Executive Director at American Dental Association (ADA)

Founded in 1859, the American Dental Association (ADA) is the premier national organization representing the dental
profession in the United States. With more than 159,000 member dentists, the ADA exists to power the profession of
dentistry and to assist its member in advancing the overall oral health of their patients. Headquartered in Chicago, the
ADA’s mission is to help all members succeed and support the advancement of the health of the public. Its strategic
priorities include advocacy for the dental profession, the development of evidence-based standards, and the promotion
of lifelong learning and professional growth among its members.

As a professional Association, the ADA is committed to serving the needs and interests of its members. As such, the
Association places a high priority on providing members representation and input in the activities of the profession and
the Association. From membership services to education, from licensure to research, the programs and structure of the
ADA are based on member involvement.

Membership in the national organization includes membership in one of the ADA’s 53 state and territory and 545 local
dental societies. A member-run organization, the ADA is managed by an elected Board of Trustees and governed by a
485-member House of Delegates.

The ADA has global influence through its leadership in the FDI World Dental Federation, its support for international
volunteerism and public health initiatives like water fluoridation advocacy, its establishment of the ADA Forsyth Institute
for global health innovation, and its promotion of rigorous standards and research, such as the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

The Association sets the standard for dental practice and ethics nationwide and is a leader in shaping dental policy,
providing trusted information to both professionals and the public, and fostering innovation in dental science and
education. As a respected and influential voice in healthcare, the ADA collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders—
including government agencies, educational institutions, and other healthcare organizations—to drive positive change
and advance the future of dentistry. Through its initiatives, the ADA works to ensure that high-quality oral healthcare is
accessible to communities and that the profession remains at the forefront of healthcare delivery.

The Role

The Executive Director of the American Dental Association (ADA) is responsible for shaping and delivering a strong
value proposition to ADA members, maintaining an unwavering focus on their needs and interests. This leader thinks
strategically and provides visionary, innovative advice to the Board of Trustees, accepting full responsibility and
accountability for the organization's overall performance. The Executive Director effectively assesses and manages
risks, perseveres through significant challenges, and consistently achieves positive results even in the face of adversity.

A core aspect of the role involves building, managing, and motivating a dedicated senior leadership team, inspiring and
empowering ADA employees to achieve high performance and impact through the development of strategic plans and
organizational goals. The Executive Director communicates the strategic plan effectively, gaining buy-in from critical
stakeholders such as the House of Delegates, Councils, Committees, and Commissions, and acts as a leader of change
within the organization.

Integrity, honesty, and servant leadership are fundamental to the Executive Director’s approach, demonstrated through
consistent words and actions. The role requires effective delegation of decision-making to maximize organizational
efficiency and responsiveness to the needs of members, volunteer leadership, and the Board of Trustees. Developing
and maintaining strong, positive relationships with volunteer leaders and Tripartite leadership, as well as with external
oral health advocacy, industry, and stakeholder groups—including the CDC, OSHA, NIH, NIDCR, and foundations—is
essential.

Additionally, and in partnership with the Treasurer and Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees, the Executive
Director is responsible for financial stewardship, anticipating and managing budget expenditures and making
recommendations for adjustments as needed. The role includes implementing business development initiatives to grow
non-dues revenue, always within a well-considered risk-benefit framework.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides strategic vision, oversight and operational focus for a large, diverse, member-based organization,
  identifying actionable priorities, measurable goals and proactive timelines in alignment with the strategic plan
  and directives developed by the Board of Trustees which will ensure the ADA continues to deliver value to its
  members and remains financially well positioned.
• Develops and strengthens the organization’s effectiveness with increased transparency, communication and
  collaboration between the Board, House of Delegates, Councils, Executive Staff, Tripartite and members.
• Promotes an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset by inspiring and supporting creative ideas for new products
  and services that address the most critical needs of ADA members and offer opportunities to expand revenue
  sources.
• Directs and manages the day-to-day operations of the organization in order to achieve attainment of strategic
  and operating goals on an annual basis.
• Through frequent and comprehensive communications, builds and maintains strong relationships with tripartite
  organization and ADA membership. Maintains effective external relationships through frequent and
  comprehensive communication with the leadership of related dental organizations and representatives from
  other leading public and private organizations that interact with the ADA.
• Responsible for the Association's Annual Budget. The Executive Director is a member of the Administrative
  Review Committee that is responsible for the initial preparation and review of the budget for presentation to the
  Board of Trustees.
• Acts as the Secretary to the Board of Trustees and to the House of Delegates. Facilitates the activities of the
  officers and trustees of the Association in carrying out their respective administrative responsibilities under the
  ADA Bylaws. Maintains effective internal and external relationships through frequent and comprehensive
  communication with all officers and trustees of the Association.

