7.23.2024

Dear DBT Community-

We did it! Today, I write to you as the outgoing President of the Transitional Board of the WDBTA with feelings of pride and a deep sense of accomplishment. I am thrilled to announce that our organization’s transitional phase has successfully concluded, and the new WDBTA Board is now in place.

The establishment of this new board has been a lengthy and thorough process. In alignment with WDBTA by-laws, we successfully formed three regional chapters as legal entities: Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Ibero-America.

The delegates from our key expert committees, including the Research Committee (Julieta Azevedo, Portugal), Training and Standards Committee (Michaela Swales, UK),  Dissemination Committee (Andre Ivanoff, USA), and Treatment Integrity Committee (Emily Cooney, New Zealand), along with representatives from the three regional chapters—Europe (President: Martin Bohus, Germany; Deputy Leader: Luisa Weiner, France), Asia-Pacific (President: Shian Ling Keng, Malaysia; Deputy Leader: Chun Wang, China), and Ibero-America (President: Nathalia Vargas, Mexico; Deputy Leader: Vinicius Dornelles, Brazil)  —were integral to this process. This group, comprising the WDBTA Board members, was tasked with nominating candidates for our three key positions: President, Clerk, and Treasurer.

The candidates confirmed their acceptance following the nominations, and the board proceeded with the election. It is with great pleasure that I announce our new executive committee:

President: Michaela Swales (UK)
Clerk: Luisa Weiner (France)
Treasurer: Vinicius Dornelles (Brazil)

Work is currently underway to establish a North American chapter. However, since the chapter has not yet been legally formed, it was not included in the recent election process. In the interim, Armida Fruzzetti, representing the North American chapter, serves as an observer on the board.

The transitional board members who do not hold positions on the new WDBTA board will continue to support the new board in an advisory capacity. We are currently finalizing the responsibilities and terms of reference for the advisory committee.

I want to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing Transitional Board members: Martin Bohus, Katie Dixon-Gordon (Clerk), Tony DuBose (Treasurer), Alan Fruzzetti, Shireen Rizvi, Andre Ivanoff, and Wies Van den Bosch. Over the past five years, the Transitional Board has worked tirelessly to lay the foundation of the WDBTA Organization. Our efforts have included establishing the organization as a legal entity with by-laws, setting up a financial structure, creating a website, and helping to form regional chapters. Their commitment and dedication have brought us to this significant milestone.

As we welcome the new WDBTA Board, I am confident that their leadership and vision will advance the aims of the WDBTA Organization. I wish Michaela, Luisa, Vinicius, and the board the very best as they embark on this exciting journey. With these key players in place, I look forward to what I am confident that their tenure will ensure the growth, innovation, and continued success of the WDBTA.

I want to express gratitude and the deepest of respect to Marsha Linehan for her wisdom in developing DBT and her vision in leading us to establish a global DBT entity. The original planning group of the WDBTA (formerly referred to as the International DBT Association) played a crucial role in the launch of the WDBTA. This group has been meeting annually over the past 5+ years, skillfully navigating the interests of diverse stakeholders and resolving tensions when they arose.  Admittedly, years ago we were unsure if we would succeed but collegiality, friendships and perseverance won the day.  The core principles of DBT guided us in navigating our conflicts. Undoubtedly, the formation of expert committees and the election of the Transitional Board were significant steps towards the formation of the WDBTA.

I took on the role of President of the Transitional Board of the WDBTA in 2020. It has been exceptionally rewarding to be part of what we have created. As I look back on my tenure, I feel a great deal of satisfaction. I am proud of all we have accomplished together; it brings me joy to see how our new organization is thriving.

I want to thank all of the global DBT community for its support in the establishment of a WDBTA. Your support and dedication to the proliferation of Marsha’s dream, that has become our shared dream, is the secret sauce that’s kept us moving forward to such a worthwhile accomplishment.

Warm regards,
Shelley McMain
Outgoing President, Transitional Board, WDBTA