Dr. Wendi Williams, President-Elect of the American Psychological Association, brings over two decades of experience as a psychologist, educator, and leadership strategist. Her work helps audiences understand how mental health and leadership intersect, especially for Black women navigating systems not built for their thriving.
Author of Black Women at Work: On Refusal and Recovery and The Majestic Place: The Freedom Possible in Black Women’s Leadership, and creator of the Black Women’s Liberatory Leadership (BWLL) Praxis, Dr. Williams examines how mental health, identity, and leadership shape resilience, recovery, and liberation. Amid growing attention to burnout, racial trauma, and the mental health toll of leadership, she provides timely, research-driven insights that move beyond awareness to action.
You’re the President-Elect of the American Psychological Association. What priorities do you see for psychology in addressing today’s mental health challenges?
Dr. Williams: As President-Elect of the American Psychological Association (APA), I am centering radical wellness in three areas.
• Amplifying psychological work in non-traditional settings for broader impact. Our society urgently needs psychological science and expertise in spaces outside traditional clinics or offices, reaching citizens who might not access these services otherwise.
• Youth-led summits on mental health. Our youth are not just future leaders; they are leading now. We must listen to them, trust their insights, and elevate their voices to guide our efforts in supporting their healthy development and psychological wellness.
• Work and wellness. Workplace well-being has become increasingly elusive. Psychology is uniquely positioned to offer the guidance and leadership needed to support the health and wellness of the American workforce.
What role does culturally responsive leadership play in improving mental health outcomes in schools, workplaces, and communities?
Dr. Williams: Culturally responsive leadership transforms mental health outcomes by centering those experiencing compounded marginalization. When we address the needs of the most vulnerable, we create pathways to wellness for everyone.
This approach makes wellness a strategy, not an afterthought. It means intentionally cultivating spaces for rest, connection, and joy while challenging the systems that cause chronic stress and scarcity. Leaders mobilize resources creatively to meet immediate needs while also advocating for structural transformation that tackles racism, economic inequality, and discrimination simultaneously.
Through this lens, mental health interventions are designed with communities rather than for them, honoring people’s full humanity and cultural identity as essential to healing. Ultimately, culturally responsive leadership redefines wellness as collective liberation that transforms the conditions creating psychological harm in the first place.
Social media and constant news cycles can take a toll on mental health. How can people protect their mental well-being while staying informed?
Dr. Williams: Social media gives us access to information like never before, but with so much content designed to provoke emotion, it can overwhelm the mind. To protect their well-being, people should practice good digital hygiene:
• Be mindful of your usage by engaging consciously instead of scrolling mindlessly.
• Curate your feed with accounts that inspire or uplift you, and unfollow those that drain you.
• Take scheduled breaks by building in digital detox periods to recharge.
• Set app limitations using built-in tools to manage daily use.
• Think before you post and consider the impact of your words.
• Separate personal and professional accounts to maintain balance.
• Stay informed but not inundated by choosing trusted news sources and setting boundaries on when and how often you consume media.
What inspired you to become a psychologist?
Dr. Williams: I wanted to understand why people do the things they do. Growing up in Southern California in the 1990s, during the height of the crack epidemic and gang violence, I saw how those forces shaped families and communities. My father’s addiction and the fear that surrounded our neighborhood inspired me to understand how we could create change.
I came to believe that investing in the health and development of individual community members could transform entire neighborhoods. That belief turned out to align perfectly with psychological theory and practice.
Do you believe in work-life balance? If so, how do you maintain it?
Dr. Williams: I believe in cultivating a full life, where purposeful work is part of a meaningful existence. For me, that means staying grounded in relationships that add value, reading and learning from thought leaders who expand my worldview, and spending time in nature. Hiking under a canopy of trees is one of my favorite ways to restore balance.
Who is your business role model, and why?
Dr. Williams: I deeply admire Thasunda Brown Duckett, President and CEO of TIAA. She provides strong leadership and representation in an industry—retirement finance—where Black women are underrepresented and disproportionately impacted. I appreciate how she uses her platform to educate the public in accessible ways and how authentically she shares her life in social spaces. She embodies excellence with transparency and balance.
Follow Dr. Wendi Williams on Instagram: @drwendiwilliams
Follow Us On Social Media!
