CEO Arrivals

Dziengelski to lead behavioral health group

The $4M-revenue National Association for Behavioral Healthcare (NABH) has hired Scott Dziengelski as its new president and CEO, the group said in a statement.

Dziengelski brings nearly 20 years of experience in health care policy, advocacy, and coalition-building to NABH. Most recently he served as a consultant with the FDA & Life Sciences team at law and lobbying firm King & Spalding. At the firm, he lobbied Congress and federal agencies including the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on legislative and regulatory issues pertaining to hospitals, drug and device manufacturers, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers.

“Throughout his career, Dziengelski has demonstrated a strong ability to create, communicate, and implement strategic policy initiatives while bringing together diverse stakeholders to advance shared goals,” the association said in its statement. “His deep understanding of federal policy and regulatory processes will be instrumental in advancing NABH's mission to improve access to high-quality behavioral healthcare.”

Dziengelski is also an adjunct fellow at the Manhattan Institute, where he examines policies and regulations affecting individuals with serious mental illnesses and substance use disorders, with a focus on quality, access, and outcomes.

From May 2017 until January 2020, was NABH’s director of policy and regulatory affairs. Before that, he was on the staff of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over healthcare issues.

Dziengelski earned a bachelor’s degree in public policy from American University and a master’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University. 

“NABH plays a vital role in advocating for policies that expand access to high-quality behavioral healthcare,” Dziengelski said in a statement. “I look forward to working with our team, members, policymakers, and partners to address the nation’s most pressing mental health and substance use disorder challenges.”

Mulhall takes the Helm at food association

The $1.5M-revenue Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) has named Marjorie Mulhall as their new executive director. Mulhall previously served as PBFA's senior director of policy before becoming interim executive director in November 2025. 

“Marjorie's appointment as executive director is a natural next step for PBFA. Her deep policy expertise, combined with her understanding of our members and the industry, makes her uniquely positioned to lead this organization through an important moment for plant-based foods,” said board president Nicole Sopko.

Mulhall has spearheaded PBFA's policy portfolio and previously served as executive director of Earthjustice Action. 

Staff Departures

American Physical Therapy Association — Carmen Elliott is leaving her role as acting chief of staff at the $51M-revenue APTA to be president and CEO of the $5.8M-revenue Amputee Coalition, a nonprofit advocating for limb loss patients. Elliott has more than 20 years of association leadership experience. She is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and holds a doctorate in human services in organizational leadership from Capella University, a master’s degree in health care management from Marymount University, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Bowie State University.

National Association of Broadcasters — Kirsten Donaldson has left her vice president of public policy role at the $72M-revenue NAB. Donaldson has joined law firm Holland & Knight as a partner in its public policy and regulation group.

Staff Arrivals 

American Hotel & Lodging Association — Kristen Smith joined $27M-revenue AHLA as vice president of communications. Smith was previously a senior vice president at public affairs firm ROKK Solutions. 

     In addition, AHLA has added Jill Fairchild as senior director of political affairs and Darrell Hugh as director of workgroup operations. 

American Pharmacists Association — Melissa Somma McGivney will join the $41M-revenue American Pharmacists Association as chief of professional and member experience, effective June 1. McGivney has spent the past 24 years at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and currently serves as the associate dean for student success and professional initiatives and professor of pharmacy and therapeutics.

Household & Commercial Products Association — Mike Gruber has been promoted to chief operating officer at the $7M-revenue HCPA. Gruber previously served as executive vice president of government relations and public policy at the organization. 

National Association of Broadcasters — Carrie Healey has joined the $72M-revenue NAB as vice president of communications. She most recently worked at consultant firm Purple Strategies, where she served as a client engagement lead.

National Hydropower Association — Kathleen Robertson has joined the $8M-revenue National Hydropower Association as vice president of regulatory affairs. She most recently served as vice president for special policy projects at the American Clean Power Association.

Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association — Branden Cordeiro has joined the $15M-revenue PPTA as director of government relations. He was most recently public affairs manager at biotech lobbying firm KPM Group DC.

U.S. Travel Association — Ntina Cooper has joined the $36M-revenue USTA as senior vice president of operations. She spent more than two decades at U.S. Customs and Border Protection.