s Certified Executive Leadership Coach and has served as a mentor to students, faculty and administrators. Dr. Cain is also an artist who incorporates her love for art into the educational arena.

Randy D. Danielsen, Ph.D., PA, DFAAPA

Dr. Danielsen is a Senior Consultant for AAL and works extensively in the areas of professional development for faculty, Accreditation Review Commission-PAs, and academic writing for various publications and research articles. Recognized as a distinguished academic administrator, clinician, educator, author, and editor, Dr. Danielsen offers a broad range of expertise as a lead online instructor for AAL’s Compass Program for Academic Advancement.

In addition to his role at AAL, Dr. Danielsen is Director of the Doctor of Medical Science Program at Arizona School of Health Sciences. Dr. Danielsen graduated from the University of Utah Physician Assistant Program (UPAP) in 1974 and received his bachelor’s in health science (cum laude) from the University of Utah in 1978, his master’s in PA studies from the University of Nebraska with an emphasis on internal medicine in 1997, and his doctorate in interdisciplinary arts and sciences from the Union Institute & University in 2003, with an emphasis on medical education. He completed 16 years with A.T. Still University as Academic Coordinator (1995-1997) and Chair of Physician Assistant Studies (1997-2004), and was the Inaugural Dean of the Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS; 2004-2010), returning as Dean in 2012. He was honored in 2010 by A.T. Still University with Professor Emeritus status.

He has served on the board of directors of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and as a board member and Chair for the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). From 2010 to 2012, he served as Senior Vice President for the NCCPA Health Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization that designs solutions for improving the capacity of certified PAs to impact quality and accessibility of healthcare delivery. Dr. Danielsen has been a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission since 2009 and in 2014 completed the Advanced Certificate in Peer Review.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Danielson served as President of the Utah Academy of Physician Assistants (UAPA) and the Arizona State Association of Physician Assistants (ASAPA), and as Chair of the Arizona Regulatory Board for PAs. Retired after 28 years of service in the U.S. Air Force and Army National Guard, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Danielsen also is former President of the AAPA Veterans Caucus and was honored with the Caucus’ Civilian PA of the Year Award in 2003. Dr. Danielsen was named Outstanding PA of the Year by the AAPA in 1993 and by ASAPA in 2011. In 2012, he was honored by the University of Utah, School of Medicine, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Division of Physician Assistant Studies with the Patron of the Profession award for “unwavering dedication and service to the Physician Assistant Profession.” In May 2015, he received the Eugene A. Stead Award of Achievement by the AAPA. This is the Academy’s most prestigious award, recognizing an individual for lifetime achievement that has had a broad and significant impact on the profession.

He currently serves as PA Editor-in-Chief for Clinician Reviews, a peer-reviewed professional journal for both PAs and nurse practitioners. Dr. Danielsen has published more than 17 peer-reviewed articles, 30 journal editorials, five book chapters, and his first co-authored book, entitled The Preceptor’s Handbook for Supervising Physician Assistants, published by Jones & Bartlett Learning. Dr. Danielsen is also a proud member of Rotary International.

Marcia M. Ditmyer, Ph.D., M.S., MBA, M.C.H.E.S.

Dr. Marcia Mastracci Ditmyer is Dean for the Crystal M. Lange College for Health and Human Services at Saginaw Valley University (SVSU) in Saginaw, Michigan. She came to SVSU after serving as the associate dean for education and professor in residence with Emerita at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), School of Dental Medicine where she provided leadership and assumed oversight for all educational programs and learning environments within the school. In her 18 years at UNLV, she gained experience in interprofessional education and collaborative practice working within a variety of health professions.

Dr. Ditmyer also served as Vice President for the Academy for Advancing Leadership (AAL) from 2014 to 2016 and has remained as a senior consultant since 2016. In this role, she developed and conducted customized leadership and professional development training programs, provided institutional effectiveness and accreditation guidance, and implemented workforce and feasibility planning studies. Ditmyer also worked in the automotive sector from 1978 through 1996.

