ADA governance evaluation sees extensive stakeholder engagement
Effort next moves from research phase to synthesis, analysis
In its fourth monthly update on the governance and organizational health evaluation, the American Dental Association highlighted the extensive stakeholder engagement achieved since the evaluation began in April.
Research by consulting firm Vista Cova, which the ADA engaged to conduct the evaluation, has included interviews, focus groups and surveys. These consisted of:
• 87 one-on-one interviews with ADA leaders and other stakeholders.
• Two focus groups, one with randomly selected ADA House of Delegates members and the other with randomly selected state executive directors.
• Two surveys that solicited responses from 669 total current and recent ADA and state leaders.
• A survey of 1,605 current and recently lapsed ADA members.
• A financial sustainability-focused survey of 99 stakeholders.
“Stakeholder engagement has been at the center of this evaluation, and it will continue to shape the recommendations to come,” ADA President Richard Rosato, D.M.D., and Executive Director Nader Nadershahi, D.D.S., M.B.A., Ed.D., wrote in the July 30 email to House members. “The final recommendations that emerge from the evaluation will be firmly grounded in this extensive input from your colleagues across the organization. Careful consideration of, and openness to, these recommendations at the 2027 House of Delegates will honor the voices and commitment of the 2,000 stakeholders who helped shape this work.”
The evaluation, which was authorized by House Resolution 521H-2025, expands on previous governance studies by examining not only the ADA’s governance structure but also its financial health and sustainability as well as its leadership and management culture and accountability. The evaluation now moves from the research phase to synthesis and analysis.
On July 29, the Governance and Organizational Workgroup — composed of 21 ADA representatives and other stakeholders — met to review three preliminary research reports from Vista Cova on governance; financial assessment and sustainability; and accountability and leadership culture. The workgroup is serving in an advisory capacity as Vista Cova conducts the evaluation, and its subgroups will continue to review the reports as the firm drafts final versions.
Vista Cova will next present its data findings to the ADA Board of Trustees on Aug. 21 and then focus on blending those findings with industry-wide best practices as it builds draft recommendations with advisory assistance from the workgroup. Feedback received from ADA delegates and other stakeholders during a Vista Cova-facilitated town hall Oct. 9 in Indianapolis will further shape and refine the draft work.
The firm, with input from the workgroup, is expected to finalize its recommendations in December. The Board will then consider the recommendations in January 2027.
From February through October 2027, the ADA plans to launch broadscale communications efforts to socialize the final report and recommendations, sharing the contents and educating all interested parties about the restructuring that is possible. The Board and executive director may take action on those recommendations that fall within their respective purviews and do not require House permission. In October 2027, the House will receive a final Board report with proposed resolutions, presenting all of Vista Cova’s findings and final recommendations for the House’s consideration.
“We have reached a large milestone in this process and wish to recognize and celebrate the time and effort many of you have given toward shaping the future of the ADA,” Drs. Rosato and Nadershahi wrote.
