AJP Executive Committee & Board Members
Beth N. Rom-Rymer, Ph.D.
Co-Founder and President
Dr. Rom-Rymer has been a pioneer throughout her life. She was in the first class of women undergraduates at Princeton University (Class of ’73); created the first Victim-Witness Assistance Unit, Florida’s 2nd District State Attorney’s Office; co founded/became the first Board President of Refuge House, a shelter for domestic violence survivors, Tallahassee, Florida, 1977 1979. Dr. Rom-Rymer helped to create the field of forensic geriatrics in 2000; taught at several Universities, in the Departments of Psychiatry, including The University of Chicago and Northwestern University. Dr. Rom-Rymer led the 2014 successful Illinois legislative Movement for Psychologists’ Prescriptive Authority; continues to implement Prescriptive Authority legislation in Illinois; consults with State Psychological Associations, nationwide, and with international psychologist leaders, on legislative advocacy campaigns.
Dr. Rom Rymer is President of the Illinois Association of Prescribing Psychologists (IAPP) and the newly-formed Association of Jewish Psychologists (AJP). She has also had a long history of APA and SPTA governance, including President of Division 55 (Prescribing Psychology), Division 56 (Psychology of Trauma), and the Illinois Psychological Association. She has been President and Chair of the National Register for Health Psychologists; a member of the APA Board of Directors; and Chair of the APA Council Leadership Team. Dr. Rom-Rymer has received numerous awards for her work, including: "Distinguished Illinois Psychologist"; from the Illinois Psychological Association (2012, 2014), "Outstanding Service to the Community"; from the Princeton University Club of Chicago (2013); "Outstanding Psychologist of the Year"; from the APA's Division 31 (2014); APA Presidential Citation for Outstanding Leadership (2015); APA Karl Heiser award for Legislative Advocacy (2015); Alfred M. Wellner, Ph.D. Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Register of Health Service Psychologists (2016); Outstanding Psychologist Award from the Illinois Psychological Association (2016 and 2017); Social Impact Leaders Award from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (2018); "Outstanding Leadership" Award from AMITA Health (Ascension) Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital CEO, Clayton Ciha (2019); Inspirational Leader Award from the South African Psychological Society (2021); and “Honored Valued Ally” from the Society of Indian Psychologists (2022). Dr. Rom-Rymer is completing a book, to be published by APA Press, The Revolution in Healthcare: How Prescribing Psychologists are Changing the Healthcare Delivery System and is running for APA President-elect in 2024.
Steven Stein, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Vice President
Steven Stein is a clinical psychologist and the Founder and Executive Chair of Multi-Health Systems (MHS), a leading psychological assessment developer and publisher. He is a Past President of the Ontario Psychological Association, Past Chair of the Psychology Foundation of Canada, and a Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association. He was previously an Assistant Professor in the Psychiatry Department at the University of Toronto and Adjunct Faculty in the Psychology Department at York University.
He currently teaches at the Directors College, part of DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. He is a Past President of the Board of the Jewish Family and Child Service of Greater Toronto. He is also the psychologist consultant for dozens of reality TV shows and is involved in casting/pre-screening, pre-production preparation, on-call cast support, debriefing, and postproduction care. In his spare time, he plays the saxophone in a jazz-rock band in and around Toronto.
Shayna E. Davis, Ph.D.
Secretary of the Board
Dr. Shayna E. Davis earned her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Florida State University and her master's and doctorate in clinical psychology from Alliant International University/California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego, CA. Dr. Davis has worked as a clinician within various populations in clinical inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as a variety of forensic settings. Dr. Davis was awarded Outstanding Doctor of Psychology for her research on the exploration of interpersonal violence during teenage motherhood based on the neurobiological theories of attachment and the use of infant massage as an assessment tool and intervention technique.
Since October 7th, Dr. Davis has made it her mission to educate, support and combat antisemitism. Whether it is through activism, professionally/academically or philanthropically, Dr. Davis believes the intersection of each area is critical in maintaining safety and security for the Jewish people.