Candidate Profile
The American Dental Association (ADA) Board of Trustees is seeking a dynamic, passionate, visionary, and strategically
astute leader capable of guiding a multifaceted, $120 million professional membership, mission-driven not-for-profit
organization. The ideal candidate will possess at least fifteen years of progressive leadership experience within a
similarly sophisticated and complex health care or membership organization, including prior profit and loss responsibility and a strong record of fiscal management, with demonstrated expertise in providing strategic organizational leadership and exceptional interpersonal skills. The candidate will ideally possess an undergraduate degree, with an advanced degree preferred, though this is not required. This individual must be skilled at appreciating and respecting the culture and history of ADA, while also challenging the Association to continue evolving and growing. The successful candidate may come from various backgrounds such as healthcare, association management, public policy and advocacy, and/or academia, and should have senior leadership experience within an organization of comparable complexity, sophistication, and scale. As a curious and forward-thinking leader, this individual will bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm for addressing the challenges associated with delivering quality, comprehensive, and accessible dental care in the 21st century. The ideal candidate will be experienced, results-driven, data-oriented, and decisive, while exhibiting a poised, confident, and energetic presence, with a proven ability to execute a multi-faceted strategy to guide the Association forward and continue meeting the needs of its members during this pivotal period in health care.

With a flexible, nimble, and action-oriented leadership approach, this individual will have demonstrated success in leading through vision, communication, inspiration, and decisive action. The ideal candidate will be a skilled relationship builder, adept at convening and collaborating with diverse stakeholder groups, utilizing an open, direct, and diplomatic communication style to further position the Association as the premier professional membership organization for dental professionals. This individual will have a track record of forging connections and developing relationships across a variety of settings and with diverse constituencies, as evidenced by a broad and deep professional network. The ideal candidate will be capable of serving as an unequivocal ambassador for the organization and the field of dentistry to a wide range of audiences and across multiple platforms, whether speaking on national television or engaging in personal, small-group settings. This individual will be well equipped to lead ADA into its next era of visibility and impact, which will include pursuing innovative products and services and making bold, well-informed decisions to ensure the Association remains well positioned to fulfill its mission.

In terms of the performance and personal competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following:

Setting Strategy

• The ability to create and articulate an inspiring vision for the organization, not only for the areas they are
  directly responsible for, but the enterprise as a whole.
• An entrepreneurial and creative approach to developing new, innovative ideas that will stretch the
  organization and ensure maximum value is provided to ADA members.
• Directs and manages the day-to-day operations of the ADA, ensuring the attainment of strategic and
  operating goals on an annual basis.
• Develops and implements organizational strategies that align with ADA’s vision, mission, and values.
• Scans the environment for trends impacting ADA members, recommending strategic courses of action to the
  Board of Trustees.
• Oversees all strategic planning and initiatives, cultivating organizational growth and resilience.
  Thinks strategically and provides innovative, visionary advice to the Board of Trustees.

Executing for Results

• Drives continuous improvement of organizational performance, setting and reporting on annual performance
  metrics for the ADA.
• Establishes and maintains effective collaboration and relationships at all levels of the Tripartite to ensure
  achievement of organizational objectives.
• Manages and oversees the financial health of the ADA, including responsibility for an annual budget of
  $120M.
• Perseveres through significant challenges, persisting to achieve positive results and overcome adversity
  consistently.
• The ability to set clear and challenging goals while committing the organization to improved performance;
  tenacious and accountable in driving results.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty; the ability to adapt nimbly and lead others through complex
  situations.
• A leader who is viewed by others as having a high degree of integrity and forethought in their approach to
  making decisions; the ability to act in a transparent and consistent manner while always taking into account
  what is best for the organization.

Leading Teams

• Builds, manages, and motivates an effective, dedicated senior leadership team, empowering ADA employees
  towards high performance and results; widely viewed as a strong developer of others.
• Supports a team that challenges decisions, augments their own areas of expertise and provides counsel to
  ensure sound outcomes.
• Inspires, empowers, and motivates staff in the development and execution of strategic plans and
  organizational goals.
• Delegates decision-making appropriately throughout the organization to maximize efficiency and
  effectiveness.
• Ensures smooth transitions and develops succession planning procedures for ADA leadership and senior
  management.
• The ability to persevere in the face of challenges, and exhibit a steadfast resolve and relentless commitment
  to higher standards, which commands respect from followers.
• A leader who is self-reflective and aware of their own limitations; leads by example and drives the
  organization's performance with an attitude of continuous improvement by being open to feedback and self improvement.

Relationships and Influence

• Builds and maintains productive relationships with the House of Delegates, Board of Trustees, councils,
  commissions, state/local dental societies, and all levels of management and staff.
• Maintains effective external relationships with leadership of related dental organizations, public and private
  stakeholders, and agencies such as CDC, OSHA, NIH, NIDCR, and foundations.
• Represents and oversees ADA brand and messaging integrity with external stakeholders to enhance the
  ADA’s reputation and achieve strategic goals.
• Connects and builds strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence and an
  ability to communicate clearly and persuasively.
• Encourages others to share the spotlight and visibly celebrates and supports the success of the team and the
  organization, including professional staff, volunteer leaders, and members.
• Creates a sense of purpose/meaning for the team that generates followership beyond their own personality
  and engages others to the greater purpose for the organization as a whole.

Nominations and Applications
Inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed to: [email protected]. The review of nominations and applications for the position will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled. Qualified and interested applicants should submit a resumé for confidential consideration.

Contact
Stephanie Tomasso
Russell Reynolds Associates
2001 K St NW
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006

Ben Grover
Russell Reynolds Associates
155 North Wacker Drive
Suite 4100
Chicago, IL 60606-1732