Prioritizing Mental Health in the Workplace

To stand a chance in today’s world, organizations must invest in people in ways that attract and nurture the very best talent. That’s no easy task, but it’s precisely what keeps Sara Whitman’s mind turning and coming to work each day with unbounding energy and passion. Sara is a founding member of the executive team at Hot Paper Lantern. She leads the agency’s employee engagement and internal communications work for its global client base. As Chief People Officer, she also runs the talent management and human resources function at the organization. In her role, Sara marries business and communication strategy, vision, and operations, with the skills, experience, and interests of people. Sara is a member of the International Coach Federation and the Society for Human Resource Management. She holds a PHR certification and is a graduate of the Erickson Coaching International coaching program. Sara is also the founder of At the Start, a coaching consultancy supporting teens and adults as they navigate their lives and early career decisions.

Tara Davis is Director of Staff Well-Being and Engagement at the American Psychological Association, headquartered in Washington, D.C. In this role, she strategically produces programs, activities and communications that energize employees and connect their work to the organization’s mission, increase satisfaction and fulfillment in the workplace, and grow staff commitment to the organization. With more than a decade of experience utilizing research and measurement to cultivate employees to embrace healthier, more meaningful lives at work, Davis is a thought leader in employee well-being, psychologically healthy workplaces, employee engagement, internal communications and meaningful experience design. Davis has shared her expertise with National Public Radio, American Society of Association Executives, Grant Professionals Association, Furman University, Fundraising HayDay podcast, and D.C. Public Schools, among other organizations. In 2014, The Washington Post awarded the APA a Top Workplace Award, In 2018, Davis was awarded a Thoth Award from the Public Relations Society of America and the Raymond D. Fowler Award, the most prestigious employee honor at APA.