Ditmyer’s experience and expertise are wide-ranging, from risk mitigation to leading complex change initiatives to building partnerships across a variety of stakeholders, including academic institutions, non-for-profit organizations, businesses, and government agencies. At UNLV, she spearheaded the COVID-19 Response Team for the dental school, using evidence-based best practices to maintain the continuity of education, while ensuring a safe and healthy environment for faculty, staff, students, and patients. She has continued her involvement with the COVID team at SVSU.

As a Michigan native, Ditmyer received an MBA from Central Michigan University, a Master of Science from California College for Health Sciences, and a PhD from the University of Toledo. She also holds the Master Certified Health Education Specialist credential from National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. Her formal training has allowed Ditmyer to work as an epidemiologist, researcher, and community health specialist.

Ditmyer is a health and fitness enthusiast and believes in a holistic approach to wellness, centered on the principles of inclusion, empowerment, and personal wellbeing.

Lisa Eichelburger, PhD, RN

Dean at Clayton State University, College of Health & Professor of Nursing

Dr. Lisa Eichelberger is the Dean Emeritus of the College of Health at Clayton State University where she led the department for more than 16 years. She is also a professor at the university for both undergraduate and masters-level courses. Dr. Eichelberger currently is Executive Director on a federal Health Resources and Services Administration grant, through Southern Regional and Clayton State University, focused on increasing the COVID-19 vaccination rates in Clayton County, GA. She and her grant team are coordinating the collective resources and services of Southern Regional’s leadership members, Clayton State University, Clayton County Health District, Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services, Clayton County Public School System, Clayton County Chamber of Commerce, Clayton County Association of Christian Ministers, Clayton County Senior Services, Clayton Country Board of Health Comprehensive Facility, and local clinics.

Clyde H. Evans, Ph.D.

Dr. Evans is a Senior Consultant for AAL and works extensively in the areas of professional development for administration and staff, diversity and inclusion training, interprofessional education, and mentorship. His executive coaching experience includes career coaching in higher education, team development and leadership, and coaching for high-potential executives.

In addition to his role at AAL, Dr. Evans was Vice President of the Association of Academic Health Centers from 1998 to 2005. Previously, he spent 13 years at Harvard Medical School as a faculty member, Director of the Office for Academic Careers, and Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs. In 1996-1997, Dr. Evans served as a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow, working for Senator Bill Frist on biomedical research, bioengineering, academic health centers, and cloning. In 1997, Dr. Evans was Scholar-in-Residence at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), working on leadership issues with the Council of Deans.

Dr. Evans has conducted numerous seminars, including the AAMC Women in Medicine early and mid-career professional development seminars, the minority faculty professional development seminar, and executive development seminars for chairs, associate deans, and new deans. He has consulted with public and private schools, state departments of education, and numerous academic health centers on the institutional aspects of faculty development. He has expertise in addressing the institutional issues connected with faculty recruitment, retention, and advancement, including those specific to female and minority faculty. His diverse experiences allow him to incorporate perspectives from the level of professional and personal issues for individual faculty to the broader organizational issues for institutions.

James F. Galbally, Jr., Ed.D.

Dr. Galbally is a Senior Consultant for AAL and the lead instructor of the Economics of Higher Education executive workshop, at which he provides strategic and operational instruction.

In addition to his role at AAL, Dr. Galbally is President of The Galbally Group, which was established in January 2011 to provide both strategic and operational counsel to college and university leaders. Dr. Galbally was Founding Principal of The Presidential Practice, a consulting group that provided transitional, strategic, and operational counsel for college and university presidents. The Presidential Practice partnered with the Council of Independent Colleges to develop and implement the Institutional Diagnostic Service, a program that provided newly appointed presidents with an assessment of their institution’s health, as well as new opportunities for program enhancements. While at The Presidential Practice, Dr. Galbally supported university and college leadership as they focused on improving strategic direction and financial health.

