American Dental Association Announces Executive Director Search

CHICAGO, Dec. 16, 2020 — The American Dental Association (ADA) announced it has retained the executive search firm Korn Ferry to lead the search for its next Executive Director. The announcement comes after current ADA Executive Director Kathleen T. O’Loughlin, D.M.D., M.P.H. announced her decision to retire at the end of 2021 after 12 years of service.
 
The ADA Board of Trustees approved an Executive Director Search Committee to work with Korn Ferry to conduct a robust search. The ADA is seeking a leader with extensive knowledge of the health care industry, the dental delivery system, governmental health related agencies, and/or the profession of dentistry, as well as association management and nonprofit financial, operational, and strategic planning skills. The position does not require candidates to be dentists. The full job specification can be found here.
 
“I thank Dr. O’Loughlin for her long-running commitment to our great organization and we are grateful she has given us more than a year’s notice so we can conduct a robust search,” said ADA President Daniel J. Klemmedson, D.D.S., M.D. “As we look to the future, we are committed to finding the most qualified candidate to build on Dr. O’Loughlin’s work to power the profession of dentistry and assist dentists in advancing the health of their patients.”
 
The not-for-profit ADA is the nation’s largest dental association, representing 163,000 dentist members and serving as the premier source of oral health information.  The next Executive Director will continue the ADA’s work to advance the oral and overall health of the public.
 
For more information about the position, please contact Kelly Ashmore at kelly.ashmore@kornferry.com or view the job specification.
 
Editor’s Note: Reporters are invited to follow the ADA on Twitter @AmerDentalAssn

About the ADA

The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing 161,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The monthly The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) is the ADA's flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit ADA.org. For more information on oral health, including prevention, care and treatment of dental disease, visit the ADA's consumer website MouthHealthy.org.