Susan Douglas

Meet Susan

Susan Douglas, Ph.D., is a Senior Advisor at McChrystal Group. Dr. Douglas is a people and process expert and has helped organizations leverage human-centered practices to uncomplicate “wicked problems” and cultivate resilient teams to spark innovation and drive sustainable growth for decades. 

With more than twenty years at the intersection of executive leadership, organizational learning, team effectiveness, high-impact communication, trauma-informed care, design thinking, and digital transformation, Dr. Douglas supports executives, senior leaders, and teams in a range of industries, including but not limited to health care, technology, higher education, and the government.

Dr. Douglas is an associate professor at Vanderbilt University, where she conducts research and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in leadership, designing and leading teams, and program evaluation. She has written over 40 peer-reviewed publications and several book chapters. She began her career at Harvard Medical School and Children’s Hospital Boston after completing post-doctoral fellowships at Harvard University and Harvard Medical School. She holds a degree in clinical psychology and health services research from Vanderbilt University (Ph.D.).

Previously, Dr. Douglas worked with UNICEF and the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma with field experience in Bosnia, Cambodia, and Hong Kong. As a psychologist, she specialized in trauma-informed care, which informs her current focus on resilience for leaders, teams, and organizations. Dr. Douglas is an advisor to Mirah, a behavioral health technology company. She serves her community as a board member for non-profits and national and international professional organizations. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her family.