Dr. Galbally spent more than 30 years at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was responsible for the strategic planning and operational management for Penn’s School of Dental Medicine. He also was on the faculty of the American Dental Education Association Leadership Institute and the Association of American Medical Colleges Leadership Education and Development Certificate Program. Dr. Galbally received his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, master’s of education from Temple University, and bachelor’s degree from La Salle University. He is a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia and was Senior Scholar at the Santa Fe Group, an action-oriented think tank that fosters policy and initiates actions to improve the health and well-being of the public.

Gemina Gates, MPA, PA, RN

AAL Senior Consultant Gemina Gates has been involved in PA education since 1992. She was the founding Associate Director of the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center Physician Assistant Program and was responsible for the creation and development of the program which she subsequently directed from 1999-2003.

Ms. Gates has held a series of faculty and administrative positions at The City College of New York/Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education Physician Assistant Program @ Harlem Hospital Center, Lehman College and St. John’s University. In 2012, she retired as the Assistant Dean/Program Director of the CCNY School of Medicine PA Program.

After leaving CCNY, her extensive consulting experience has been centered on the provision of continuous assessment, evaluation, and development of the programmatic applications for institutional and national accreditation; curriculum development; course mapping; and faculty development in many existing and provisional Physician Assistant education programs.

She received a Bachelor of Science degree from the City College of New York; a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Baruch College; and a nursing degree from the Phillips Beth Israel School of Nursing. As a consultant, she has provided services to many professional associations including the Advisory Council on Minority Attrition for the Association of Physician Assistant Programs and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Some of her professional presentations have focused on issues related to development of minority faculty pipelines and strategies for reducing minority attrition in professional programs. The majority of her administrative educational career has been devoted to creating educational opportunities to underrepresented minorities emerging from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Ms. Gates’ clinical career has been dedicated to medically under-served populations.

Her clinical experience includes registered nursing and practice for more than 20 years as a board-certified physician assistant with extensive experience in general/laparoscopic surgery and orthopedic surgery. Ms. Gates was the first and only physician assistant hired by DePuy Orthopedics to train orthopedic surgeons worldwide in minimally invasive computer-assisted joint replacement surgery.

Kenneth L. Kalkwarf, D.D.S., M.S.

Dr. Kalkwarf is a Senior Consultant for AAL and works extensively in the areas of leadership development, institutional assessment, and Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accreditation, as well as conducting feasibility studies. He has consulted at more than 40 dental schools worldwide, on issues ranging from curriculum, research, and clinical affairs to faculty and leadership development.

In addition to his role at AAL, Dr. Kalkwarf is Dean Emeritus at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) Dental School. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), completed a general practice residency at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, and returned to UNMC for his master’s degree and a certificate in periodontics. He holds a certificate in personal financial planning from Florida State University. Dr. Kalkwarf served UTHSCSA from 1987 to 2013, with 24 years as Dean of the Dental School and the last two years as President ad interim. Prior to his appointment at UTHSCSA, he held faculty positions at UNMC and the University of Oklahoma. He is the principal author of more than 175 articles published in professional journals and has presented more than 270 lectures throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. He was the founding Chair of the American Association of Dental Schools (ADEA) Commission on Change and Innovation in Dental Education.

Dr. Kalkwarf received the American Dental Association’s highest award, the Distinguished Service Award, in 2009. He has also received Presidential Citations from the American Dental Education Association in 2001 and 2009, and has been recognized by Who’s Who in America since 1995. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology and has served in numerous national leadership capacities, including as President or Chair of the American Dental Education Association; the Commission on Dental Accreditation; the Joint Commission of National Board Dental Examinations; the Supreme Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society, and the American College of Dentists.

