Main Stage Headline Events

Ignite your curiosity with leaders from psychology and beyond as they explore how the discipline is going all in to solve some of society’s biggest challenges.

You can now watch all the insightful sessions from the APA 2024 Main Stage with our

on-demand option!

Cynthia de las Fuentes, PhD

President, American Psychological Association

Presidential Opening Session

Presidential Programming

8:00-8:50 a.m. PDT

Seattle Convention Center, Arch Building, Ballroom 6BC

Welcome to APA 2024! Grab some coffee and join us as we go all in to kick off APA 2024 with inspiration, including conversations about how psychology can lead the way on the challenge of immigration, a state of the association address by APA's CEO, and inspiration from pioneering researcher Dr Terri Moffat and pioneering public health advocate Dr Antonia Novella, the first female and first Hispanic U.S. Surgeon General.

Mark Standing Eagle Baez, PhD

Assistant Professor, Bemidji State University
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Arthur C. Evans, Jr., PhD

CEO, American Psychological Association
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Alfonso Mercado, PhD

Associate Professor, University of Texas–Rio Grande Valley
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LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER Terrie Moffitt, PhD

Professor of Psychology, King’s College London
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Antonia Novello, MD

Former Surgeon General
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Amanda Venta, PhD

Associate Professor; Director, Youth and Family Studies Lab, University of Houston
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Paula Lamas

Creator and host of the bilingual podcast and radio show, “Power Moment with Paula Lamas”
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The Connection Cure: Combatting the Loneliness Epidemic

9:00-10:20 a.m. PDT

Seattle Convention Center, Arch Building, Ballroom 6BC

CE CREDIT: 1.5

As the U.S. Surgeon General sounds the alarm on the loneliness epidemic, the need for connection has never been greater. Fortunately, psychological research, groundbreaking community initiatives, and innovative therapeutic approaches are reshaping our understanding of loneliness and connection. Discover powerful insights for combatting the documented harms of isolation on physical and mental well-being and walk away with practical strategies for nurturing authentic connections. Harnessing the power of psychological science, we can forge a path towards a more connected, resilient, and healthy world.

Sara Blanchard

MODERATOR
Co-host, Dear White Women Podcast; Author, Flex Mom
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Ramani Durvasula, PhD

Founder and CEO, LUNA Education, Training & Consulting
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Marisa Franco, PhD

Assistant Clinical Professor, University of Maryland
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Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD

Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, & Director of the Social Connection Lab, Brigham Young University
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Amit Sood, MD

Executive Director, Global Center for Resiliency and Wellbeing
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Safeguarding Public Health in the
Misinformation Era

10:00-11:20 a.m. PDT

Seattle Convention Center, Arch Building, Ballroom 6BC

CE CREDIT: 1.5

There’s been a backlash against the very concept of misinformation. Independent researchers who study how to halt it are under attack by activists and advocacy groups. Many social media platforms are scaling back their content moderation programs. Institutions working to stop misinformation and improve health communication are facing lawsuits to halt their work. Health misinformation, in particular, is a global harm with drastic consequences, like disrupting population health efforts and increasing health inequities. This moment calls for psychologists and institutions to push back with the tools that we know are effective, expand funding on ways to counter health misinformation, and launch ambitious efforts to convince social media platforms to counter it.

Dolores Albarracín, PhD

University of Pennsylvania
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Charles Duhigg

MODERATOR
Writer, The New Yorker, Author, Random House
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Tania Israel, PhD

Professor and Associate Dean for DEI, University of California, Santa Barbara
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Briony Swire-Thompson, PhD

Assistant Professor, Northeastern University
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Jay Van Bavel, PhD

Professor of Psychology and Neural Science, New York
University
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Chris Voegeli, PhD

Health Information Integrity Team Lead, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Navigating EDI in the Current Political Landscape

3:00-3:50 p.m. PDT

Seattle Convention Center, Arch Building, Ballroom 6BC

Join us for an insightful fireside chat that tackles the pressing issues shaping our current environment. We will examine the impact of recent events and policies on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives, including anti-EDI legislation, bans on diversity training, and potential threats to EDI practices. Our esteemed guests from various sectors will share their expertise on the power of language in combating misinformation and disinformation. This session goes beyond theory, providing practical advice and actionable recommendations for navigating these complex issues. Whether you are an EDI practitioner, academic, or psychologist advocating for positive change, this fireside chat will equip you with the tools to problem-solve and promote equity and inclusion in today's challenging landscape. This session is a must-attend for anyone committed to building a more equitable and inclusive future in the face of adversity.

Maysa Akbar, PhD, ABPP

MODERATOR
American Psychological Association
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Vannessa Dorantes, MSW

Casey Family Programs
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Gary Howell, PsyD

National Louis University
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William Jahmal Miller, MHA

CommonSpirit Health - Mercy Medical Group
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Megan Mooney, PhD

Independent Practice
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Hideko Sera, PsyD

Morehouse College
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Steve Shih, JD

USAID
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Check out these resources to learn more about speaker Vannessa Dorantes's work:

Casey Family Programs Signature Report 2022

NBC TODAY SHOW segment featuring CT Department of Children and Families

Legislative Report from CT’s Commission on Racial Equity in Public Health

Cracking the Code: Demystifying AI With Psychological Science

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PDT

Seattle Convention Center, Arch Building, Ballroom 6BC

CE CREDIT: 1.5

Artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of psychology, offering unprecedented opportunities for innovation in research, clinical practice, and education. While this "super-disruptive technology" poses challenges, from ethical concerns like equity, manipulation, and harm, to the need for responsible development and application, it also offers hope for meeting unprecedented need and increasing impact and efficacy. Join expert speakers as they explore the evolving relationship between psychology and AI, examining how each field influences, benefits, and will ultimately thrive with cooperation from the other. We'll cut through the hype and demystify this powerful technology, providing you with practical tools and insights to harness its potential in your work and daily life.

Adrian Aguilera, PhD

Associate Professor, UC Berkeley
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Tara Behrend, PhD

John Richard Butler II Professor of Human Resources and Labor Relations, Michigan State University
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Jessica Jackson, PhD

MODERATOR
Counseling Psychologist, Private Practice
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Smriti Joshi, MA, MPhil

Chief Psychologist, Wysa
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Margaret Morris, PhD

Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice; University of Washington
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Ericka Rovira, PhD

United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
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Answering the Call: Taking Action in a World That Needs Psychology

4:00-4:50 p.m. PDT

Seattle Convention Center, Arch Building, Ballroom 6BC

Join APA CEO Dr. Arthur C. Evans, Jr. and APA President Dr. Cynthia de las Fuentes as they spotlight three extraordinary psychologists who are driving the field forward in revolutionary and inspiring ways. These game-changers are translating psychology into strategies and skills that people can use to improve their own lives, taking on thorny issues like hate and bullying and violence in schools, turning research into impactful programs. Discover how these trailblazers are using psychology to drive societal change and inspire action and lead the way to a better world. Let’s end APA 2024 with inspiration and hope.

Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble

Mental Health Expert, Founder of The AAKOMA Project
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Cynthia de las Fuentes, PhD

President, American Psychological Association
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Arthur C. Evans, Jr., PhD

CEO, American Psychological Association
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Dorothy L. Espelage, PhD

William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Tania Israel, PhD

Professor and Associate Dean for DEI, University of California, Santa Barbara
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