Dr. Davis is most active with the San Diego Jewish Federation, the JCC, AIPAC and fundraising for political campaigns locally and nationally. Dr. Davis is a co-chair of her community’s Israel Engagement Committee which focuses on bridging a connection between Jews in the Diaspora with Israel. She most recently was selected to lead a San Diego-based cohort in the upcoming World Zionist Congress Campaign.
Dr. Davis’s proudest accomplishment is being the mother of four young children and having the privilege of raising them at home as the CEO of Schreib Tribe, Inc. In her spare time, she loves traveling with her family, watching her children play sports and dance, hot yoga, paddle boarding and enjoying a beautiful beach day with her husband of 25 years. She always has her sweet golden retriever, Roshi, by her side.
Dr. Lenore E. Walker, Ed.D.
Co-founder and Treasurer
Dr. Lenore Walker is a licensed psychologist and Professor Emerita from Nova Southeastern University’s College of Psychology. She is a trauma psychologist who has developed evidence-based treatment programs for those experiencing gender-based interpersonal violence. Her research on battered woman syndrome has been accepted for expert testimony in courts around the world.
She has provided advocacy and knowledge to local, U.S. and other governments, including Israel, in developing policies for those who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment and trafficking. She has authored over 25 professional books and numerous articles. Her passion is writing mystery novels. To learn more about Dr. Walker, visit her webpage, www.drlenoreewalker.com.
Ester Cole, Ph.D., C. Psych.
Director
Dr. Ester Cole, C. Psych. (Retired) was a psychologist in private practice until April, 2024. At the Toronto Board of Education she was a Senior Team Coordinator of psychologists. Her work has focused extensively on the development of multicultural, clinical and school psychology broad services. She taught as an adjunct professor ( graduate level) at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education/ UT, and at York University. She was a multi-year consultant to the former NGO, The International Children’s Institute, which supported the adjustment of refugee and immigrant children in schools. Dr. Cole has written and co-authored numerous research and advocacy articles in recognised journals and professional publications; served on editorial boards, has contributed to several manuals, and has co- edited books. She is the recipient of several Awards of Merit.
Dr. Cole has lectured in several countries, and has been a member/advisor of various committees and task forces focusing on mental health program development for children and youth. She was the President of the Canadian Association of School Psychologists, and Chair of the Psychology Foundation of Canada (PFC, currently on both its Advisory and Program Committees). Dr. Cole was President of the Section on Psychology in Education (OPA, currently on Council), and President of the Ontario Psychological Association . She was also the President of the Canadian Register of Health Service Psychologists. At OPA, she was chair-Disaster Response Network , and the Canadian Representative on the APA/DRN Advisory Committee . She is a CPA Fellow, a member of the Doctoral Accreditation Site Visit Teams, and member of its Committees: Professional Affairs, and Human Rights and Social Justice. She is a member of the CJSP editorial board. Past College of Psychologists of Ontario committees: Registration and Client Relations. At APA ( to 2021): Council of Representatives (was also member of CDWG, Caucus effectiveness WG; Civility WG ), and an elected member of the Board of Professional Affairs . Dr. Cole was a member of the EDI-Collaborative, and an executive member of the Police and Citizens WG. She is an elected member to the APA Commission for the Recognition of Specialties and Subspecialties in Professional Psychology (CRSSPP, 2022-2024).
Sarah L. Friedman, Ph.D.
