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.


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: 9/27/24, 11/15/24,12/13/24, 1/10/25, 2/21/25, 4/4/25, and 5/9/25 (all 2:00-3:30pm EST)
  • Encouraged attendance at networking event during the NAN 2024 Annual Conference (11/6/24 - 11/9/24)
  • Review brief videos and materials before sessions to best engage in active discussion with colleagues at each webinar
  • Promote the mission and activities of NAN through your Ambassador Role 

*Applications for the 2024-2025 LEAD Program is now closed. 

Spotlight on Recent LEAD Participants

Sheliza Ali

I am an assistant professor and clinical neuropsychologist in the Department of Neurology at the University of Kentucky where the my role is split between patient assessments and research. My participation in the NAN LEAD program helped me identify my personal communication style and understand how that may promote or hinder clear communication when engaging with others. I have been eager to implement and refine these skills in practice. I also appreciated their guidance for getting involved in neuropsychology leadership. I balance my work-life by focusing on activities that bring me joy like gardening, crafting, and playing with my dog.
 

Brittany Bascetta

Clinical Neuropsychologist at Long Island Neuropsychological Services, Adjunct at Derner School of Psychology Adelphi University, and involved in various organizations/committees including the New York State Association of Neuropsychologists (Board of Directors, Secretary, Communications and Social Media Committee). As an early career neuropsychologist who is involved in various projects, this program helped to increase my confidence in my leadership skills and motivation to pursue additional leadership and ambassadorship roles. One of the early LEAD sessions includes an inventory that you complete to learn more about your communication and leadership style. It was eye opening to see this "on paper". Not only did we refer to this inventory throughout the remaining LEAD sessions, but I refer to it often when considering how to communicate information at work, with my clients, as well as socially! When I'm not writing neuropsychological evaluation reports or spending time with my family, I become passionate accumulating new hobbies - from gardening and knitting/crocheting, to acupuncture, yoga, and aerial skill arts.
 

Patricia Garcia

I am an early-career clinical neuropsychologist and Assistant Professor in the departments of Neurology and PM&R practicing at Indiana University School of Medicine. I am involved in clinical work, supervision and mentoring, teaching, and clinical/translational research. I am fortunate to have participated in the NAN LEAD Program for the 2023-2024 cohort. This program offered a wonderful opportunity to further develop my leadership style. I learned about my leadership and communication style and that of others, which undoubtedly will help me in identifying more effectively ways that my teammates can contribute to ideas and execute projects. Throughout the LEAD seminars, I also gained a new perspective about the importance of seeing leadership development as a lifelong commitment which requires dedication and openness to all possibilities (including failure and setbacks). I look forward to applying my experience with this program towards my professional relationships for enhanced team building, and my continued participation in leadership, service, and advocacy for many years to come.

Danielle T. Kaplan

I am currently completing my fellowship at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, and I am very excited to be joining Hartford Hospital as a neuropsychologist. The LEAD program was instrumental in providing skills for effective communication and building my confidence to seek out and accept leadership responsibilities. I particularly benefitted from discussions regarding professional growth and ability to learn from senior members of the NAN community. I look forward to applying the skills I learned in LEAD to developing new service lines in my faculty position. Professionally, my passions include collaborating across disciplines to improve education regarding concussions and brain health. Personally, I am an avid sports fan and enjoy playing pickleball.


Katherine Kelley, Psy.D.

I am an early career neuropsychologist, working at a rural and underserved hospital system in Pennsylvania. I started at this job directly after finishing my post-doctoral fellowship, and it has been difficult because I am the only neuropsychologist in the area, so I see adult and geriatric patients with all kinds of presenting concerns. The LEAD program was extremely helpful to me in so many ways, but some of the most important things I learned were negotiation and time management skills, different styles of communication, and different ways of being a leader. With my participation in the LEAD program, I have felt empowered to join a committee through NAN and just started on the PAIC committee. In addition, I have joined the LEAD Task Force to help continue this wonderful program. I am currently studying for my written board exam, and, in my limited free time, I enjoy reading and traveling.
 

Elizabeth M. Stuart, PhD

I am a postdoctoral fellow in pediatric neuropsychology at a group practice in southern California. The LEAD program helped me by enhancing my understanding of effective leadership practices, particularly in fostering engagement, inclusion, and innovation within my team. I'm looking forward to applying new skills in prioritizing diverse perspectives, managing meetings more effectively, and creating a collaborative environment that drives success. I love playing beach volleyball most weekends and enjoy long-distance running. These activities help me stay active and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
 

Laura Winstone-Weide

I finish my fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at UT Austin Dell Medical School/ Dell Children's Medical Center at the end of June and have accepted a faculty position at Phoenix Children's to begin in August. My participation in the NAN LEAD program afforded me the opportunity to meet many wonderful early career neuropsychologists from across the country. The topics covered and expertise of the featured guest speakers helped me further develop my leadership style, create a concrete plan for ongoing involvement in advocacy work, and connect with many different organizations that I didn't previously know existed. I will be the only bilingual (Spanish/English) neuropsychologist at Phoenix Children's and would love to connect with other providers and trainees in NAN and beyond who are interested in multiculturalism and/or bilingual assessment!