A BOLD initiative

Leadership Development Certificate Workshop

The AOTA Leadership Development Certificate Workshop is a leadership training initiative designed to prepare occupational therapy practitioners for leadership roles within the profession and the Association.

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A BOLD step in empowering occupational therapy leaders

The Leadership Development Certificate Workshop (LDCW) curriculum is guided by the BOLD Framework: Belonging, Opportunities, Leadership, and Development for the future, ensuring that participants gain the skills, networks, and support necessary to grow as leaders while contributing meaningfully to the occupational therapy profession. Through this framework, LDCW cultivates inclusive engagement, creates pathways for professional advancement, empowers emerging leaders, and supports ongoing personal and professional development.

Meet the 2026 LDCW Cohort

Congratulations to the 2026 Leadership Development Certificate Workshop Cohort. We celebrate your achievement and are excited to see the leadership, innovation, and collaboration you will bring to this journey.

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Therapy Program Coordinator & OT, School Based Practice

Alison Alexander

MOT, OTR/L

Owner & Founder, Community based program

Tamara Antonino

OTD, OTR/L

OT Manager, non-profit pediatric setting

Alex Arguelles

OTD, OTR/L, SWC

Associate Professor & Doctoral Capstone Coordinator

Angela Blackwell

PhD, OTR

OTA Program Director

Celina Casas

OTR, OTD

Founder & Clinical Director

Jane Cranston

OTR-MOT, BCP, CNT, NTMTC

Occupational Therapist, Early Intervention

Anna Fung

OTD, MOT, OTR/L

Associate Professor

Jacob Greenfield

EdD, OTD, OTR/L, ATRIC, CSRS, CSOT, CBIS

Director in Training

Danielle Griffin

MS OTR/L, BCP, CKTP, CEIM

OT Education Coordinator, Acute Care

Colleen Hogan

OTD, OTR/L

Advanced Clinical Specialist OT, Adult In-patient Rehabilitation Hospital

Priyanka Kapoor

OTR, BCPR, CSRS

Senior OT, Acute Oncology Rehabilitation

Marlon Leiva-Lopez

MOT, OTR/L

Assistant Professor

Mei-Ling Lin

Ph.D., OTR

Program Director

Emily Lorang

MHA, COTA/L

Chief Operating Officer, Community Mental Health

Kailin Lust

OTD, OTR/L

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OTA Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

Alisha McDonald

BS, COTA/L

Assistant Professor & Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

Alisha Myers

MSOT, OTR/L

Academic Fieldwork Coordinator & Pediatric Clinician, University and Preschool setting

Irma Pereira-Hudson

OTD, OT/L, CFWE

Assistant Director, Assistive Technology Community Engagement

Alanna Raffel

OTD, OTR/L

COTA/L, Pediatric Outpatient Setting

Ashley Robertson

COTA/L, C-AAT, CFVRS

Fellowship Director, Education Coordinator, Clinical OT, outpatient rehabilitation

Colton Sayers

OTD, OTR/L, CNS

Assistant Professor, Professional Practice & Doctoral Capstone Coordinator

Crystal Smith

OTD, OTR, DipACLM, PNAP

Assistant Professor

Ashley Tetrick

OTD, MS, OTR/L

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Associate Professor & Owner, Private Practice

Andrea Thinnes

OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, FNAP, PMH-C

OT Clinical Leader, Outpatient Pediatrics

Emily White

MS, OTR/L, BCP

Workshop Instructors

The Leadership Development Certificate Workshop (LDCW) is facilitated by occupational therapy and AOTA volunteer leaders who bring expertise in leadership development, advocacy, ethics, inclusion, organizational governance, and professional practice. LDCW workshop instructors will guide participants through the BOLD Framework (Belonging, Opportunities, Leadership, and Development) using interactive learning experiences designed to build confidence, competence, and leadership capacity.

Halley Read, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

AOTA Board of Director

Andre Johnson, OTR/L, ROH

AOTA Board of Director

Alanna Raffel, OTD, OTR/L
Assistant Director
Assistive Technology Community Engagement

Connecting people, advancing access, transforming lives

Through these experiences and the support of the BOLD Leadership Development Certificate Workshop, I hope to continue to develop the skills needed to lead large-scale national and international initiatives that advance access to assistive technology. I am eager to strengthen my ability to lead collaborative initiatives and apply what I learn to expand engagement in the groups I facilitate by creating new opportunities for connection among occupational therapists, AT specialists, and organizations at regional, national, and international levels.

Program overview

Through the BOLD framework, LDCW cultivates inclusive engagement, creates pathways for professional advancement, empowers emerging leaders, and supports ongoing personal and professional development.

Aligned with the BOLD Framework, the LDCW aims to:
- Belonging: Foster an inclusive and collaborative professional environment where emerging leaders feel welcomed, valued, and connected to the occupational therapy community.
- Opportunities: Provide meaningful experiences that connect participants with professional networks, mentorship, and leadership pathways within the profession.
- Leadership: Strengthen participants’ ability to lead within professional organizations, healthcare systems, and practice settings.
- Development: Equip practitioners with tools, knowledge, and guidance to support both personal and professional growth throughout their leadership journey.
Workshop

The Workshop is a 1.5-day event hosted at AOTA’s National Headquarters in Bethesda, MD.

The Workshop curriculum focuses on introducing critical leadership competencies, including:
- Leadership styles and self-assessment
- Strategic thinking and decision-making
- Advocacy and policy in healthcare
- Communication and conflict management
- Belonging and equitable access in leadership
- Professional ethics and accountability
- Inclusive community building
Mentorship

Participants are paired with experienced leaders who provide guidance, professional insight, and support for leadership development over a 9-month period. Mentors will be recruited from AOTA leadership bodies. Regular mentor–mentee meetings strengthen professional relationships and reinforce the development pillar of the BOLD framework.

Networking & Professional Engagement

Participants engage with the broader professional community through:
- Opportunities to connect with leadership committees or professional groups
- Service in the mentee role of key association governance groups
Commitment
- 1.5 day - The Workshop is a 1.5-day event hosted at AOTA’s National Headquarters in Bethesda, MD in fall 2026 focusing on critical leadership competencies.
- 9 months - Participants are paired with experienced leaders who provide guidance, professional insight, and support for leadership development over a 9-month period.
- Cohort - 25 eligible practitioners will be selected.
The Leadership Development Certificate Workshop's deliverables reinforce the program’s commitment to belonging, opportunity, leadership, and ongoing development.

Program success is evaluated through:
- Leadership competency assessments
- Mentor feedback
- Participant reflection and growth reports
Expected outcomes include:
- Increased leadership readiness
- Expanded professional networks
- Greater engagement in professional initiatives
- Development of future leaders who will advance the profession through the BOLD framework principles.

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Financial support of LDCW participants

Support for LCDW participants is made possible by the generous support of The Sandra Hoskins Legacy Foundation, Inc, and will cover the in-person workshop.

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About

Alison Alexander

Tamara Antonino

Alex Arguelles

Angela Blackwell

Celina Casas

Jane Cranston

Anna Fung

Jacob Greenfield

Danielle Griffin

Colleen Hogan

Priyanka Kapoor

Marlon Leiva-Lopez

Mei-Ling Lin

Emily Lorang

Kailin Lust

Alisha McDonald

Alisha Myers

Irma Pereira-Hudson

Alanna Raffel

Ashley Robertson

Colton Sayers

Crystal Smith

Ashley Tetrick

Andrea Thinnes

Emily White

Halley Read, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Andre Johnson, OTR/L, ROH

Purpose

Structure & Format

Program Commitment

Program Outcomes