Diverse Leaders Program

The AOTA Diverse Leaders Program offered the participants or Scholars the opportunity to expand leadership skills and explored current and emerging issues through an inclusive leadership lens. These leader Scholars are critical to guiding the profession in the future, including efforts to attract and engage practitioners from diverse backgrounds. This retired program was a successful launchpad to the re-imagined RISE Pathways Program.

A commitment to support tomorrow's leaders

The AOTA Diverse Leaders Program (DLP) was created to support emerging leaders who reflect the richness and diverse background of the communities served by occupational therapy. Through the DLP, Scholars participated in an accelerated program of leadership education, mentoring, networking, and service to the profession.

2022–2024 DLP Alumni: Leaders in Action

AOTA celebrates the first DLP cohort in a closing ceremony

2022-2024 Diverse Leaders Scholars

The 2022-2024 DLP cohort offered its Scholars the opportunity to learn from experts within and outside the occupational therapy profession and explore current and emerging issues through an inclusive and effective leadership lens. These leader Scholars are critical to guiding the profession in the future, including efforts to attract and engage practitioners.

Dale Coffin, EdD, OTR/L

Dale Coffin, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Stony Brook Chairperson

Dale Coffin is an occupational therapist with more than 30 years of experience in pediatrics, autism, and sensory integration. She has built a career grounded in clinical excellence, leadership, scholarship, and community engagement. Dale has served in higher education since 2012 and is currently the Chairperson of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Stony Brook University, where she provides strategic leadership for entry-level and post-professional doctoral programs.

Her work focuses on curriculum innovation, accreditation excellence, faculty development, and the integration of research, service, and leadership across occupational therapy education. She is actively involved in community-based service learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and research at the local, national, and international levels, with a strong commitment to inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming practice.

Dale is a member of the DEIJAB Committee where she serves as the editor for the Perspectives That Matter in OT monthly column in OT Practice.

In recognition of her sustained contributions to the profession, Dale will be inducted as a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association (FAOTA) April 2026. Outside of her professional roles, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

Christyn Mitchell, MS, MEd, OTR/L

Christyn "Chris" Mitchell, Thomas Jefferson University

Christyn "Chris" Mitchell recently graduated with her Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) degree from Thomas Jefferson University. She will be presenting a short course on her doctoral research at AOTA’S INSPIRE 2026 conference. Chris is currently pursuing her PhD in Health Sciences, having discovered a love for research and using it as a form of advocacy for historically marginalized communities. Chris is currently serving as a program director for the MSOT program at Thomas Jefferson. She continues to utilize the skills, resources, and networks established during her time in the Diverse Leaders Program to support students, faculty, and the occupational therapy profession. She continues to stay actively involved in the Diverse Leaders/RISE program and DEIJAB initiatives.

Letitia Osburn, DHSc, MS, OTR/L

Letitia is an occupational therapist, educator, and academic leader dedicated to advancing the profession through teaching, mentorship, and inclusive leadership. She serves as Assistant Professor and Doctoral Capstone Coordinator in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Alabama State University, where she supports graduate students in developing research, clinical reasoning, and professional leadership skills.

Letitia’s work spans academia, professional development, and service. As a member of the AOTA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIJAB) Committee, she contributes to efforts that broaden representation and cultivate leadership within the field. Her leadership journey includes participation in the inaugural Diverse Leaders Program, a national initiative focused on developing occupational therapy leaders from under-represented backgrounds through mentorship, networking, and professional growth experiences.

Letitia’s commitment to education, equity, and community impact reflects her belief in the transformative potential of occupational therapy to enhance health, participation, and quality of life across diverse populations.

Kathlyn Urdaz, OTR/L, ASDCS

After participating in the AOTA Diverse Leaders Program inaugural cohort, Kathlyn "Kathy" Urdaz has continued to develop her leadership skills and has since received several promotions with her employer, First Step Therapy, LLC, a pediatric therapy company offering services across Central Florida.

Kathy is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist primarily serving as Area Manager and overseeing operations across two multidisciplinary pediatric clinics, eight community-based treatment sites, as well as home health and community-based services in Osceola and Orange Counties. Kathy provides direction and support for a team of over 75 providers, including occupational, physical, speech and language, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) professionals.

Jenny Zhong, COTA/L

Long Term Services and Support Utilization Management Reviewer, AmeriHealth Caritas (PA)

From DLP to RISE Pathways: Evolving to a national initiative to broaden access to OT

The program emphasized the development of leaders to influence the future of occupational therapy (OT) but also ensure that the profession continues to attract, support, and retain practitioners from a wide range of backgrounds and lived experiences. The impact of the Diverse Leaders Program indicated that in addition to providing leadership development and opportunities, the program needed to expand to include awareness and promotion of OT and address barriers to entering the field.

A national expansion rooted in inclusion

The transition from the DLP to RISE Pathways Program represents an expansion of the program charge—to foster an interest in the profession and inspire future generations of occupational therapy practitioners. While the DLP focused on cultivating leadership among practitioners already within the profession, RISE Pathways expands the scope to include:

Future practitioners: Exploring pathway programs for students and individuals to promote a career in OT.

Emerging leaders: Engaging in professional development by identifying, recruiting, and supporting individuals from underrepresented communities. This program complements Scholars' knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities to drive future growth and innovation.

Communities historically underrepresented in the profession: Increasing access and removing barriers to the profession.

RISE Pathways Program

I applied to the DLP program because of my desire to serve as a visual model of possibility for people who believe that achieving acceptance and success in the OT practice field is unattainable. ~ Letitia Osburn, DHSc, MS, OTR/L

Program support provided

Sandra Hoskins Legacy Foundation

The mission of the Sandra Hoskins Legacy Foundation (SHLF) is to provide intentional support for effective charitable nonprofit organizations engaged in projects and activities that are consistent with the philanthropic interests of its founding director, Sandra "Sandy" Hoskins, an occupational therapy practitioner.

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