Schoen W. Kruse, PhD, MSHPEd

Dr. Schoen Kruse serves as Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Integrated Learning at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Dr. Kruse is committed to developing an integrated approach to academic affairs and aligning the university’s strategy with all educational initiatives. He is driven to create innovative solutions and build teams that enhance the work environment and create success.

Dr. Kruse has an extensive background in teaching in the basic sciences, pharmacology, learning sciences, and leadership development. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado and his Master of Science in Health Professions Education from the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. He has completed training at the Harvard Macy Institute and Costin Institute for Osteopathic Medical Educators and is a Fellow of the National Academy of Osteopathic Medical Educators. Dr. Kruse serves as faculty for the Harvard Macy Institute and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Senior Leadership Development Program, where his instruction focuses on curriculum design, emotional intelligence, leadership, teamwork, and the learning sciences.

Dr. Kruse has shaped the development and innovation of new medical curriculum, fostered partnerships resulting in new dual degree opportunities in public health, and utilized the visual arts to enhance tolerance for ambiguity and teach foundational competencies of interprofessional collaborative practice. He is a champion for student well-being, psychometric evaluation of students, the use of technology and simulation in health professions education, and interprofessional curricular design.

Monty MacNeil, DDS, MDentSc

Dr. MacNeil is a Senior Consultant for AAL and works in the areas of institutional strategic planning and assessment, the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) accreditation process and in analyses of program feasibility. Dr. MacNeil is Professor Emeritus and Dean Emeritus at the University of Connecticut (UConn) School of Dental Medicine. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Dalhousie University and a Certificate in Periodontology and Master of Dental Science degree from UConn. He has held academic positions at Dalhousie University, Indiana University, the University of Michigan, and UConn.

Dr. MacNeil has published widely in both basic & clinical research and in education methodology, the latter focusing on student assessment and models for clinical education. At UConn, he served three terms as Dean, preceded by eight years as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Dr. MacNeil has served as a consultant on curriculum to CODA, Chair of the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations and Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). Instrumental in the founding of the Coalition for Modernizing Dental Licensure, he continues to serve on its Executive Committee. Dr. MacNeil’s contributions to dental education have been recognized by many entities including two Citations for Service from ADEA, Distinguished Alumnus awards from both Dalhousie University and UConn and the highest honor of the Connecticut State Dental Association, the Fones Medal.

Jennifer B. McCants , D.D.S., MSD

Dr. McCants is an innovative leader and executive in healthcare. Having served in the profession for over 20 years, Dr. McCants is an advocate for patient-centered care and transformational healthcare service delivery models. In 2017, Dr. McCants’ heart for public service led her to the position of Director of Oral Health Services for one of Metro Atlanta’s premier Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers (FQHC’s) which is a community health care center that provides comprehensive health care to the city’s most vulnerable population. She has since been appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer of the health center. Dr. McCants’ first passion is academics. As such, she also serves as a preceptor for master’s in public health (MPH) candidates at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University and Georgia State University School of Public Health. Dr. McCants is a Part Time Instructor at Georgia State University, School of Public Health in leadership and career development.

Romesh Nalliah, DDS, MHCM

Dr. Romesh P. Nalliah is a distinguished leader in healthcare education and administration, with a career spanning diverse clinical and academic environments. Currently serving as the Associate Dean for Patient Services at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Dr. Nalliah oversees a complex clinical operation, ensuring compliance, quality assurance, and risk management for over 800 providers. His commitment to efficiency and excellence in healthcare was highlighted by his successful leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic where his collaborative leadership and effective protocols led to zero clinical transmissions. Dr. Nalliah also provided oversight to the complete re-modeling of the clinical spaces at University of Michigan School of Dentistry – a four-year project.

Dr. Nalliah’s extensive background in health services research and public health is supported by over 150 peer-reviewed journal publications, national and international awards and numerous international presentations. As a researcher dedicated to change, he has contributed to multiple policy changes in the state of Michigan and co-wrote Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs’ official opioid prescribing guidelines for dentists in the state of Michigan.

