CEO Departures

Blockchain Association CEO to depart after just over a year

The $7 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based Blockchain Association announced Sept. 25 that CEO Summer Mersinger will step down on Oct. 16 but remain an adviser through year end. Kristin Smith, president of the association’s board of directors, will return as interim CEO on Oct. 17. Smith, the founding CEO of the association, will also retain her role as president of the Solana Policy Institute.

The crypto industry failed to get its much sought after CLARITY Act past the objections of Democrats in the Senate on Sept. 15. 

Mersinger joined Blockchain Association in June 2025 after serving as a commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). She brought years of public service to the role, including senior staff positions in both chambers of Congress and years as an adviser to Senate Majority Leader John Thune. 

“Leading Blockchain Association has been one of the great privileges of my career,” said Mersinger. “I came here from the CFTC because I believed this industry deserved clear rules of the road and a credible, unified voice making the case for them in Washington. I’m proud of how far we’ve come together.”

Longtime APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr. to retire 

The $146 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based American Psychological Association (APA) announced that Arthur C. Evans Jr., will retire as chief executive officer of APA and APA Services, Inc., effective Jan. 3, 2028. APA’s board will launch a national search for his successor, with a timeline to be announced shortly. Evans will remain in his post until his contract’s original end date.

“Arthur has grown the APA’s capacity to shape national policy on a wide range of issues important to psychology and to society,” said Wendi S. Williams, APA board chair.

During Evans’ 10-year tenure as CEO, APA’s membership and affiliate base grew from approximately 114,000 to more than 190,000. Evans’ leadership also facilitated expansion in APA’s media coverage by approximately 1,000%, the association said.

CEO Arrivals

PhRMA taps former House majority leader

The $521 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) has named former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor CEO, effective Nov. 9. He succeeds Stephen J. Ubl, who has led PhRMA since 2015.

Cantor brings “decades of experience at the intersection of business and public policy to lead the organization at a pivotal moment for America’s biopharmaceutical industry,” the association said in a statement. 

“Eric is well respected among policy leaders in Washington and around the world, with a long track record of working effectively across the political spectrum to achieve important outcomes that have a lasting impact,” Rob Davis, chairman and CEO of Merck and board chair of PhRMA, said in a statement. 

Cantor represented Virginia in the House from 2000 to 2014, serving as House Majority Leader from 2011 to 2014. Since leaving Congress, Cantor has been as vice chairman and managing director at Moelis & Company, where he advised organizations and executives on business strategy, mergers and acquisitions, public policy, and the global economic landscape.

Executive recruiting firm Russell Reynolds Associates assisted in the search.

Staff Departures

American Osteopathic Association (AOA) — Jake Brennan has left his role as director of congressional affairs at the $36 million-revenue, Chicago-based AOA. He is joining medical equipment company Novocure as director of federal government affairs. 

Business Roundtable (BRT) — Andrew Beilein has his role of vice president of government relations at the $66 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based BRT. He is joining industrial manufacturing company 3M as head of federal government affairs.

Staff Arrivals

Children’s Hospital Association — Dawn Wolff has joined the Children’s Hospital Association as chief innovation and transformation officer. She previously spent over 20 years at Children’s Mercy, most recently as vice president of strategy, innovation and partnerships.

Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) — Lukas Pietrzak has been named acting head of public policy at the $11 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based FBA. He previously worked in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) — Courtney Lang has been promoted to senior vice president of policy for trust, data and technology at the $22 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based ITI. She previously worked at the International Trade Administration.

Matt Ferren has also joined ITI as senior director of cybersecurity and supply chain risk management policy. He was most recently a cyber policy adviser at the Pentagon and previously worked for the Office of the National Cyber Director.

Managed Funds Association (MFA) — Bryson Kern has joined the $30 million-revenue, Washington, D.C.-based MFA as a vice president and senior counsel for regulatory affairs. He was most recently an attorney at law firm McDermott Will & Schulte. 

Community Oncology Alliance (COA) — Julie McDowell has joined COA as director of communications. She previously spent more than 16 years at the College of American Pathologists.