Dr. Tess M. Kilwein for
APA Board of Directors
Early Career Psychologist
Governance-ready. Equity-centered.
Grounded in real-world psychological practice.
Dr. Tess M. Kilwein (she/they/Dr.) is a governance-ready early career psychologist bringing applied psychology, rural mental health, and liberatory leadership to APA’s Board of Directors.
I am running for the APA Board of Directors because I believe psychology is at a critical moment. Our field is navigating urgent questions about access, equity, workforce sustainability, public trust, and the role of psychological science and practice in a rapidly changing world.
While I did not initially envision myself seeking this level of APA leadership so early in my career, I have been encouraged by many colleagues I deeply respect and trust to accept the nomination. The more I have reflected on the impact that I — and others who share my values — could have on APA and on the field of psychology more broadly, the more committed I have become to this process.
My campaign centers on strengthening APA’s public trust, advancing applied psychology, elevating rural mental health, defending liberation psychology, and ensuring meaningful early career psychologist representation in APA governance.
Endorsed By
APA Council of Representatives
Boys & Men Caucus
APA Council of Representatives
Culture, Ethnicity, & Justice Caucus
Dr. Kilwein's Campaign Priorities
Applied Psychology
Elevating psychology’s impact in real-world settings, including sport and performance psychology, trauma-informed practice, supervision, consultation, organizational culture, and complex, high-stakes environments.
Public Trust in Psychology
Building trust by ensuring APA leadership reflects the communities psychologists serve and communicates honestly, clearly, and responsibly.
Early Career Psychologist Leadership
Representing current workforce realities, including debt, licensure, reimbursement, burnout, digital care, changing practice models, and the need for meaningful ECP influence in governance.
Rural Mental Health
Increasing visibility, access, training pathways, workforce support, reimbursement advocacy, and leadership representation for rural psychologists and rural communities.
Liberation Psychology
Advancing a psychology that confronts oppression, centers marginalized communities, and supports ethical, evidence-based, identity-affirming care.
Leadership Experience
My leadership has been shaped by service, coalition-building, governance, advocacy, and a willingness to engage complex systems with clarity and care. Existing and previous leadership roles have strengthened my commitment to governance that is transparent, representative, equity-centered, and connected to the real conditions shaping psychologists’ work and communities’ lives. I have served across APA, state, local, and community leadership roles, including:
APA Committee on Rural Health
Past Chair, Current Member
Laramie Reproductive Health Clinic
​Former Board Chair
APA Division 47: Sport & Exercise
Current Member-at-Large, Recently Elected Secretary
City of Laramie Board of Health
​Former Board Member
APA Division 44: Gender & Sexuality
Current Council Representative
Albany County Mental Health Board
​Former Board Secretary
Wyoming State Psychological Association
​Former Council Representative
City of Laramie Police & Community
​Former Appointed Member
APA needs leaders who understand governance and lived realities. Leaders who can think systemically while remaining grounded in the day-to-day experiences of psychologists, trainees, early career professionals, and the communities we serve.
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This moment calls for leadership that is principled, relational, strategic, and courageous. I am running because I believe APA can be a stronger, more accessible, more responsive home for psychologists across the field — and because I believe I can contribute meaningfully to that work.
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As an early career psychologist actively engaged in clinical practice, applied psychology, rural mental health, and APA governance, I bring both fresh perspective and demonstrated readiness. I understand the pressures facing our profession, and I am committed to helping APA meet this moment - together, and with courage.
Why APA BOD, Why Now
Vote Dr. Kilwein for APA BOD
Let's meet the moment together!
Applied Psychology | Rural Mental Health | Liberation Psychology
Strengthening public trust in psychology through representative, ethical, future-focused leadership.
