Celebrating a Decade of the AAN’s Diversity Leadership Program
October 21, 2024
Initially conceived by the AAN Leadership Development Committee in response to a recognized lack of diversity within the Academy’s leadership and the need for change, the Diversity Leadership Program (DLP) has evolved over the past 10 years into a cornerstone of the Academy’s commitment to inclusivity and excellence.
Developed in 2014 and launched a year later, the DLP sought to fill the representation gap in leadership at the AAN to adequately reflect members and the communities they serve. It did this by first identifying and then engaging high-potential AAN members from underrepresented neurology groups and offering them an immersive experience within the AAN, coupled with top-quality, comprehensive leadership development training that mirrored that of the already successful AAN Emerging Leaders Program. The goal was to ensure that participants received the same caliber of preparation to excel in their careers.
Over the past decade, the program has grown to provide underrepresented member participants with unparalleled opportunities for professional development. In fact, no other program in the country matches the DLP’s caliber of all-expenses-paid leadership development opportunity that incorporates training, personalized coaching and mentoring tailored specifically for underrepresented neurology groups. To date, more than 100 graduates of the program have gone on to do great things in the field of neurology, their communities, and at the AAN, including assuming pivotal leadership roles within the organization. Currently, 43 graduates hold positions on an AAN subcommittee, committee, or Board of Directors, bringing diverse perspectives that enhance the quality and inclusivity of the Academy and neurological care.
As we celebrate this 10-year milestone, we reflect on the progress made and the future possibilities. The AAN’s Diversity Leadership Program stands as a testament to the power of inclusive leadership and how essential diversity is to an organization’s success—and is one of the many bold AAN initiatives to fulfill its mission of enhancing member career fulfillment and promoting brain health for all.
Reflections from Graduates
This anniversary is not just a celebration of a program, but of the leaders it has cultivated. In celebration, these DLP graduates reflect on their experiences with the Diversity Leadership Program and its transformational impact on their lives.
“Participating in the DLP was a deeply transformative experience for me. One of the most personally rewarding aspects of my program participation has been witnessing its direct contribution to my leadership trajectory, within the AAN, at my institution, and in the field of neurology more broadly. Over the past decade, I've also seen many of my classmates evolve into influential leaders, impacting not just the AAN's diversity and inclusion mission but the organization as a whole. I think this reflects a valuable evolution in the program’s philosophy: diverse leaders aren’t just contributors to diversity initiatives—they enhance every facet of organizational leadership. My advice to those considering the program is to fully engage with the network of leaders that the DLP and other AAN leadership programs offer, bring your authentic self and your leadership challenges to the program, and commit to leveraging the personal and professional growth opportunities the program provides. I'm immensely proud to be part of this thriving and inclusive leadership community.”
— Roy H. Hamilton, MD, MS, FAAN
2017 Diversity Leadership Program graduate
Recipient, 2023 好色先生 Changemaker Award
Vice Dean for Inclusion Diversity and Equity at the University of Pennsylvania
"Participating in the DLP has been transformative in my journey toward advancement in academic medicine and medical education leadership. The program not only equipped me with the leadership skills to successfully navigate the complexities of leadership transition management, but it also gave me the tools to advocate for diversity and inclusion at every level of advancement to Clinical Professor and Senior Associate Dean of Medical 好色先生 at Stanford. The relationships I’ve cultivated within my cohort have been equally invaluable. Together, we champion each other’s growth, fostering a collaborative spirit that has extended far beyond the program. I have gained both the knowledge and the network necessary to impact academic neurology meaningfully as well as ensure that diverse voices are heard in shaping its future."
— Reena Thomas, MD, PhD
2019 Diversity Leadership Program graduate
Recently appointed to Senior Associate Dean for Medical 好色先生 at Stanford Medicine
“Participating in the DLP was integral to developing and refining my leadership skills. In this program, I was introduced to the concept of authentic leadership and leading with transparency and authenticity. I realized that during most of my experiences as a person from a diverse background, my goal was to ‘fit in.’ I was always trying to integrate myself as ‘the black male.’ In the DLP, I realized that those things that make us unique are the things that set us apart as leaders. Those unique experiences add value and innovation to groups, ideas, and situations. That program taught me that I must bring my whole self to the table.”
— Richard T. Benson, MD, PhD, FAAN
2016 Diversity Leadership Program graduate
Director of the Office of Global Health and Health Disparities at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
“The DLP was a transformative experience I will always cherish. It offered the opportunity to work with phenomenal neurologists across the US, engage in impactful professional coaching with the ever-amazing Joanne Smikle, develop a proposal of meaning to the AAN, and engage with the AAN Board of Directors. I highly recommend this opportunity!”
— Nicte Itzel Mejia Gonzalez, MD, MPH, FAAN
2018 Diversity Leadership Program graduate
Participant, Obama Foundation’s inaugural 2023-2024 Leaders USA program
Explore AAN Leadership Programs
Applications for the DLP will reopen in Spring 2025. Learn about the AAN’s nine leadership programs, which have various application periods throughout the year.