Overview

Governance in APT is exercised exclusively by its Board of Directors, the moral trustee for the professional interests of APT members. It is comprised of ten (10) members, including nine (9) Professional members elected by the Membership and the CEO, who  serves without vote and is employed by the Board.

The Board convenes each February and October and is responsible for scanning the professional environment, identifying change drivers, and approving mission-aligned outcomes.To enhance its vision and effectiveness, it transitioned from a working board to a policy board, adopting the Policy Governance© system. This framework clarifies roles, accountability, and decision-making authority, ensuring a structured, efficient, and transparent governance model.

Professional members wishing to serve on the Board are invited to complete and submit a Director Candidate Questionnaire to APT by March 31.

2025-2026 Board of Directors

Chair
Kristi Perryman, PhD, LPC, RPT-S^TM
Director: 10/20-10/23, 10/23-10/27
Associate Professor
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR     

Past Chair
Rebeca Chow, PhD, LCPC, RPT-S^TM 
Director: 10/20-10/23, 10/23-10/26
Clinical Director of Counseling Services      
Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, KS   

Chair Elect
Edward "Franc" Hudspeth, PhD, LPC, RPT-S^TM
Director: 10/22-10/25, 10/25-10/28
Program Coordinator & Clinical Associate Professor
University of Mississippi, University, MS

Secretary
Mandi Meléndez, LMFT-S, LPC-S, RPT-S^TM   
Director: 10/25-10/28
Private Practice, Cedar Park, TX 

Laura Fazio-Griffith, PhD, LPC-S, LMFT, RPT-S^TM   
Director: 10/25-10/28
Associate Professor
Southeastern Louisiana University,Baton Rouge, LA

Elizabeth Kjellstrand Hartwig, PhD, LMFT-S, LPC-S, RPT-S^TM
Director: 10/20-10/23, 10/23-10/26
Professor, Professional Counseling Program
Texas State University, San Marcos, TX

Sueann Kenney-Noziska, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S^TM
Director: 10/24-10/27
Private Practice
Play Therapy Corner, Las Cruces, NM

Julie Nash, PhD, RPT-S^TM
Director: 10/23-10/26
Owner
Riverside Psychological Associates, LLC, Centerbook, CT

Kim Vander Dussen, PsyD, LP, RPT-S^TM
Director: 10/19-10/22, 10/22-10/26
Professor, Clinical Psychology, PsyD Program
The Chicago School - Anaheim, Placentia, CA

President & CEO

Kathryn Lebby, MS, CAE, CMP

Director (non-voting)

Association for Play Therapy, Clovis, CA