Kayla Collins Aims for AOTA's Board of Directors Appointment

Colleagues and Friends,

I am excited to announce my candidacy for a position on the Board of Directors for the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)! With more than 15 years of leadership experience in academic, clinical, and community settings, I bring a wealth of expertise in strategic planning, governance, and member engagement. As Program Director for Baylor University's Entry-level OTD program, I have successfully developed strategic initiatives, cultivated collaboration among diverse stakeholders, and advanced educational innovations that support the next generation of occupational therapy practitioners. My board service—including leadership roles with the Florida Occupational Therapy Association (FOTA), a nonprofit serving foster families, and a countywide Falls Coalition—has prepared me to help AOTA grow and thrive as the leading organization for our profession.

If elected, I will focus on creating opportunities for meaningful member engagement, expanding professional development initiatives, and strengthening AOTA's advocacy efforts. Specifically, I will support the development of mentorship programs to bridge the gap between students, new graduates, and experienced practitioners, and I will prioritize addressing workforce challenges such as recruitment, retention, and burnout. I also envision leveraging technology to enhance professional collaboration and education, ensuring occupational therapy practitioners are prepared for roles in emerging areas like public health and technology while continuing to solidify our vital contributions to the interdisciplinary care team in more traditional practice areas. Through transparent communication and inclusive decision-making, I will work to amplify AOTA's impact, both for members and the broader public, by sharing real-life success stories, increasing public awareness of the value of occupational therapy, and advocating for policies that expand access to care.

Voting is open from January 31 to February 21, for current AOTA members, and I would be honored to have your support. Together, we can ensure AOTA remains a vibrant and forward-thinking organization, dedicated to empowering its members and advancing the role of occupational therapy in promoting health, well-being, and quality of life. Please make your voice heard and cast your vote!

Sincerely,

Kayla Collins, EdD, OTR, Program Director, and Clinical Associate Professor