Director
Dr. Sarah L. Friedman is a developmental psychologist with MA degree from Cornell University, Ph.D. from the George Washington University and post-doctoral training at the National Institute of Mental Health. She held positions at the National Institutes of Health (NIMH;NICHD), National Institute of Education (predecessor of the Institute of Education Sciences) and the CNA Corporation (a research and analysis non profit organization). At present, she is a Research Professor at the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, the George Washington University. Her past scientific papers and edited books address a wide range of topics in the area of child development. These include (a) the effects of preterm birth on cognitive, educational and social development of children; (b) the interface of brain, cognition and education; (c) the development of planning skills; (d) longitudinal follow-up research strategies; (e) environmental influences on psychological development; (f) child care and children’s psychological and health development and (g) communication between deployed parents and their children. A list of her publications can be found on the National Library of Medicine's website. She currently serves on the editorial board of two scientific journals and previously served on the editorial board of two other scientific journals. She authored US Government solicitations for research in areas of her expertise, oversaw a large grant portfolio, presented extensively at national and international conferences, was interviewed by newspapers, radio and TV, nationally and internationally.
Distinctions include:
- Fellow – Association of Psychological Science (1991 to present)
- NIH Merit Award "for exceptional leadership in managing the National
Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child" (1993) - Fellow - The American Association of Applied and Preventive Psychology
(1995 to present) - Fellow - American Psychological Association (1996)
- NIH Merit Award “for your outstanding leadership in the development of the
program of research being conducted in Phase II of the NICHD Study of
Early Child Care” (1996) - Fellow—Division 7—Developmental Psychology—of the American
Psychological Association - Advisory Board of Child Research Net(work), c/o Benese Corporation,
Tokyo, Japan (2001 to present) - Fellow-Division 1--Society for General Psychology (2003)
- American Psychological Association (APA) Meritorious Research Service Commendations (2003)
- Scientific and Policy Advisory Group, Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (2006)
- Scientific Advisory Board, Military Child Education Coalition. (2010 to present
- Fellow - Division 33---Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities---of the American Psychological Association (2011-to present)
- American Psychological Association (APA) Division 7 (Developmental) Executive Committee (2016-2017; 2019-2021; 2023-)
- American Psychological Association (APA) Member of Council (2016-2017; 2019-2021; 2024-)
- American Psychological Association Division 1 (Society for General Psychology) President Elect (August 2019-August 2020); President (August 2020-August 2021); Past President (August 2021-August 2022)
Daniel Burston, Ph.D.
Board Member
Daniel Burston, Ph.D. received his doctorate in Psychology from York University in Toronto and is an Emeritus Professor and former Chair of Psychology at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.
He is a historian of the mental health disciplines, whose books and articles dwell on the areas where psychology, psychoanalysis and psychiatry converge, overlap and intersect with religion, philosophy and politics.
His books include The Legacy of Erich Fromm (Harvard University Press, 1991), The Wing of Madness The Life and Work of R.D.Laing (1996), Erik Erikson and the American Psyche: Ego, Ethics and Evolution (Jason Aronson, 2007), A Forgotten Freudian: The Passion of Karl Stern (Karnac, 2016), Psychoanalysis, Politics and the Postmodern University (Palgrave MacMIllen, 2020) Antisemitism and Analytical Psychology: Jung, Politics and Culture (Routledge, 2021).
Mary G. Hardiman, MA
Board Member
Mary G. Hardiman is a non-profit professional in Washington, DC, with a proven record of accomplishment in advancing collaborations, innovative solutions, and continuous quality improvement. She provides valuable advice and expertise to client organizations and networks and is an expert in strategy, governance and administration, policy development, and implementation. Her commitment to advancing the mission and driving positive change has earned her a reputation as a trusted, reliable and effective leader in the non-profit sector. Her dedication to fostering growth, inclusion, and belonging within organizations is evident, as she consistently strives to mentor others and create environments where everyone can thrive.
Her career spans a range of industries, showcasing versatility and adaptability. For 18 years, as a Director, budget manager, and staff liaison for the American Psychological Association, she provided substantive expertise and strategic support to key governance and advisory groups. In these roles, she also provided policy know how and strategic insights to a variety of task forces and working groups engaged in the development of guidelines and policy for the professional practice of psychology in alignment with the organization’s strategic plan. She managed several health-related affiliations, including the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, and networked extensively across the Association and its membership to encourage strong engagement and input.
