Dr. Debra Kawahara

Dr. Debra M. Kawahara is the 2025 President of the American Psychological Association (APA). She also serves as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Distinguished Professor at the California School of Professional Psychology, and as the Executive Director of the Illumination of Mindfulness Institute at Alliant International University.

Known as a multicultural feminist scholar, her work focuses on intersectionality, leadership, women’s issues, Buddhist psychotherapy, and the application of social justice principles. She is widely published and has presented extensively. Her previous leadership roles include serving as a member-at-large on the APA Board of Directors, a representative to the APA Council of Representatives (COR), a member of the APA Finance Committee, an Advisory Committee member for the Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology, an APA Divisions on Social Justice representative, Lead Coordinator of the National Multicultural Conference & Summit, and a delegate for the National Council of Schools and Programs in Professional Psychology. She has also served as Editor-in-Chief for the journal Women & Therapy.

Dr. Kawahara is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Asian American Psychological Association. In recognition of her work, she has received several awards, including an APA Presidential Citation and the Shining Star Award at the National Multicultural Conference & Summit.