APA CEO Arthur Evans Will Retire in January 2028

The trade association will begin a national search to replace the executive after his 11-year tenure.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in People

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a solid geometric plinth, representing the institutional stability of a professional association leadership transition. — American Psychological Association CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr. will retire in January 2028, prompting the board to launch a 15-month search for his successor. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Arthur C. Evans Jr. will retire as CEO of the American Psychological Association on January 3, 2028. The board is initiating a national search to ensure a 15-month leadership transition for the 190,000-member organization.

Why it matters

Evans, who took the helm in 2017, oversaw a period of significant growth in membership and media visibility that required a strategic pivot toward behavioral science technology. The long transition period aims to maintain organizational stability during the shift in executive leadership.

The APA currently supports 190,000 members and affiliates, an increase from 114,000 in 2017. Under the outgoing CEO, the organization expanded its reach to include 6 million records in the PsycInfo database and 90 published journals.

The players

Arthur C. Evans Jr.

The current CEO of the American Psychological Association who has served since 2017.

American Psychological Association

A scientific and professional organization representing psychologists that publishes journals and manages the PsycInfo database.

The details

Evans will continue to lead the Washington-based association for 15 months while the Board of Directors conducts a national search for his successor. His tenure focused on digitizing the association’s intellectual output and establishing the Center for Behavioral Science and AI to modernize the organization's research capabilities.

March 2017: Arthur C. Evans Jr. began his tenure as CEO.
2019: The Council of Representatives established a new strategic direction.
September 22, 2026: The APA announced the upcoming retirement of Arthur Evans.
January 3, 2028: Arthur C. Evans Jr. retires as CEO.

Market Landscape

This leadership transition follows the strategic direction established by the APA Council of Representatives in 2019 to modernize the association’s research and digital footprint. The transition is designed to sustain the momentum built toward the Center for Behavioral Science and AI.

Operators of large professional associations should monitor the APA’s forthcoming search criteria, as the organization’s recent focus on AI-driven data products signals a shift in the required skill set for trade group executives. Anticipate a 15-month transition phase as the board balances operational continuity with a new strategic vision.

The takeaway

The upcoming change in leadership at the APA underscores the growing importance of technical literacy for organizational executives. Monitor the search committee's progress for signals regarding the association’s long-term priorities following the 2028 handoff.