For three decades, as a Director and in prior roles, she provided strategic insights and expertise to advance the organizing, bargaining, and leadership development goals of one of the largest labor organizations in the US and Canada. Much of this work resulted in successful programs and outcomes, multi-year collaborations, significant grant awards, substantial travel, and interface with leaders and members in cities, states, and provinces across North America. These efforts were enhanced by Mary’s extensive networking and advisory roles with nonprofits, labor studies centers, and labor organizations across North America.
She is particularly proud of her collaborations and deep work to advance psychology and workplace rights to benefit society and improve lives, and move forward with education, training, and strike relief, recovery/resettlement of those impacted by war, political violence, and natural disasters, nonprofit arts programming to achieve social change, recruitment of women/girls for non-traditional careers, and employment upon release for non-violent offenders in the metro area, among others.
Mary earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and a Master of Science (MS) degree from George Mason University’s Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (ICAR, now the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution). For four decades, she has held leadership and volunteer roles in nonprofit and community organizations in Washington, DC and across the US. She has held multiple faculty appointments and guest lectured at a variety of universities, colleges, and labor studies centers, affording her with further opportunities to educate, train, engage, and collaborate with students, professors, activists, and colleagues. Mary is currently working as a consultant, objective reviewer, and writer/editor. Among her interests, are democracy and governance, advocacy and activism, innovation, technology, social media, and AI, health equity, global health, and innovative approaches to complex issues (i.e., war, violence, trauma) and intractable conflict.
James Pann, Ph.D.
Board Member
Dr. James Pann received his B.A. of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin. He obtained his M.S.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling and his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Miami.
He completed his clinical internship at Nova Southeastern University Community Mental Health Center in neuropsychology, behavioral medicine, and adult and child psychotherapy. His postdoctoral fellowship was in pediatric behavioral medicine at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Medical Center. Dr. Pann is a Professor and teaches graduate-level coursework in program evaluation and research methods.
Dr. Pann worked on numerous federally funded projects as lead evaluator and researcher. He is a licensed psychologist in Florida, a published researcher, and an active member of the American Evaluation Association. Dr. Pann actively publishes and presents his research in peer-reviewed journals and at other national academic conferences, respectively, and serves as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Youth Development.
James Packman, BA
Board Member
James Packman is a PhD. student in Princeton University’s Department of Psychology. As a social psychologist, he studies how stereotypes about outgroups perceived as high-status lead to scapegoating and endorsement of conspiracy theories. He received his B.A. in psychology with a certificate in Chinese language and culture at Princeton University (2021). Packman’s research with Professor Susan Fiske and Professor Joel Cooper on measuring and predicting antisemitic stereotypes earned Princeton accolades including the Edward E. Jones Memorial Prize, the Moses Taylor Pyne Honor Prize, the Howard Crosby Warren Senior Prize in Psychology, and the Drucker Prize in Judaic Studies (3rd place). He presented this research as part of an APA Symposium on “The Cure for the Antisemitism Virus” (2024). His ongoing research with Professor Cooper has earned a Princeton University Center for Human Values award and has been published in the Sydney Symposium Series of Social Psychology (2024).
Packman is also a member of the Association of Jewish Psychologists (AJP) research committee. He previously worked as the Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). He served as a research consultant for the ADL’s Centers on Extremism and Antisemitism Research, coordinating studies measuring antisemitic attitudes and behaviors and testing interventions. Prior to working for ADL, Packman worked at Princeton Hillel, the Center for Jewish Life, where he formulated workshops on understanding antisemitism and Jewish identity and inclusion. He continues to deliver these workshops to Princeton University students, faculty, and staff. He was the Frank C. Carlucci ’52 Scholar of the Princeton Scholars in the Nation’s Service Initiative (SINSI).
Leonard Saxe, Ph.D.
