American Counseling Association Announces Syvonne Carter as Interim CEO

Alexandria, Va. (May 6, 2025) – The American Counseling Association (ACA), the largest U.S. membership organization serving professional counselors and counselors in training, is pleased to announce the appointment of Syvonne Carter as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective May 12, 2025.

Carter brings over 15 years of strategic leadership experience in healthcare and nonprofit management to ACA. Her extensive background in strategic leadership, program development, and driving organizational growth within healthcare and nonprofits has supported operational excellence and continuous improvement within the organizations she has led.

“I am delighted to join the ACA and am committed to upholding its mission and vision as a champion, advocate and voice for mental wellness. This is a critical moment for us, and I believe our collective strength and support are key to making a positive impact.”

Prior to joining ACA, Carter served as interim president and CEO at 26Health, Inc. Her leadership resulted in a significant increase in the organization's endowment, financial management systems optimization, and mobile testing unit launch. She also held progressive leadership roles at the Department of Veterans Affairs over her 20-year tenure, including acting associate director and chief medical administration officer for the North Florida/South Georgia VA Health System.

Carter’s tenure at the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation led to an increase in client engagement and optimized daily operations, significantly boosting the foundation's reach and program impact. She holds certifications in interim executive leadership, non-profit leadership and project management, among others.

"We are thrilled to welcome Syvonne Carter as our Interim CEO," said Christine Suniti Bhat, PhD, ACA’s 2024-2025 president. "Her proven history of strategic vision setting, steady leadership and community engagement makes her the ideal person to guide our organization through this period of transition."

For more information, contact news@counseling.org or karen@addispr.com.

About the American Counseling Association
Founded in 1952, the American Counseling Association (ACA) is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. ACA represents more than 60,000 members and is the world’s largest association exclusively representing professional counselors in various practice settings. Driven by the belief that all people can benefit from the power of counseling, ACA’s mission is to promote the professional development of counselors, advocate for counselors, and ensure that ethical, culturally inclusive practices protect our members’ clients and all people who seek counseling services.