CEO for the Day
The APhA Foundation's CEO for the Day program supports rising pharmacy leaders who are committed to APhA, their state pharmacy association and their communities, and who desire exposure to leadership experiences. The day-long program brings the participant to APhA Headquarters in Washington, DC, to serve as "CEO for the Day" and interact with executive leadership in one-on-one meetings and group meetings that provide insights on association governance, legislative and advocacy activities, and other areas related to organizational leadership.
I had a wonderful time as CEO for the Day! I left the day full of even more inspiration and excitement for our profession. I gained new perspectives and insights through my legislator visits on Capitol Hill and my one-on-one meetings with APhA and APhA Foundation leaders. - Deanna Tran, 2022 CEO for the Day Recipient
Eligibility & How to Apply
Applicants should have:
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Active APhA membership.
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Completed their Doctor of Pharmacy degree at least five years prior to applying.
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Demonstrated involvement in their state pharmacy association.
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Demonstrated public service to their community.
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Demonstrated interest in leadership.
The recipient will be notified in August and the CEO for the Day program will be held September 15-16.
CEO for the Day Recipients
2025 - Tessa Schnelle
Tessa Schnelle, PharmD, MPH graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from MidAmerica Nazarene University, completed her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the University of Kansas, followed by a Master of Public Health degree at George Washington University specializing in health policy and community-based intervention. Schnelle previously served as Lead Clinical Pharmacist at Osawatomie State Hospital. She is currently a member of the Cardinal Health Innovative Delivery Service team appointed as the Director of Pharmacy at Cass Regional Medical Center, and a Clinical Pharmacist at The University of Kansas Health System.
Schnelle is an advocate for equitable healthcare services in all healthcare settings that innovatively address underserved patient populations and community needs. She currently serves as the President of the Kansas Pharmacy Foundation, Past President of the Kansas Pharmacists Association (KPhA), Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Taskforce Chair for Phi Lambda Sigma – Pharmacy Leadership Society and is the New Practitioner Community Vice-Chair and Board of Trustee New Practitioner Officer-Elect for the American Pharmacists Association (APhA).
In addition to her formal service Schnelle completed her master’s thesis on the pharmacy deserts in the state of Kansas and serves as an advocate and speaker regarding the current impacts of pharmacy closures in rural Kansas. She also works as a contract staff on the Kansas Pharmacists Association’s Kansas Fights Addiction Grant called Under Par, providing prescriber education on evidence-based opioid prescribing, maximizing the use of non-opioid alternatives and the safe and effective deprescribing of opioids. Schnelle has a heart for getting resources to the most pressing public health concerns creating innovative impacts that lead to lasting solutions. She resides in Louisburg, Kansas with her husband and three teenage sons.
“It is an honor to be selected to serve as APhA CEO of the Day. I would like to thank the APhA Foundation for the opportunity to grow as a new practitioner and state association leader through this program. I look forward to applying lessons learned in my current leadership roles and exploring the opportunity for future collaboration.”
About the Boyle-Love Rising Leaders Fund
"Not everyone has the opportunity to complete a residency or fellowship, but as they progress in their careers and develop their leadership and advocacy in their states and communities, they may be looking for expanded connections and experiences. ...We hope others will join us to support this and other programs which advance our Rising Leaders."
- Cynthia Boyle and Ray Love
The Boyle-Love Rising Leaders Fund was established in 2022 by Cynthia J. Boyle and Raymond C. Love to support the APhA Foundation's CEO for the Day experience.
Cynthia Boyle, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, FASCP is a professor emeritus in the Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.
Raymond Love, PharmD, BCPP, FASHP is a professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and holds a secondary appointment as a professor at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine. He also serves as Director of the School of Pharmacy’s Mental Health Program and Vice Chair, Collaborative Initiatives, Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research.