Board Member
Leonard Saxe is Klutznick Professor of Contemporary Jewish Studies at Brandeis University where he directs the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies and Steinhardt Social Research Institute. He is a social psychologist interested in the application of social science to policy problems. His current work focuses on American Jewish demography, antisemitism, engagement with Israel, and relationships across religious and ethnic groups. Recently, his program of research has assessed the impact of antisemitism on Jewish college students and how to develop policies and programs to address anti-Jewish/Israel hatred. He is the author/co-author of nearly 400 publications, including books about the impact of Birthright Israel and the Jewish summer camping.
He has been a Congressional Science Fellow and a Fulbright Professor at the University of Haifa. He has received the American Psychological Association’s Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest (early career) and is also the recipient of the Association for the Scientific Study of Jewry’s Sklare Award for his contributions to the understanding of Jewish life.
Richard Kagan
Board Member
Richard Kagan, Ph.D., provides training and consultation on traumatic stress and complex trauma therapy and serves as a trainer for the Complex Trauma Treatment Initiative at Adelphi University’s Institute for Trauma Training and Treatment. He is the author of 12 books & 35+ articles, chapters & papers on practice and research issues in trauma therapy, child welfare, foster care, adoption, training implementation and quality improvement.
Dr. Kagan’s books include the Real Life Heroes Life Storybook, the Real Life Heroes Toolkit for Treating Traumatic Stress in Children and Families, Rebuilding Attachments with Traumatized Children; Healing from Losses, Violence, Abuse, and Neglect, The Hero’s Mask novel, The Hero’s Mask Guidebook, and Wounded Angels; Inspiration from Children in Crisis. Dr. Kagan’s publications & training programs highlight practical approaches to help therapists and programs engage with children, adolescents & parents/caregivers with complex trauma and to help children and families rebuild attachments, strengthen resilience and reduce traumatic stress.
He has had leadership experience in child and family services as director of professional development, QI, research, and psychological services at Parsons Child and Family Center and principal investigator for two National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) grants. Dr. Kagan co-led development of the NCTSN curriculum, Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Traumatic Stress, as co-chair and founder of the Resource Parent Committee and served on the NCTSN Steering Committee, the NCTSN Affiliate Advisory Group, the NCTSN Trauma-Informed Organizational Assessment Advisory Group, the NCTSN Child Welfare Steering Committee, the NCTSN Complex Trauma and Child Welfare Committees and the Complex Trauma Treatment Network Advisory Group.
He is currently leading NCTSN’s Guiding Stars project to increase and sustain engagement of youths and parents/caregivers who have experienced Complex Trauma/DTD. Further information about Dr. Kagan’s publications, training programs and professional experience can be found at www.reallifeheroes.net.
Abigail "Abi" Weissman, Psy.D.
Board Member
Dr. Abigail "Abi" Weissman, (they/she) is a queer enby (nonbinary) and female Jewish California Psychologist and Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist (MHP-500). They is the founder of Waves, A Psychological Corp., a San Diego, CA-based group practice whose mental health providers center on LGBTQI+ mental health. They also have a focus on providing neurodiversity-affirming care. Dr. Weissman provides EMDR, yoga, and talk therapy, supervision, consultation, and educational services. Dr. Weissman also maintains Waves’ Continuing Education program whose courses are approved by the American Psychological Association.
In addition, they work as Lecturer II in the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science at the University of San Diego. Dr. Weissman has authored a chapter in Liberating Gender for Jews and Allies: The Wisdom of Transkeit (2023) based on their dissertation research on working with trans-Jews. They received their PsyD from Argosy University and their Master of Arts in Human Sexuality Studies from San Francisco State University with a focus on lesbian gender identity. Their undergraduate degree in sociology, with a concentration in Women’s Studies and as part of the International Studies Stream, was from Clark University in Worcester, MA. They were born in Newton, MA and they left their heart in San Francisco, CA and Granada, Spain, they call San Diego, CA home with their wife and daughter.