As an Associate Editor for the Journal of Dental Education, he has driven impactful initiatives and helped grow the journal’s readership and submission rates. As an Academic Editor for Pain Research & Management, Dr. Nalliah has helped drive the dissemination of pharmaceutical innovations. Dr. Nalliah has also served as Chair of Curriculum and Programming at Mass Dental Society where, under his leadership, membership grew by 9.5% over two years.

With advanced degrees in Healthcare Management from Harvard and a Fellowship in Healthcare Policy from the University of Michigan, and a Fellowship in Medical Education at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Nalliah has a strong foundation in both the strategic and operational aspects of leadership in academic health centers. His experience in enhancing educational frameworks and developing professional development courses positions him as a visionary leader in leadership training and coaching.

Marnie Oakley, D.M.D.

Dr. Oakley is a Senior Consultant for AAL and works extensively in the areas of clinical teaching and preceptorship, leadership development, communication, conflict resolution, and change management in complex organizations to promote continuous growth. A proud graduate of the ADEA Leadership Institute who subsequently served the program in an advisory role, Dr. Oakley is known for her passion for leadership training and continuous self-reflection. In addition to her role at AAL, Dr. Oakley serves as the Dean at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. She served an active duty 4-year tour as Dental Officer in the United States Navy. In her experience as a clinical teacher for nearly three decades, she has been responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive care clinical curriculum that is focused on student learning, assessment, and patient care outcomes. Dr. Oakley regularly works hand-in-hand with university organization development human resource teams to strategically develop and realize reorganization plans that promote workflow efficiencies in the clinical environment. Her past experience serving as a department chair, and later as the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, allowed her to value the skill of recognizing human talent. She has worked to recruit valued team members and promote their strengths to foster efficiency and success in support of a strategic vision and plan. She continuously inspires a robust customer service approach to empower employees to serve their customers across all fronts in dental education. Dr. Oakley is a proud alumna of the Berkeley Institute of Executive Coaching and uses her certification and experience to help executives discover and reveal the best versions of themselves.

Ross Peters, MEd

Ross Peters is Vice President of School Strategy at EXPLO Elevate and a Senior Consultant for AAL. His work focuses on Independent Schools and their national and regional associations in the areas of strategic planning, change management, board practice, and curriculum development.

Beginning his career with eight years at Providence Day School as a middle and upper school English teacher, he served in significant leadership roles at Asheville School, Hawken School, The Westminster Schools, and St. George’s Independent School.

He serves or has served on the Boards of the National Association of Independent Schools, the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools, and Bridges USA. He and his wife Katie also served as members of the Family Partners Council at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital.

Growing up in Richmond, Virginia, Ross was a thirteen-year graduate of St. Christopher’s School. From there he went to Sewanee: The University of the South (B.A., English), followed with an M.Ed from the University of Georgia. While deeply appreciative of the remarkable gift of education he received at every level, his best learning has resulted from being an educator working with students whether as a classroom teacher or as a school leader.

From founding an integrated Humanities Department to establishing an Honor System at a small, hundred-year-old boarding school (Asheville School), and from reinventing the use of time to creating an urban campus in two schools ready for significant innovation as Upper School Director at both Hawken School and The Westminster Schools, Ross has had the chance to immerse himself in strategic and aligned school cultures. As Head of School at St. George’s Independent School, he mobilized that experience to help a younger school maintain the forward-thinking qualities that make it unique in Memphis.

At the core of his belief in the value of an independent school is this idea: in order to create the education our students need and deserve, schools must mirror the qualities we demand of those we teach; thus, our learning curve should remain steep and our dedication to holding up the values we name as most important should be unwavering. This commitment to match the expectations we have for students in the way we think, act, work together as an institution guides his work.

