Washington, D.C. – The Society for Research in Child Development is pleased to announce Suzanne Le Menestrel, Ph.D., CAE as the new Director of Science Affairs. In this role, Dr. Le Menestrel will work closely with the Executive Director, Society Leadership, and its members to support SRCD’s core scientific mission to advance developmental science and promote its use to improve human lives and further its strategic goals.
As the Director of Science Affairs, beginning September 6, 2022, Dr. Le Menestrel’s core duties will include oversight of SRCD’s four journals, solicitation and review of proposals from SRCD members for science-based initiatives including the Biennial and Special Topics Meetings, and projects such as the Small Grants Program for Early Career Scholars, and the Towards 2044: Horowitz Early Career Scholar Program as well as building relationships with SRCD funders.
“We’re pleased to welcome Dr. Le Menestrel to our growing team,” said Saima Hedrick, MPH, CAE, Executive Director of SRCD. “Her broad expertise at integrating science into organizations to benefit children and developing scientific agendas will bring a fresh perspective to the Society.”
Previously, Dr. Le Menestrel was a Senior Planning, Strategy, and Impact Officer for the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) / Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Association for Children where she provided leadership for organizational wide planning, research, data collection and analysis, evaluation, and performance and accountability efforts. Dr. Le Menestrel was also 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.
Dr. Le Menestrel was 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 is 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 McLean Community Center Governing Board, is an elected member of the ACA Board of Directors, serves on the Board of Directors for Brigade of Mercy, a volunteer-run charitable non-profit, and is a volunteer mentor for the Dream Project VA. She holds a B.S. in psychology from St. Lawrence University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in human development and family studies from Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Le Menestrel also has a nonprofit management executive certificate from Georgetown University, and she is a certified association executive.
“As a longtime member of SRCD I am now looking forward to leading SRCD’s Science Team,” said Dr. Le Menestrel. “I’m passionate about developmental science – both professionally and personally and look forward to helping SRCD advance the field in this new role.”
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 consists of SRCD's membership consists of researchers, practitioners, and human development professionals from more than 60 countries. SRCD advances the developmental sciences and promote the use of developmental research to improve human lives. This mission is achieved through a variety of programs, publications, and policy advocacy initiatives.
After September 6, 2022, Dr. Le Menestrel can be reached at slemenestrel@srcd.org.