Division 31 President-elect candidate statement
Peter Oppenheimer, PhD
I am honored to stand for election as Division 31’s President. I seek to continue to support our SPTAs to be effective in addressing the challenges they and their members experience in their communities, and in contending with APA. Division 31 can help our SPTAs support their membership through the upcoming years of transition of our profession, civic and governmental disruption.
Serving as President will enable me to pursue an initiative from my presidential platform: APA can assist state provincial and territorial associations (SPTAs) to help students and early career psychologists (ECPs) enter the field of psychology. APA can develop and financially support resources that enable SPTAs to create and sustain educational programs to assist students and ECPs to pursue further education, navigate licensing and find work opportunities that meet their goals. These local resources will often be more accessible and relevant to students and ECPs than those provided at the national level. Students and ECPs will connect with their SPTAs, building collaborative relationships in their local professional communities.
For over 30 years I have worked with APA, Divisions 31 and 42 (Independent Practice), the Rhode Island Psychological Association, the Rhode Island Board of Psychology, the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards and the PSYPACT Commission to support our profession in service of enhancing what psychology and psychologists can do for the public good. I have served Division 31 as Secretary and Council Representative. I have served in the leadership of the Rhode Island Psychological Association since 1996 including serving two terms as President (1998-1999 & 2014-2015). I have been involved in the Rhode Island Psychological Association’s legislative and advocacy efforts since 1991 and led their advocacy program since 1998. Since 2018 I have served as their first Director of Professional Affairs.
Division 31 and our SPTAs have a pivotal role in the future of our profession.
Division 31 Council of Representatives candidate statements
Craig Fabrikant, PhD
I am hoping and looking forward to your vote to become a member of the Council of Representatives for Division 31. This Division is of vital importance to the future of Psychology.
For the last fourteen years I have been very involved in the Florida Psychological Association. In 2023 I was President and I am now the immediate Past-President. Within the Florida Psychological Association, I have held a number of other leadership positions. These have included chairing a number of committees and being a member of others. I was the chair of the Forensic Division and the Child, Adolescent, and Family Division, I also spent two years as Chair of the Broward County Chapters. Over the past number of years as the Ethics Chair and as the Membership Chair. I am also currently a Member at Large for Division 42, Society for Independent Practice.
Prior to coming to Florida, I was in New Jersey. I was an active member of the New Jersey Psychological Association which I joined as a full member in 1984. I am still a member. There are a number of other professional organizations that I have had leadership roles in. I was President of the Florida Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and was Secretary of the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals.
If elected I also intend to continue placing a strong emphasis on DEI. Work in this area starts at the SPTA level. I am looking forward to continuing to serve the Division and all of you as we move forward into the future.
Kamieka O.S. Gabriel, PhD
I am honored to be nominated for APA Council Representative for Division 31. Throughout my career, I have had experiences where I was able to be a voice for psychologists, psychology and SPTAs through advocacy and advisory roles within my state (Georgia) and nationally. These experiences greatly align with Division 31’s mission.
For example, I was president of the Georgia Psychological Association (GPA) at a time when everyone was trying to get back to “normal” post-pandemic. This was a pivotal time when psychologists needed resources to learn how to continue their work in a way that was best for them and the people they served. During this time, I also collaborated with the Legal & Legislative and Membership committees, and Diversity Directorate to create opportunities for connection for many who felt isolated lacking support.
Currently, I am Member at Large of the APA Board of Professional Affairs (BPA), BPA’s Liaison to the Committee of State Leaders, and Division 31’s Liaison to the Committee on Women in Psychology. Along with my work with GPA and APA, I am a licensed psychologist in private practice which has allowed me to have a deepened understanding of a broad range of practice issues.
Therefore, these roles show that I have a strong foundation to represent Division 31 at APA Council. I am passionate about SPTAs, advocacy, and being able to impact the future of psychology and the profession.
Chuck Hollister, PhD 
My name is Chuck Hollister. It is an honor to again be nominated to represent Division 31 on the APA Council of Representatives. My dedication to our state, provincial, and territorial psychological associations (SPTAs), APA, and the broader field of psychology is deeply rooted.
As an APA member, I have served on the Advocacy Coordinating Committee, guiding APA’s advocacy agenda, and the Strategic Plan Update Committee, shaping APA’s future directions and priorities. My work on the Update Committee saw the SPTAs recognized for the first time in the Strategic Plan. I was a central figure in helping secure increased funding from APA for the small state operational grants and SPTA legislative grants for the first time in 17 years. I am a founding member of the National Register’s new SPTA advocacy award along with Division 31’s Diversity Leadership Task Force. Additionally, I contribute to Division 42’s Advocacy Team, which supports psychologists in independent practice. This year, I was elected Council caucus chair for the SPTAs, leading the review of Council items from a SPTA perspective.
