Washington, D.C. – The Society for Research in Child Development’s (SRCD) Governing Council is pleased to announce that Dr. Suzanne Le Menestrel has been appointed as the Executive Director. Dr. Le Menestrel has been acting as SRCD’s Interim Executive Director since December 2024 and initially joined the Society through her appointment to Director of Science Affairs in 2022. “We are thrilled to officially welcome Suzanne as Executive Director of SRCD,” said President Dr. Vonnie C. McLoyd. “Suzanne brings her scientific expertise and compassionate management style to ensure that SRCD’s values are upheld, and members’ needs are met. I look forward to our continued partnership in the years ahead.”
“Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of working with SRCD’s staff, members and the Governing Council to help further the Society’s mission to advance the developmental sciences,” said Executive Director, Dr. Suzanne Le Menestrel, CAE. “I’m honored to formally serve as the Executive Director as we continue to advance our program offerings for scholars, publish the leading child development research in the field, and convene critical Biennial and Special Topic Meetings to address and improve challenges in the field.” Throughout her tenure at SRCD, Dr. Le Menestrel has provided oversight of SRCD’s peer-reviewed journals, grants, awards, and fellowships; collaborated with the executive leadership team on special scientific initiatives; led professional development and scientific content on behalf of SRCD’s 4,000+ members; and built relationships with scientific collaborators, both within the U.S. and internationally.
Before joining SRCD, Dr. Le Menestrel was a Senior Program Officer in the Board on Children, Youth, and Families, at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine where she directed five consensus studies on the well-being of children and families. Prior to her tenure with the National Academies, she was the founding national program leader for youth development research at 4-H National Headquarters, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dr. Le Menestrel was also a founder of the Journal of Youth Development: Bridging Research and Practice and chaired its publications committee. She has published in numerous refereed journals and has been an invited member of several advisory groups including a research advisory group for the American Camp Association (ACA). She recently concluded a 3-year term as an elected member of the American Camp Association Board of Directors, serves on the Board of Directors for the Consortium of Social Science Associations, and is a volunteer mentor for the Dream Project.
Dr. Le Menestrel holds a B.S. in psychology from St. Lawrence University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in human development and family studies from The Pennsylvania State University. She also has a nonprofit management executive certificate from Georgetown University, and she is a certified association executive.
About SRCD
The Society for Research in Child Development is one of the world’s most prestigious and respected professional organizations in the field of child development. Founded by the National Academy of Sciences in 1933 as a multidisciplinary, not-for-profit, professional association, SRCD's membership consists of researchers, practitioners, and human development professionals from more than 60 countries. SRCD advances the developmental sciences and promotes the use of developmental research to improve human lives. This mission is achieved through a variety of programs, publications, and policy advocacy initiatives.