A widely published poet and photographer, he has completed work on a collection of poetry entitled, The Flood is Not the River, and he provided the foreword and over one hundred photographs for a book entitled, Sacred Views: St. Francis and the Sacro Monte di Orta (Punctum Press, May 2020).

You can find his thoughts on education, as well as anything else he might be thinking about, on his blog—Ross All Over the Map.

Elizabeth S. Pilcher, DMD

Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Pilcher is Professor Emerita in the Department of Reconstructive and Rehabilitative Science in the College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). She retired from the position of Senior Associate Dean and Professor in July 2023. She received her BS from the College of Charleston and her DMD from MUSC and Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry. She has had over 30 years’ experience in undergraduate dental education, administration and in clinical care, including 8 years in public health dentistry. She has had experience in grant administration in the fields of distance learning, web-based education and the clinical care of persons with special needs She was co-PI on a Duke Endowment grant to develop a web-based resource for dental care in SC for persons with special needs, and Co-PI on a grant to develop an Interprofessional rotation in the Special Health Care needs at MUSC. Dr. Pilcher served as Director of Strategic Planning at the university level for MUSC from 2010-2015 and at the College of Dental Medicine from 2008 to 2023. She has also served as an independent consultant for strategic planning for private groups. She currently maintains a part-time intramural clinical practice at MUSC.

Brad J. Potter , D.D.S., M.S.

Dr. Potter is a Senior Consultant for AAL and works extensively in the areas of career development, curriculum design and assessment, and accreditation for the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Given Dr. Potter’s extensive experience in higher education administration, he provides expert guidance in professional development and advancement for faculty.

In addition to his role at AAL, Dr. Potter received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Northwestern University in 1979. After returning home to Denver, he practiced general dentistry for 10 years. He then attended the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), where he received a certificate in dental diagnostic science and Master of Science. After UTHSCSA , he taught at the Medical College of Georgia for 14 years, where he served as Interim Dean for two years and Vice Dean for two years. Dr. Potter was the former Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, where he maintains his teaching responsibility in the Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences. He has a private practice in oral and maxillofacial radiology.

Dr. Potter has been an active member of the Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology since 1990. His participation in academy activities has included serving as Treasurer from 1995 to 2003 and as the academy’s CODA representative for four years. Dr. Potter served in leadership positions for the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, including one year as President. He is a Fellow of the 2005 ADEA Leadership Institute and served as a faculty advisor for the Institute between 2006 and 2011. Dr. Potter is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, the American College of Dentists, and the International College of Dentists.

Dee Ramsel, PhD, MBA

Dr. Ramsel is a Senior Consultant for AAL and works in the areas of executive coaching, leadership development, team building, strategic planning, and organizational consultation. As a former senior executive in the federal government and leader of organizational health for Veterans Affairs, she brings extensive experience as a leader and facilitator to executives, teams, and organizations that wish to improve their performance.

Dr. Ramsel’s credentials include a doctorate in clinical psychology and an MBA, as well as experience as a clinician, mental health executive, postdoctoral fellowship director, organization development consultant, and medical college professor. She was a co-principal investigator in the area of executive coaching outcomes and has published multiple articles in peer-reviewed journals, particularly in the areas of employee engagement, psychological safety, and change management.

Dr. Ramsel stays active in professional societies and community organizations. She is Past President of both the Society of Psychologists in Management and the Society of Consulting Psychologists/American Psychological Association Division 13 and a former associate professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She has won multiple awards, including the highly competitive 2019 Meritorious Presidential Rank Award. Other recent awards include the Leadership Worth Following Excellence in Developing Consulting Psychologists Award and the American Psychological Association Presidential Citation. Dr. Ramsel is currently an associate editor for the APA journal Psychological Services.