After the firing of three senior staff and the reorganization of APA services, I played a pivotal role in facilitating an independent town hall for Council members to voice their concerns and organized a Council discussion in supporting APA to be a more member-driven organization. My ongoing advocacy efforts focus on improved reimbursement for psychologists, promoting social justice, while supporting our SPTAs.
Thank you for considering my candidacy.
Division 31 Member-at-Large candidate statements
David Pascale, PhD 
I am honored to be nominated for the position of Member-at-Large for APA Division 31. Over the past two years, I have served Division 31 as the liaison on LGBTQIA+ issues and chaired the Art Silent Auction in December 2024. These roles have deepened my commitment to advancing the division’s mission through advocacy, financial growth, and member recruitment. I am eager to continue this work by bringing innovative ideas to strengthen Division 31’s financial position and expand its membership.
Beyond my work with Division 31, I have been an active member of my State, Provincial, and Territorial Association (Kentucky) for the past 10 years, serving as a board member, regional representative, convention chair, and advocate for public education. I am also a university professor, and a private practice clinician. My experiences give me a unique and well-rounded understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing SPTAs and their membership, particularly in today’s evolving social and political landscape. I am committed to fostering collaboration, enhancing SPTA resources, and advocacy efforts to ensure that SPTAs remain strong!
I will bring my diverse leadership experience to expand Division 31’s reach, engage members, and strengthen its role in supporting SPTAs. I would be honored to serve in this role and contribute to the Division’s continued success.
Diana Prescott, PhD 
Diana L. Prescott completed her BA at Butler University, PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and predoctoral internship at the Indiana University School of Medicine. She is a licensed psychologist in Indiana and Maine. Prescott directs a rural health consulting practice evaluating and treating women and children. She has developed the integrated behavioral health component of Eastern Maine Medical Center’s pediatric obesity program. Diana has supervised clinical psychology doctoral students at the University of Maine-Orono as an adjunct professor.
Prescott chaired the APA Committee on Rural Health. She received the APAPO Federal Advocacy Award and the Division 31 Heiser Award, and she served on the Committee of State Leaders. In 2023, she was awarded a Presidential Citation for her work in rural health at the APA Grassroots Capitol Hill Fly-In.
She was elected to the APA Council of Representatives, as Member at Large, and Recording Secretary on the Board of Directors. She has volunteered as Federal Advocacy Coordinator for MePA for over 20 years. She participates in the APA Integrated Primary Care and Integrated Specialty Care Advisory Groups.
Prescott has presented internationally on rural integrated care in Milan, Italy; Yokohama, Japan; Porto, Portugal; Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Montreal, Canada; Ljubliana, Slovenia; Brighton, UK; and Prague, Czech Republic. She is serving as Member at Large on the IAAP Board of Directors and Secretary of Professional Practice Division 17. She is devoted to advocacy on the behalf of psychologists and their clients.
Division 31 Treasurer Candidate Statement
Nanci Klein, PhD 
I am honored to be considered for re-election to Treasurer of Division 31. During my past tenure, Division 31 has maintained a balanced budget while being able to fund its important award initiatives, provide financial support for Division 31 representation to attend important APA committees and task forces, and increase compensation to its Executive Director. I have enjoyed a successful and collaborative relationship with the very hands-on and engaged Division 31 Executive Committee, and would be privileged to continue serving as Division 31 Treasurer.
Division 31 Student Representative candidate statement
Christopher Townsend, PhD 
I am honored to submit my nomination for the APA Division 31 Student Representative position. As a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), my academic and professional journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to service, leadership, and advocacy. My background includes prior service as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician in the U.S. Air Force, as well as a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. I have transitioned these experiences into a career dedicated to advancing psychology’s role in serving diverse and high-performing populations.
Currently, I serve as a psychology extern at Malcolm Grow Medical Clinic, where I provide psychotherapy and engage in outreach to military communities. My previous externship at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence deepened my understanding of neuropsychology, particularly in working with military personnel with traumatic brain injury.
Leadership has been central to my career, from mentoring classmates to serving as the APA Division 19 Student Chapter President at USUHS. I am eager to bring this leadership experience to Division 31 to advocate for student members and strengthen collaboration between students and division leadership.
Outside of my professional and academic pursuits, I enjoy traveling with my wife and attending musical theatre performances, which provide a great balance to the demands of clinical training and research.
If selected, I will work to amplify student voices, enhance professional development opportunities, and contribute to Division 31’s mission of advancing state, provincial, and territorial psychological associations (SPTAs).