Tyler Reimschisel, MD, MHPE

Dr. Tyler Reimschisel is an AAL Senior Consultant and the Founding Associate Provost of Interprofessional and Interdisciplinary Education and Research at Case Western Reserve University. In the latter role, he coordinated interprofessional and interdisciplinary education and collaborative practice initiatives for graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, and staff at Case Western Reserve University and its affiliate partners. Currently, he is the Division Chief of Pediatric Neurology and Epilepsy at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, OH, and a Senior Attending Physician, Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences at University Hospitals. As a certified team coach, he provides team coaching, consultation and education sessions to teams working in clinical, academic, nonprofit, and community settings.

Dr. Reimschisel is board-certified in Neurology with Special Qualifications in Child Neurology, Clinical Biochemical Genetics, and Clinical Genetics. His primary clinical interests include the evaluation and management of children with inborn metabolic diseases and other genetic conditions that cause neurodevelopmental disabilities, such as global developmental delay, intellectual disability, autism, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy.
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Perry Rettig, PhD

Perry R. Rettig, Ph.D.

After serving as Vice President at Piedmont University for the better part of a decade, Dr. Perry Rettig now holds the position of Distinguished University Professor at Piedmont. He has been an educator for the past 39 years, serving initially as a public school teacher and principal. After twelve years in the K-12 setting, Dr. Rettig became a professor of Educational Leadership and Administration at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and then served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs prior to moving to Georgia in 2013. At Piedmont he served in the roles of Vice President for Academic Affairs, VP for the Athens campus, VP for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, and interim Dean for both the College of Education and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Rettig earned his master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, and his doctorate at Marquette University. He has spoken extensively across the country and across the globe on leadership and education topics. He has written nine books ranging in topic from Leadership, Case Studies, Democratic Decision-Making and Shared Governance, and Enrollment Management. His most recent book is Battles in the Trenches: How Leaders in Academia Can Learn from Elite Athletes and Coaches. Presently, he is writing, Brain Research and Learning Theory: Implications to Improve Student Learning and Engagement.

Michelle Robinson, DMD, MA

Michelle Robinson, DMD, MA is the Senior Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is the first and only person on her campus to have served in leadership roles in both a health and a non-health school, having been interim dean for the School of Dentistry from 2018-2019 and interim dean for the School of Education from 2020-2022. This shaped her core belief that leadership skills are transferable across roles, disciplines and cultures, and that everyone can hone their abilities to be an effective leader.

Within the School of Dentistry, Dr. Robinson has led the areas of information technology and informatics, billing and patient finance operations, strategic planning and institutional effectiveness, clinical affairs, faculty development, compliance/executive risk assessment, and diversity and equity and inclusion. She has mentored faculty, staff, and students at all levels starting at middle and high school and continues to teach in health informatics and health administration. Her areas of research and publication include technology innovations in dentistry, gamification, and organizational climate and culture. She has been continually funded and most recently served as an associate editor for the NIH 2021 report, “Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges”.

Dr. Robinson is a graduate of Rutgers School of Dental Medicine and the General Practice Residency program at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. She has a biomedical informatics degree from Columbia University and certifications that include Special Patient Care, Information Technology Project Management, and Online Education. She has held multiple leadership roles at the national level, including Chair of the Dental Informatics Working Group of AMIA and Chair of the Dental Informatics Section of ADEA. Dr. Robinson is the recipient of several awards in the areas of teaching, research, service, and mentorship. She has given lectures, continuing education courses, and served as a consultant for various universities, associations, and study clubs throughout the United States and Europe.

Catherine Todero, Ph.D.

AAL senior consultant Catherine Todero has enjoyed a 50-year career in nursing and nursing education. She served as the Creighton University College of Nursing Dean between 2015 and 2023 before retiring as Vice Provost of Health Sciences. Dr. Todero earned her BSN from Creighton in 1972 and a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1974, followed by a Ph.D. in administration, curriculum and instruction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1986.

From 1979 to 1980, she was the director of Creighton’s R.N.-BSN curriculum. She also served in the U.S. Army Reserve Nurse Corps with the 82nd Field Hospital from 1979 to 1983, attaining the rank of captain. From 1989 to 2006, she was Associate Dean of Nursing at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing. Dr. Todero served as Director of the School of Nursing at San Diego State University from 2006 to 2011. From 2011 to 2015, she was Associate Dean for Nursing and Regional Site Coordinator for Azusa Pacific University.

Rebecca S. Wilder, MS

Professor Wilder is a career academician, having served on the faculties of Texas Woman’s University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (UNC) for over three decades. She is the Adams Term Professor and Associate Dean for Professional Development and Faculty Affairs at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry. She has consulted with international companies in product and talent development. She is an experienced writer, author and former Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Dental Hygiene. Professor Wilder holds a certificate in coaching from Georgetown University’s Executive Leadership Coaching Program and is ACC certified by the International Coaching Federation. She coaches academicians and healthcare providers with a focus in executive presence, leading during change, communication as a tool to drive change, new leader coaching, stress management, conflict dynamics, and team facilitation.

John N. Williams, DMD, MBA

Dr. John N. Williams, throughout his extensive academic career, has mentored many successful leaders who have advanced to roles of dental dean and beyond. Now as a Senior Consultant at AAL, he shares his large expertise in coaching and program development with emphasis on dental accreditation. In addition, he has considerable experience in planning, administrative organization, higher education finance, faculty mentoring, leadership development, and philanthropy. He has served as interim president/president of Transylvania University, Lexington, KY, served for 21 years as a dental dean of three research intensive university-based dental schools: Indiana University (2010-2019), University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (2005-2010), and University of Louisville (1998-2005). He also served as Associate Dean for Educational Programs (Louisville) and as Assistant University Provost (Louisville) in charge of discipline-specific accreditations. He has been active at the national level serving as a member of the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA-Chicago) and Chair of the CODA Pre-doctoral Review Committee, which oversees accreditation policy for all DDS/DMD educational programs in the United States. As a CODA Chair Consultant for over 20 years, he has led periodic and initial site-visits for over half the dental schools in the US. He has served as vice president for Deans of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and as a member of the ADEA Board of Directors. For five years, he was a faculty adviser and mentor for the national coaching program: ADEA-AAL Leadership Institute. Currently he is a Coach-Mentor for the recently established ADEA Council of Deans Fellowship program. He has made over 260 presentations to groups on dental and higher education. Dr. Williams has authored or coauthored more than twenty-five articles on dental education. He is a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy and Fellow of the International College of Dentists. He is currently a member of two private higher education boards of trustees.

Pamela Zarkowski, JD, MPH

Professor Pamela Zarkowski is currently the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Detroit Mercy. She is a Senior Consultant for AAL and works extensively in leadership development, implicit bias, and legal and ethical aspects of higher education. Given Prof. Zarkowski’s diverse background and extensive experience in higher-education administration, her executive coaching experience includes career coaching in higher education and mentorship for high-potential executives. Prof. Zarkowski is a rotational instructor for both AAL’s CAAMP and CAAMP II programs.

She earned a Bachelor of Science, a Masters of Public Health in Dental Public Health and a Teaching Certificate in Community Dentistry from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University. An educator for more than 40 years, she has served in various administrative roles and continues to teach predoctoral, graduate and dental hygiene students. She has held different leadership roles in national organizations, provided workshops and published in the area of professional, legal and ethical issues for dental and health professionals. She is a past president of the American Dental Education Association, Society for Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine and the American Society for Dental Ethics and former Chairperson of the ADEAGies Foundation. She is also a faculty contributor to the annual ADEA Leadership Institute and Allied Leadership Institute programs.

Prof. Zarkowski is an honorary member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon and an honorary fellow of the American College of Legal Medicine. In 2011 she received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Dental Education Association. She was honored by the ADEAGies Foundation as the 2017 recipient of the Gies Award for Achievement – Dental Educator. In 2019 she was named as one of Crain’s Notable Women in Education Leadership.